The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-17
THURSDAY. MARCH H. 1898.
HOW WE ARE MISUNDERSTOOD.


The talk goes on in Europe Of Powers
there backing Spain in case we are
forced into war with her The Vienna
CORRESPONDENT OF the London Standard
telegraphs that paper that Austria and
Germany are understood in Vienna TO
sympathize with Spain. the first on ac-
count OF FAMILY ties between the reign
ing houses. and the second because of
erudge against the United States.
1t really appears too preposterous TO
hear talk at this day Of a nation being
plunged into the horrors Of great war
because Of sympathies and affections Of
ROYAL houses for each other. Five hun
dred years ago the feudai sovereign Of
one country would aid his royal cousin
Of another with "His" army because he
had the humor TO have q few thousand
of his subjects put 10 death 20 crafty
some within Of his own. But 10 hear talk
OF that sort now appears to be- the very
topmost notch OF absurdity. And yet the
hatred Of European sovcreigus FOR demo-
cratic institutions ana their fear that the
spread Of democratic principles may over
throw their uutocrauc rule. may possibly
involve us in war with more than one of
them if We get into war at ALL What
can be meant by Germany having
grudge against the United States we
cannot imagine. our relations with Ger
many have always been Of the friendlies,
character possible. \ very large part of
our population is German or Of German
descent. and the feelings of the whole
American people for the German people
have always been of the most sincerely
friendly and even affectionate character
II Germany Is dragged into war with MS
as q hacker of Spain it will not be by
reason Of any grrdge that the people OF
either country have against the other
Americans want no war with Germans.
and We cannot be made 10 believe that
Germans want any war with Americans
The utter want Of comprehension of our
people and their tendencies and impulses
is curiously illustrated by this same cor
respondent. lie adds that "the Chinese
question ~ MUCH iINiN ~ az tAAea ANA NAAN
United States than the Cuban. but Ameri-
ca has no naval base in Chinese waters.
Why should not Spain make peace by
Offering the United states naval sta
ton in the PHILIPPINES? Spain would lose
nothing thereby On the contrary, the
PHILIPPINES would be more assured to her
than before and the Americans would De
enabled 10 act from that base in con-
junction with England and Japan
1t would hardly be possible 10 exhibit
greater ignorance OF tho condition of
things here than is shown in this pass
age. There are two sources out of which
war between Spain ana the United States
may arise upon our initiative.
We may ascertain that Spain IS respon-
sble for the destruction OF our battleship
and our demands upon her for reparation
in respect Of that may bring on war. or
the general resentment OF our people at
the inhuman treatment OF the Cubans by
the Spaniards may drive our government
into interfering and compelling Spain 20
abandon Cuba. But II we should be
driven to war with Spain by either course
It would be preposterous 10 talk 20 the
American people OF compromising The
matter by Spain giving us a port in the
Philippine Islands that We could use as
base In case we are driven into war over
the Chinese question. II Spain blow mp our
batilcship We will punish her for II that
the world may know we propose 20 as
sert and uphold the dignity of our coun-
try and Ia protect the lives and property
OF our citizens under any and an circum-
stances. This reparatlon viii be exact
ed upon the high ground that this coun-
try proposes always TO occupy, and no
dickers and trafics viii he considered as
substitute fer punishment.
So II humanity shall make the country
determine that the shocking scenes now
enacted in cuta shall be brought 10 an
end the relief Of the Cubans win be the
thing that we shall have determined
upon. and we will not listen TO any pro-
possls for our own advantages that are
20 divert US from tho accomplishment Of
that end. We Will make war at the die