Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1898-04-11
WASHINGTON LETTER.
ESPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE xosrro

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President Mckinley having shown
the world that the U. S. was not seek
ing quarrel with Spain, and Spain
4 having declined its last opportunity
to give up Cuba peacefully, and hav-
ing added insult to injury by treating
the loss of the Maine as trivial mat
ter and suggesting that it might be
referred to international arbitration,
there is no honorable course left to
this country except to use force in
driving Spain out of Cuba, and in es
tablishing the independence of Cuba.
Congress will this week, upon Presi-
dent McKinley's recommendation,
authorize that course and then there
will be war. This war has not been
sought by the administration, but
every preparation has been made to
fight it to speedy and victorious
close. Now that it is almost upon us,
there is no doubt or hesitation in any
quarter. Steps have already been
taken that will result in the necessary
legislation by Congress to provide the
money needed to carry on war on
scale large enough to make sure that
it will be short. There is but one
feeling in Washington, and that is to
give Spain a thorough licking, re-
CARELESS of any attempt that may be
made by European powers to prevent
it, either by diplomacy or by force.
Captain Sigsbee, late commander of
the battleship Maine, was the guest
of honor at reception held by the
National Geographical Society Satur-
day night. There was only one fault
to be found with this reception.
There were thousands who wished
to honor Capt. Sigsbee by attending
who were unable to secure the invita-
ton required for admittance. There
may be another reception rendered
him that will be public in fact, and
not in name only.
Those who are anxious to partici-
pate in the war with Spain can best
accomplish their purpose by joining
the militia at their homes, as it is
generally understood in Washington
that the militia will be the first troops
put in the field, and believe that no
others will be required, outside of the
regulars.
Germany has officially announced
to this government it's intention to
remain neutral in the war between |
the U. S. and Spain, but recent di-
plomatic occurrences have aroused a
Ioo
against Germany before the Spanish
war has proceeded very far. The
suspicious circumstance is claim
made by Germany upon Spain for
property destroyed in Cuba by the in
surgents. This property was only de-
stroyed about three weeks ago, and
yet Germany is talking about using
force to compel settlement. 1T will
not greatly surprise diplomats if
Spain settles that German claim by
ceding to Germany portion of Cuba
or Porto Rico, solely with the inten-
ton to defeat the plans of this gov
eminent to make Cuba an indepen
dent republic. If Germany agreed to
such plan, it would be deliberately
done for the purpose of provoking
scrap with us as the Monroe doctrine
expressly forbids the acquiring of ad-
ditional territory on this hemiphere
by any European government and
the u. S. has too often reiterated it's
intention to maintain that doctrine at ;
all hazards for any doubt to exist as
to what our position would be. in such ]
a case.
Some idea of the feeling in Con-
gress may be gained from the follow
ing words of Representative Grout, {
of Vermont, one of the most con-
sentative men in the House: 81 am
in favor of swift and terrible VEN
geance upon Spain. Up to the pres !
emit time J have been opposed to any )
Intervention by force IN Cuba and I
was one of the few republicans who +,
voted against the recognition of Gu
ban belligerency more than a year
ago, when the question was present !
ed to the House. Now / am ready to {
use our army and navy to drive the
Spanish flag from the island of Cuba,
and will not only follow, but am :
prepared to lead in a movement to I
authorize the President to teach the /
Spanish government that she cannot
insult this nation with impunity and :
hide behind the cloak of diplomacy. /
lIIHIl IVIH IHI MIMI MIMI ElHIN y a NllHr NNiUIs