New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-22
A DISCERNING GERMAN VIEW
THE REAL CAUSES OF THE WAR Az
PRECIATED.
A LEADING NEWSPAPERS JUST ESTIMATE OF
THE CAUSES AT ISSUE BETWEEN THE
UNITED STATES AND SPAIN.
From The Frankfort Zeitung.


UNITED STATES AND SPAIN.
From The Frankfort Zeitung
Hostities have begun between Spain and the
United States without formal declaration OF
war. This fact is perplexng both TO the ideal'st
and the realst. That Spain should be at war ID
not strange-one is accustomed to this IN me
case of a European monarchy but that the
great American Republic. which, in the 10
years OF its existence. has taken TO arms but
twice and then only under comrusion. should,
as 1t were. force a war. Is truly remarkable.
Spain Justly enjoys little sympathy, and can ex-
pect no material aid. The most she can expect
is more or less sincere expression of pity
which is added to the explanation of the abso-
lutte justice OF her cause. The United States.
on the other hand. is accused of the most fla
grant offence against international law ana
upon her is turned the wrath of great many
eager defenders Of justice-Of men who have
forgotten that the political and socEl develop
ment of Europe has been an uninterrupted
chain OF international law-breaking and VINO
no longer remember how many Of these njustices
they themselves have defended Truly, the ny
pccrisy of which the Americans are accused has
number of representatives even IN Europe.
II the United States begins a war we may rest
assured that IL is not begun In the frivolous
way in which II has been time and again. be-
gun by European monarchs. TO whom war has
often been but the satisfaction of q whim or a
mere pastime. The Spanish American war has
more profound causes-causes OF which the in
tegcnt students Of history are not ignorant
1t is true that the decision of the United States
has been influenced by material interests and
lHdl DOullCS ana Hnanclal SppcUIatlonS nave
played part. but these however skfully they
may have been able To take advantage Of the
existing conditions could never have forced the
entire American people into policy Of arms.
The American people who, in a large majority,
supported its representatives and Government.
and who now unanimously advocate determined
action. were actuated by the conviction that a
stop must be put to the horrible state Of affairs
brought about by Spanish misrule in Cuba. at
the very gates of the country. and by which
many American either ms constantly being
terrible
Of the plan OF determination of General Weyler
called forth in America a storm Of Indignation
which cannot be appeased by protests or dipLo-
matte expression, but calls for immediate
ton These conditions must be ended" has
long been the sentiment which has now finally
materiazed
II one compares with this the way in which.
two years ago, Europe permitted the cold
blooded murder of 100000 Armenians by the
Sultan. with whom she is even now on the best
terms one cannot but rejoice that there is yet
III the world o. people among whom humanity Is
not an empty term. ard who. in their just in
disnation at committed outrage. can take TO
the sword. The Americans have never paid
much attention to diplomatic forms ard quib-
bles. independently they conceive their own
opinions, independently they create their
politics and Diplomatic code: They have the
material and the power for this. Wentally and
physically. They proceed in the direction in
which they consider II their duty to proceed. and
pay little attention to the approval or disap
prevail of Europe. The Americans want the
Cuban outrages stopped in one way or the other
II words are OF no avail force will be used
What becomes of Spain in the course Of events
Is no ones business but her own.
SPAIN REAPING WHAT SHE SOWED.
Spain IS reaping what she has sowed. A chap
ter of the historS of the world is going
which has been inevitable. The Spaniard could
conquer, but not COLOMBO. Even the very Span
iards who discovered America filed the world
with indignation at their brutalities. They de-
stroyed an ancient civilization and sacked peace
full hourishng kingdoms; in the same spirit OF
bloodthirst and greed for gold did they roast
AZtecS MOnteZt:ma
people for the sake OF forcing more gold from
them The history Of Spanish America is Q
continuous tale Of murder and rapine. AS soon
as the American Inhabitants became conscious
OF their position. rebellion and separation began.
In this way Spain has gradually lost all her pos
sessions on the American continent. and in this
way will she now lose Cuba. the Pearl of the
Antilles.
Long enough has she had the opportunity Of
quIeting the rising storm by making Cuba free
and happy. but she has not availed herself of it,
| That system which at home prosecuted Jews
and Moors opposed every free sentiment re-
duced almost the entire population TO beggary
and even now makes Of instruments OF
torture. could not be system of freedom. en-
lghtenment and public welfare in Cuba In
the waters Of Cuba two entirely mutually op-
posed stages Of civilization are constantly
nrought into contact with each other In the
Nortn Is the free American. with his sentiments
| OF equality and independence his striving for
education and activity: opposed to him is the
Spaniard. who has learned nothing and can be
or no advantage 10 mankind.
The Spanish Kingdom proudly calls itself a
Catholic monarchy and has strven 10 act
as the defender of religion-the servant OF the
clergy. In spain the clerical ideal has material
ICED; the clergy is ll-powerful the Government
her humble servant. The rest is In the same
plan-the ruling classes unscrupulously seeking
selfish ends. the people impoverished coarse and
ignorant out Of 1100oOO inhabitants barely
| 5.O~.eD can read and write. To those few
sehoolmasters that Spain does possess neither the
state nor the community pays a sum large
enough to keep them from starving. At the
same time 32,O0o monks and 1900 nuns are llv-
ing most spendidly; they have everything when
ever and how they wish IT, Spain may have ar
| lists and orators. but she has no mental energy
| and no power because she lacks freedom OF
mind people that can only humble prayers
and finds pleasure in bullfghts can never found
civilization and public welfare
In the present war free. Protestant Anglo
Saxons are opposed to Latin ration which is
ruled by TIE clergy. 1t Is a new chapter of a
| conflict old in history Who will and must be
the final victor ii is easy to see. Ii Is true that
for the beginning. Spain has in her control
| larger and better trained bodies of soldiers than
| the United States; but the Union can certainly
| procure these and possesses. at all events more
endurance because she is not only superior in
population. but is In control Of almost mex
| haustible resources whereas Spain is at the
very beginning Of the war almost bankrupt
IMPORTANT STEP IN AMERICAN POLITICS.
The task the United States has undertaken in
proceeding to free Cuba from the Spanish yoke
Is certainly most important step in the devel-
opment OF the politics OF the American hemi-
sphere The doctrine America for the Ameri-
cans is made to apply not only to the conti-
nent but to the islands well. Cuba is geo.
graphically the most important and the nlisrule
J OF the Spanish on that island has long enough
been challenging American Interference. 1t
would be waste OF energy to make too many
conjectures as to the possibilities of the war. but
one thing is assured an easy victory would GER
tainly encourage the Americans to continue in
this new policy. They would attempt further
| liberations and would further strengthen their
system of self-satisied exclusveness. This is
sufficient why the European States
should though observing strict neutrality keep
wary eye or happenings over there
! For the Americans however the same law ex.
lists which has prevailed throughout the entire
history Of mankind and the abuse OF which has
ever been revenged most terribly on nations
and monarchs-that is the law OF temperance.