The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-06
SPAIN NEAR A CRISIS.
The Danger Of War with the
United States.
Troubles at Home and Abroad
Caused by the Struggle in Cuba.

matFsd Of the United States Fostercd AmsnE
the spanish People by the Better That This
Ss-ntFy 1s seoretIy AidinE the ratriets In
Cuba-ssrasta's Attempt to Bribe tho Patriot
Leaaers-Gen. weodrord's Dimcult Position
In E1aarid-Corruption or spanish Politics.
latte Hspe for Spain from the Cariisis or
the RspubiIcans-The Country Tired or the
Cuban struGEie-Tho Situation Expected By
the Spanish oevernment TO Develop Ono
way or the Other Very Seen Aner march 4.
MADRID, Jan. Colt the Spanish people knew
moro about Cuba and tho Cubans and about
America and the Americans. and II the Ameri-
can people knew more about the Spanish people,
then the dangerous crisis which seems imminent
between Spain and the United States might be
avoided and the fate OF the unhappy island
would cease to be a reproach to civilization. 1t
10 hopeless. I am afraid, to expect anything
short Of the stern logic of events to bring home to
the public mind Of Spain such q knowledge of
tho transatlantic situation as will serve to
avert further loss and disaster to the Spanish
cause. On the other hand, 1t Is posslble-barely
possible-that O little plain speaking about tho
emergency which confronts the Spanish nation
may enable the United States to perform its
duty to humanity In Cuba without bringing I'M
necessary humiliation and disaster upon Spain.
But this plain speaking will defeat its own OBJ
ject to some extent in Spain itself. It will give
serious offence to the Spaniards, who already
consider themselves grossly maligned by tho
American press. Unwelcome truths arc re.
scented even more bitterly by tho Spanish TEN.
perament than ISLANDERS when they come from an
alien critic. This, however, will not justify the
Withholding from the American public of such
facts as are patent to any impartial investigator
in Spain to-day.
1t should be said at the outset. without any
disguise or equivocation. that the danger OF war
between Spain and the United States Is real and
not far distant. 1t matters not that the present
Government Of Spain is earnestly striving to
avoid such a hopeless elimination OF SPANS
troubles: 1t matters not that all public men
OF knowledge and common sense in this
country know that war with the United
States means simply a %crowning disaster
to the fortunes Of Spain. These men will
be powerless to avert war il the present
situation develops in the manner which is
most naturally to be expected. 1t may be
that war ought not longer to be avoided. 1t
may be that 1t is the stern, legitimate out
come Of a long series of national sins and errors
of which Spain has been guilty. 1t may be that
Spain deserves to BIO disciplined sharply by a
stronger, moro enlightened nation. That is a
question for casuists and public moralists, and
It Is not the purpose OF this letter to discuss It.
1t is the avowed purpose of the Washington
Government to do its duty to the cause of hui
manity and liberty in suffering Cuba, IL posi-.
BILE, without drawing the sword OF melting
Spain to draw hers. The chance of the United
States declaring war against Spain is very re.
mote. The situation is surely serious enough,
therefore, to make it important that
the American people should understand
clearly the reasons for this attitude OF a
proud, erring, helpless nation. In pointing
out Rome of these reasons I make no ap-
peal for sympathy with the Spanish people in
their dilemma. Their attitude does not encour-
age that sentiment. I do not even ask the
roadcr to consider the situation from the Span.
ish standpoint. The Spanish pleas and purposes
cannot DO justified from any standpoint of ma
tional morality. But 1 do ask that for tho pur.
pose of this inquiry tolerant Americans will
look upon Spain very much as q physician looks
upon q patient whose folly has brought him low.
Hi Is possible Tor q nation to fall i'll, then Spain
10 in that grievous predicament to-day. She is
entitled to BIO treated with infinite patience and
10 be spared unnecessary pain, even although
the treatment insisted upon may be drastic and
she reviles her physician who administers it.
IL IL easy to say in general terms that Spain is
paying the penalties of her period Of conquest,
overprosperity, and national indulgence in ILL
acquired wealth. 1t is the old story of Greece
and Rome modernized. But in saying this, no
adequate Impressions conveyed Of the stagna-
tion and vice which for more than two CEN
turies have made Spain the slowcst laggard in
Europe In the march of civilization. 1t is nee
essary to get a glimpse at least of Spanish life in
order to appreciate the enervation. the paralysis,
which has reduced a once great people to n ma
ton which retains only an exaggerated pride of
the qualities which make greatness possible.
How TO live without work Eaema m ha the
problem which appeals most strongly to the
Spanish ingenuity and tastes. The thing 10
forced upon the attention the moment one
enters Spain.
Take. for Instance. the feature OF Madrid life
which most forcibly impresses q visitor. 1t
seems as II half the inhabitants of the city made
their living by selling lottery tickets to the other
half. In Barcelona it is even worse, and in every
town In Spain 1t is the same. Gambling, or how
to get rich by a fuke. is the national passion,
and those who know the Spanish people best say
that 1t Is ineradicable. Instead of begging. tho
street mendicant thrusts "A sheaf OF lottery
tickets in your face. His number Is legion. He
blocks the sidewalk in important thoroughfares.
and his presence and importantly give an ap-
pearance of hustle and life to the streets which
suggests that trade is good and the people busy.
Every block. also. has its special shop for the
same pernicious trade in lottery tickets, though
-SNSSoeA "uNh ~ 1t
sible TO get past tho door OF ono of them
without forcing ones way through a crowd
Of individual dealers of both scxes 1t is diff
cult to understand. This lottery craze In
Spain constantly reminds one of the old
story OF the two families of Brown and Jones.
each OF which subsisted by taking in the Others
washing. The Browns and the Joncses had tho
advantage over the people OF Spain. however,
for there was no third party to charge them a
big commission on the business. In Spain the
Government, like the bank at Monte Carlo,
reaps the benefit Of the peoples indulgence OF
their gambling instincts. The banks tax upon
the gambler at Monaco is about 8 per cent, but
SPANS share in the lottery Investments of the
people Is about 40 per cent.
AZ soon as 4 foreigner in Madrid attempts to
enter into business intercourse with officials.
professional men, or even managers of impor.
tant commercial and financial houses. he EN-.
counters another striking contrast with the
hnhifa n( nthAH raNfEula T