Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-21
CHANCE TO AVERT THE WAR
Negotiations to Prevent Hostiliti e
Interrupted by Popular 0utburst
Ohm SHERMAN REVEALS CABINET SECRETS
Veteran Statesman Points Out the
Folly of Acquiring Remote and
Darbarous Territory mt an
Enormous Expense.

CHICAGO, Dec 20.-The Tribune prints
the following interesting interview with
formery Secretary of State John Sherman'
from Its Washington correspondent:
II tried to prevent this foolish war with
Spain. President Mckinley will tell you
that could have prevented 1t. AS mat
ter Of fact negotiations were already In
progress to purchase Cuba from Spain when
the war feeling suddenly rose and swept
everything before 1t. And Spain would have
accepted the terms.
This Is a matter Of secret history. And
now what have we got to show for all this
expense? Some islands In the Philippines,
for instance. which are worth about 100000
per annum income; increased Indebtedness
OF 5000, 900 900, and lot Of islands inhabited
mainly by man eaters. And the most dis
tressing feature of the affair is that We are
now about to be called upon to pay $2o,O0o,-
900 for territory that we could have taken
without expending a dollar.
II will admit that I am no longer factor
in public affairs; nevertheless, l am CIT
izen Of this country, l hope patriot, and,
WELL as I have nothing else to do these days
but to reflect, l cannot refrain from passing
judgment on these things.
II see the Tribune has been scoring me
for my views on expansion. Whatever may
be the views Of the Tribune on this ques-
tion do not hesitate to state that this ex-
pansion business will ruin the American
people and that the extravaganza OF the ad-
minlstration will ruin the republican party.
Just think OF 1t! The debt Of the country
has been increased within the last rev
months 5000, ,OO0, 900. / had hoped to live to
see the entire civil war debt Of 100000, 900
wiped out. I have no hope of that now"
Like many old statesmen who have passed
from active public life, Mr.. Sherman is dis
trustful Of the future and he said with
plaintive emphasis: During all the dark
hours of the civil war l cannot recall a
time when l was SO oppressed with doubt
of the future Of the republic as now. 1t was
never meant that we should cross the Pa
ci1c In search OF new territory"
Problems of a Former War.
In reply to question as to whether dur
Ing the civil war he himself or President
Lincoln was doubtful of the result. the old
statesman fell into a reminiscent mood and
said 81 always believed God was on our
side and that we must succeed ultimately.
II Mr.. lincoln was despondent he never
so expressed himself in my presence. I
naturally saw much Of him. What won
derfully wise and good man he was and
what crime 1t was to kill him.
"Our greatest anxiety in those days was
to raise money enough to keep the govern
ment running. Our daily expenses were
enormous and we were constantly in hot
water to meet them. But meet them we
did. The greatest strain upon my mental
and physical faculties was when after the
war had terminated. / as secretary of the
treasury. had placed upon me the task Of
resuming specie payments. Then, too, my
life was daily in danger. Threats were Sc
cretly and openly made against me. Men
credited with great wisdom said we could
not resume. But we did and resumption
came SO easily when we had determined
that 1t should come that we could hardly
realize the fact. .... $50. t.'I.
although 1t has fallen to my lot to en-
gage nearly all Of my life in affairs Of state,
In my younger days was seized with the
desire to become a soldier. / wanted to 20
to the Mexican war. but my relatives
thought enough members Of the family were
already IN the army. Then l wanted to
enlist when the civil war began, but Mr..
Lincoln pursuaded me that could do more
efacient service in congress. was for a
short time volunteer aid on the staff OF
Major General Patterson. 1t was while with
Patterson. just before he crossed into Vir-
ginia. that I first met the afterwards cele-
brated George II. Thomas. While we were
encamped ut Williamsport my brother Te-
cumseh visited me and brought Thomas
with him. / we'll recollect how they threw
themselves down on their stomachs like
two boys and. with the maps spread out
before them, pointed out the strategical DO.
eitiOns In the regiOns liable IN he fouvb,
over, as we'll as the lines Of march and
obstacles to be overcome.
Secret of Long Life.
Thomas, 1t Is said. died OF disappoint.
ment. Tecumseh ought to have lived man,
years longer than he did. But he loved
society and the theater, exposed hmsel
recklessly and died Death when sought OF
the battlefield is not often found He hat
exposed himself on numerous battlefield
and came out unscathed.
II have always taken good care Of m!
health. The secret of my physical vigor lie
In the fact that have taken good care O
myself. have made 1t point not to worr!
over affairs. public or private and hav,
always slept we'll. l have never required
much sleep, but the hours I have devoted
to rest I demanded should be undisturbed
have always been methodical in my habits
whether business or otherwise, and TEN
perate in everything Since retiring from
public Affairs spend my time in attending
TO my private business and In reading ant
riding at stated hours OF the day. So tn
days pass pleasantly enough away. / Still
take more than passing interest In publ
affairs and shall until the end shall come
which, by the laws OF our being cannot b