New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-11
MOT OPENLY MAKING WAR"

Men reduced 70 desperate personal straits, or
bearing with difficulty n dreadful burden of
public responsibility, are sometimes able 10
tighten care for a moment by an indulgence Ia
a grim sort Of humor which IS not wholly in
congruous with their surroundings. This
perience Of the operations Of the human mind
IS suggested by a sentence In Sehor Sagasta's
interview with the Madrid correspondent of
"'rhe London Morning Post" Having said that.
now that the struggle has begun, 'the Amer-
cans continue the same tactics" he explains
his meaning by adding: Instead Of openly
making war, they encourage IN every way the
troubles in Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philip
"pines and IL they could they would stir up
IAN instruction in the Peninsula Now we do
not really suppose that SenOr Sagasta was CON
sciously facetious IN remarking so late Mon
day. when full reports Of recent occurrences IN
the near neghborhood Of Manila had doubtless
reached him, that the Americans are not openly
making war. The rest of his conversation was
grave to the point Of gloom: and, moreover
there has been nothing TO indicate that his tenn
per ever leads him to jest about affairs Of State
And yet how otherwise can his idea of what
does not constitute open war be explained?
II IS true that Admiral Dewey did not lead
MS SQUADRON past lNc lOTtlItNllOUS anu over
the mines into Manila Bay In a boisterous man
ner. There a certain element OF secrecy
IN the passage for it was made at night, though
the moon was shining. But his destination had
been pretty we'll known, and except for the
silent slipping Of his ships into position we
really cannot admit that his errand was &C
cOmplisheh in anything but the most open man
ner In fact, we should say that If there ever
l..
Of the world It was the fight which resulted in
the destruction. In less than half the daylight
hours of May l. Of the entire fleet and bat
terles which defended the Oriental possessions
of Spain. Furthermore. there is a strong i'm
preston, at least in this country that the first
important news from Porto Rico will show that
Admiral Sampson has been openly making war
in that vicinity 10 the best Of his ability. Just
how much of that sort Of war he Is able 10
make depends upon the amount Of work which
lie finds 10 do or course, If SPANS long-re-
crutcd Atlantic Squadron has not been coming
in this direction during the last ten slow days,
but has been making IT'S way back from Cape
Vcrd to Cadz, as was reported yesterday, Ad-
miral Sampson may not be able to controvert
Seiior Sagasta's proposition to the extent which
might be desired but sure there will be
no reason TO complain of any lack Of openness
in what he is permitted TO undertake.
The cable Is occasionally guilty Of queer
freaks, and IL It were possible we should like
10 believe that Sefor Sagasta actually spoke OF
the Spaniards. instead Of the Americans as not
openly making war. There would be more
than mere suggestion of truth In a statement
TO that effect. TO speak strictly, even Admiral
Montojo did not openly make war at Manila.
Perhaps he intended to do So seeking his ad-
vcrsary on the high sea for the purpose; but he
was at least day too late for that. and wha,
he and his brave men really did was to take an
awful beating. AS for the rest Of SPANS war
ships. they have bccn so far ms this country
is informed. backing and filling around the
ocean with the apparent object of avoiding
close quarters az long as possible. However.
we consider. even as respects them. that open
war v actually On. and II Ssnor Sagasta iInag.