The herald., 1898-06-28
SPAIN DEMORALIZED
European Governments Will Let Her
Settle Her Own Troubles

NEW YORK, June ga special to the
Tribune from Washington says:
In view of the increasing frequency with
which rumors of possible peace conditions
are entering into the discussion of semi
official and inspired European journals,
considerable significance is attached to the
statement by member of the cabinet that
no proposition would be for moment en-
tertained by the United States at this time
which did not involve Spain's absolute re-
linquishment of sovereignty over Cuba,
Porto Rico and the Philippine Islands. The
probable attitude of the United States
to these former colonial possessions of
Spain in the future this authority declin I'd
to discuss, but in his opinion the complete
eradication of Spanish influence and inter-
est, so far as these islands are concerned,
had already become foregone conclusion
and the United States would not at any time
hereafter permit Spain to enter into any
negotiation regarding them.
Regarding the ultimate terms of peace
which the United States may find it nee
essary to exact in case the expensive con-
f1ict Is prolonged many months, involving
the necessity of extended American opera
tions against the peninsula itself or it's
closer colonial establishments, only the
most indefinite discussion is just now in
dulged in. The irretrievable loss to the
Spanish of their last American foothold,
as we'll as their ill-governed establishments
in the Pacific, has been brought about by
the United States. Reluctant to be laid
open to the accusation of any desire for
territorial aggrandizement, any suggestion
of interference by the friends of Spain as
to the ultimate disposition of the West In
dian Islands or the Philippines is sure to be
repelled by the United States in the most
unequivocal and decisive manner.
The officials of the State Department
exhibit confidence, apparently based upon
convincing assurances, that Spain has in
reality less to expect from one or two Euro
pean nations than is warranted by the in
depreciation put upon various statements
attributed to leading men or published III
papers having shaky regulations of tre-
mendous inspiration, and little concern is
now displayed In this country over the
emanatiOns from sources which have been
more than once discredited in the last six
months. The persistence with which the
Spaniards have been trying to make capital
out of the unfriendly expressions in GER
tain European localities considered to be
commercial rivals of the United States has
ceased to be regarded as more than anus
ing, or in some recent instances perhaps
pathetic.
The third change in the Spanish govern
ment in less than three months is looked
upon as indisputable proof of the wide
divergence of opinion if not decentralization
that is rapidly increasing in Spain, and is
indicative of an impending collapse which
will terminate the futile attempt to main
tain control of her colonies when the power
of governing her home possessions has al
most vanished. The presumption that
European governments might seize the op-
portunity after the capitulation of Santiago
and the destruction of Admiral Cervera' S
fleet to endeavor to ascertain from the
United States what terms of peace would be
acceptable, is now believed to have been
replaced by the other extreme alternative
of their sounding Spain as to the sacrifices
she is ready to make, coupled with the ad-
vice that it is imperative upon her to under
take the immediate satisfaction of Ameri-
can demands.