The leader., 1898-03-16
MAI. MILLSAPS VIEWS.
Doesn't Think There will be War
with Spain.

yune.
A very interesting interview had
to-day with Major r. w. Millsaps,
on the situation, is contained be.
low. Major Millsaps is president
of the Capital State Bauk of this
city, and possibly the largest bust
mess operator in the State of Mis-.
sissippi. He is a man of thorough
education, a graduate in law from
Harvard University; a native and
lifelong resident of Mississippi ;
was an officer In the Confederate
service; q man of sObriety of judg.
ment; a real statesman in the
broad grasp of national and inter.
national questions, and q student
of wide historical and philosophical
reading. To this Major Millsaps
has added stores of information by
foreign travel. He has amassed a
great fortune since the war, and
his judgment in business affairs
aud public policy Is much sought
after. Some of his friends think
he would make a superb secretary
of the treasury in any Presidents
cabinet.
"I do not think" said Major Mill.
saps to the Picsyune correspon.
dent, "that there will be war.
Both Spain aud the United States
appreciate the consequences OF
such a calamity, and understand
they would eventually be held to q
terrible accountability by their
people if they should yield to IRE
sp0nsible jing0ism, and permit the
countries to 60 to war without just
cause. Then, there has been no
casus bell, and none Is premedi.
tated.
"The regency of Spain, accord.
ing to my observation, has been
conciliatory, near to the point Of
humiliation, in her concessions and
endeavors to avoid incurring the
ill-will of the United States.
Gas to the Maine disaster, doubt.
less Spain had no connection with
it and heartily deplores it, and if
controversy about indemnity should
arise, that question would be re.
ferred to arbitration in the event
the two countries failed to agree,
which is improbable. The action
of Congress in placing $50, 900, 600
in the hands of tho President to
be used at his discretion for the
public defense is patriotic and
wise, but it does not necessarily
por tend war, but rather to guard
against it.
"It may we'll be claimed that the
Mckinley administration stands
for the stupendous business inter.
ests of the country, which appeal
for peace; and it can be safely
trusted with this fund, and not be
led and prodded into measures
likely to involve war. While war
is not premeditated, it cannot be
reasonably said that the situation
is entirely free from danger. With
the public mind more or less dis.
turbed and excited by sensational
reports, the little thing, the spark
that might light the conflagratiOn
is liable to occur and should he
guarded against.
"But if war should come the
physical condition of our country,
as to business and finances, is un-
usually we'll prepared for it, as
values have been settled on q rock
foundation by stress of the hard
times the country has gone through
for several years, and the prime
elements of panics, water and in.
flation, figure very little i'll values
at present. If conflict with
Spain should occur it would not in
volve the mobilization of large ar
mics, and q small per cent. of our
population would be actually en-.
gagged. Trade, agriculture and in.
dustrial pursuits would go on un.
disturbed, and the main conflict
would be at sea, where our navy
could be more than match for the
adversary. Wall street stocks and
securities would sustain some de.
probation, temporarily at least,
but in the main business OF the
country would be slightly affected.
1t must 60 to the credit of our
national honor that Spain has not
been compelled to part with Cuba
long ago. 1t is known to the
world that several administrations
of the United States endeavOred to
obtain the acquisition of Cuba by
negotiations with Spain, but all
such attempts were met with
speedy declinatiOn.
aThe island of Cuba is in sight
of our shores and commands the
mouth of the Mississippi river and
the commerce of the same States
that flows through its channel,
also commands the line Of our great
coast trade. Our citizens are in.
tlmately connected in business
with all ports of the island, and
during tho frequent insurrections
much damage and annoyance re-
suits to the United States in the
loss to commerce, and in the ex.
pense she Is at in guarding against
her citizens following out their
sympathies, by contributing aid to
insurgents, ard causing her to VIC.
late treaty obligations.
ssThe United States has had to
stand passive and see the blood Of
some Of its n0blest citizens like the
brave Crfttenden and his com.
rades flow from the guillotine.
And Mississippi has had its Gov
eruor and brave old soldier, Gen
eral Quitman, indicted by the
United States grand jury for his