The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-02
Spain Fears
We Will
Attack Coast

&~e~a~N@t 80 <o&@11't ~ VOaAt oPkNoA sHoe
she has information to the effect that
her war with the United States will
not be confined to this side of the At
lantic, but that 1t will eventually ex-
tend to the old world. In fact, there is
every reason to believe that the Span
iards anticipate o possibility Of an
American descent upon their coasts and
An invasion of their kingdom. Dis
patches recently received from Wash
ington tend to confirm this belief, for,
after losing Cuba and Puerto Rico, and
possibly the Philippines, II the Spaniards
refuse to come to terms and persist in
declining to accept peace, it will be
necessary for the United States to cross
the ocean In order to bring the struggle
to conclusion.
Some such step as this would natural
ly appear preferable to permitting the
conflict to drag on for years, necessitat-
ing the maintenance of both the army
and the navy ON q war footing, with
American maritime commerce and trade
in constant danger of attack by Spanish
warships or privateers.
For the United States to invade Spain
with the object Of bringing the war to
q conclusion would prove an even still
more arduous task than for Spain to Ell
ther defend Cuba or to make any de-
scent on the American coast. Whereas
Spain has in the island of Cuba and in
Puerto Rico bases of supplies for any
attack on the United States, the United
States has nothing of the kind on the
European side of the Atlantic. and
would, Of course, have to begin by cap
turing the Canaries for the purpose, us
ing them for recoaling, reprovisioning
and retitting the feet before actually at
tempting to effect landing Of Ameri-
oan troops On Spanish shores.
Without expiating here on the enor-
nous difficulties which an American
army would have to face in Spain itself,
where every peasant is more or less ao-
customed to guerrilla warfare. IL may
safely be taken for granted that step Of
this kind on the part Of the United
States would lead to serious imbroglio
between the latter and some of the con-
tinental powers Of Europe. It is well
known that both France and Austria
would have brought about an armed
Intervention in behalf Of Spain in Amer
loan waters had they been able to get
Germany, Italy. Russia or England to
join them. But the proposal was not
only curtly rejected by England. but
likewise frowned upon by Russia, while
Germany and Italy, after hesitating for
Q time, cold shouldered the proposal.
Should, however, the war extend to
Europe and American troops invade
Spain itself it is extremely probable
that France. either with or without the
cooperation of the other continental
powers. would support her neighbor in
repelling American invasion of Europe.
Only England and possibly Russia
would be likely to express their disap-
proval of France taking part in the
fray. Continental Europe, in fact, is as
strongly opposed to the United States
becoming q factor in old world politics
a. is this country averse to European
powers becoming factors not merely in
American politics, but anywhere in the
western hemisphere, and 1t is possible
that even other countries besides France,
perhaps Austria and Germany, might
be disposed to assist Spain in her effort
to prevent Uncle Sam from obtaining
foothold in the old world.
/ see from Washington dispatches that
the naval officers there regard the pur-
chase of so large number Of merchant
vessels and ocean liners by the govern
ment az an indication that they are
destined for the conveyance Of Ameri-
can troops to Spain. II the United
States authorities have any such inten-
tion, they will have to acquire far
greater number of vessels than they
have got now. When in 1852 England
sent small army of 20, 600 men to
Egypt, she was compelled TO employ SO
many merchant steamers and liners for
the purpose as TO temporarily throw
out Of gear all the ordinary steamship
services. In fact. it will tax to the ut
most the shipping resources now at the
disposal Of tho government to convey
an army Of 40, 900 or 30, 600 men to Gu
ba, which is only few hours distant
from the American coast,
Itwould be ridiculous to attempt any
invasion of Spain without ut least a
force of 100. 900 men, and these, with
their supplies, their artillery, their
horses and mules and oil tho impcdi-
menta Of great army, would necessi-
tate the uss Of several hundred large
transports and liners for their convey
ance across the Atlantic, always bear;
ing in mind that the landing on the one-
my's coast must be made in force and
not in driblets IL 1t Is to prove success
full.
That the Spanisrds are firmly con-
vinced Of the likelihood Of an American
invasion of their possessions in Europe
"a, as I have stated above, evident from
the treasure and troops which they are
devoting TO the defense of the coast and
Of the Baleahc and Canary islands
That q similar belief exists In naval and
military circles at Washington is shown
By recent dispatches from the national
capital. Should these anticipations b
e~~Is~~l g. -. ..La 20 hrt thn