Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-27
ut is THE END OF SPAIN."
Thnt Is SignOr Crtspi's Opinion of the
Conflict Between Spain and
Americ0


New York. April ga dispatch to the
World from Rome says:
Signor Crispi, being asked what would
be the result of the American Spanish war,
answered emphatically:
1T is the end of Spain.
Il regret. as do all Italians, that our
Latin sister has allowed herself to be
drawn into such an impasse. from which
l can assure you she cannot escape with
out great injury
The interviewer suggested to the former
premier that he was very severe on valiant
Spain.
Valiant, ohivalrous-yes," he replied,
'but those virtues are of the middle ages,
as understood by the grandees of Spain.
In our nineteenth century initiative is nee
essary-a practical spirit. which in the
Spaniards is absolutely wanting.
"They have committed monstrous sins,
for which she is paying now.
Il do not say the Americans have any
right to interfere in the affairs of Cuba,
but the Spaniards certainly have shown
themselves cruel, barbarous and incapable
of governing the pearl of the Antilles.
I'm one way or another they will lose
that beautiful colony.
1.-THE prime cause of Spain's condition il
the general state of ignorance-in the up
per as well as in the lower class. 1t is the
priesthood, absolutely sovereign every
where, which has led that fine country into
ruin.
1.-The Catholic religion is, indeed, beau
tiful religion. Christianity has done much
good But through an ever-retrograde spirit
the clergy has done irreparable damage
to the Latin race
Italy's greatest statesman was asked
what he thought the results of the war
would be.
..yery grave results" he answered. "In
the first place, what will become of Cuba
after the war? She will be small repub-
lie. of which there are already too many
over there constantly in revolution or
bankruptcy.
But that is the least important side Of
the case 1t is to be feared that the Amer
leans, intoxicated by an easy victory, will
throw, haphazard all their energy against
the European colonies left in their neigh
borhood.
Canada assuredly will be one of their
first victims unless an Anglo-American alli-
ance is established between London and
Washington-and that would offer. to my
mind. many dangers for the peace of the
world.
IN short If the United States defeats
Spain, as is probable. they will be obliged.
in order to maintain their position. to have
recourse to costly ornaments. and Europe.
which is looking forward to the time of
actual disarmament, will more then ever be
plunged into an endless expense. Armies
and navies must now be increased.
Where 1t will stop / do not know. In
any case it seems to me that the war has
in store some unpleasant surprises"
Senior Crisp was asked if he thought Eu-
rope ought to have interviewed.
"Alas!" he responded. Europe resembles
Spain from a certain point of view. Anarchy
is dominant everywhere.
ITO speak frankly, there is no Europe.
The European concert is only sinister
joke. Nothing can be expected from the
concert of the powers
1t was observed to Senor Crispi that we
are then marching direct TO ruin and de-
cadence.
mo" he said, toward the unknown
Who knows what tomorrow has in store
for us? We must have confidence in the