Evening journal., 1898-03-02
TAKE YOUR TIME.

The neBOlldliVhs bDNNNNN '
try and Spain over the destruction OF
the Maine have now reached an acute
staee. and nothing but the exercise OF
moderation and wisdom can prevent
resort To arms Public feeling runs
high in both countries. Many Ameri-
cans are clamOring for war, and the
same feeling Is rife among the Spanish
people. Who do not appreciate their i'm
potency in dealing with such a nation
as this II we weredispOsed to ignorethe
rights of the matter and resort to arms,
regardless Of what Spain were to ofer
as satisfaction for the real or imagined
grievance Of this country against her.
Lord Wolseley, commander-in-chief
of the British army, man who has not
only been. concerned in war but also In
timately acquainted with the causes
leading up to it at various times, has
been asked for his opinion Of the pres
ent international complications, and
his words, which are as follows, are
worthy OF careful considerations:
do not as vet believe there is any
was not due to accident. My own view
is that the bulk Of evidence will ulti-
mately incline to support the theory OF
an accidental explosion on board the
Maine. but until the results Of the oifi-
cial investigation are published the
whole subject must remain involved In
uncertainty. If, however it should be
demonstrated beyond all question that
the Maine was blown up by a torpedo
or mine in the harbOr OF Havana, II
does not follow that there must be war
between the United States and Spain.
There would be no occasion for war.
Spain should not be held responsible
for an act not her own, but doubtless
that OF some treacherOus conspirator.
or course as to the question OF proper
indemnity the matter would be other
wise, but as to war between two ma
tions, / repeat, there would be no cause
for IL. If the accident theory must
finally be abandoned, the act of an in
diyidual working by stealth could not
be construed mo an act OF the Spanish
Government and nation and, therefore,
10 be regarded as sufficient ground for
war. The very idea is absurd. II one
of Great Britains war ships, while an
chored in New York harbor were to be
destroyed by a bomb directed by a
crazy Irishman Great Britain would
never dream of declaring war against
the United States.
The following expression from Henri
Rochefort the notable French editor,
will doubtless meet with the approval
Of the jingoes, for he is, in addition to
being an ardent Cuban sympathizer, a
French jingoist OF the most pronounced
type. There is a marked contrast be-
tween the quiet and dignifled words OF
Lord Wolseley and those OF the exclt-
able Frenchman. Were he in this
country he would be one Of the most
fiery OF war advocates, regardless OF
anything and everything:
My sympathies in connection witt
the Maine disaster are with the brave
American people Considering theil
loss. | can appreciate their wrath. A
the mere thought that there has beer
foul play the loss of the Maine means
gain OF Cubas independence. w
must have no more talk about auton
omy. America is now forced to inter
vene In the interests of civilization
and free a brave people struggling va
liantly against the stupid tyranny o
Spanish domination. In doing so tn
United States would have the mora
support of the civilized world. No Eu
ropean power will cooperate wit
Spain. England has too much on he
hands in India and China. Germany
navy has no extraordinary pOtenc.
and II the miserable little toad who sit
upon the German throne were to sen
any of his legions to the United State
they would be quickly crushed by
brave people who are second to none
their love OF liberty and devotion
country. England will not fight. 81
has not forgotten the Alabama anal
Germany may bluster but she will n,
do anything. Russia and Austria ha'
no interest in the matter. If any Fren,
statesman should dare to propose tn
France ought to aid Spain i'm her 4
iquitOus war against Cuban liberty, Il
political career would be destroyed fo
ever. Spain Is exhausted. Her financ
have given out. Her army is a wre
and her moral stamina is gone. r
time has come for America to eth
annex Cuba or free Il. The first mig
be wise, but the second would be mol
-beautiful-and would proclaim to t
world that the United States is t
NANNi oArANA VI nutANne aINulu ntI Coz
and the guardian angel Of their lib,
ties Let America do her duty witho
fear or faltering. Let her free Gu
and thus win the gratitude Of an ema
cipated race, as well as,the admirati
and love Of all loyal and free hearts I
world over Vive Cuba librel VI
iAmeriquel
There can be no doubt that Presid,
Mckinley and his advisers are ca
fully considering every step which Il
are taking They are not inclined
rush this country into war until Il
have ample justification for so dol
They are inclined to give Spain L
fair play which they would demi
and expect at the hands OF anot
country. No individual or nat
should be convicted unheard. If II
demonstrated conclusively that Sp
was responsible for the destruction
the Maine we have a whole eternity
Whfrlh fo ohfain redress and there &c