The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-02
SATURDAY APRIL ,. 1898.
TAKE THE TO THINK.

At the time we are writing our situa-
ton in respect to Spain is very serious.
The text Of the demands made by Pres
ident Mckinley upon the Spanish gov
eminent have not been disclosed. but IL Is
safe to say that if they at all responded
to the temper Of Congress they were sut-
dcisntly drastic 20 insure rejection.
However little we may think of Spain
the fact remains that Spain thinks a
great deal of herself The popular igno-
sance in this country Of Spain and the
spaniards il only exceeded by the popu-
lar ignorance in Spain Of America and
Americans. Each side is popularity speak
inc dealing with an unknown quantity.
The spaniards, We suppose, regard our
interference with Cuba in about the same
Light that the people of the South in 1860
REGARDED the interference Of the aggres-
sive abolitionists with the domestic af-
"a rs Of the South They moreover ex-
aggerate their own power and impor ance
and underestimate ours.
We certainly underestimate the efforts
they viii make before they submit TO
humiliation.
il seems too, that We have not cons.d-
cred the intrinsic difficulties in the way
Of pacifying cuba even II the hand OF
Spain were withdrawn.
A terrible conflict must result from the
bitterness already engendered in Cuba
between the insurgents and the loyalists
when tn goveram n l. u reserve ~ turn
ed over to the insurgents. Spain cannot
N good faith TO her own loyal subjects
in Cuba abandon them 10 certain doom
with no provision for their protection and
without a : ruggle.
The enormous debt already contracted
in the Cuban war cannot be repudiated
without an effort 10 protect II.
The sentiment of the people of Spain
about Cuba the most ancient and the
most cherished Of all her American pos
sess ons. one which she has held or four
hundred years will not permit is sur
render upon the pere'lptory demand Of
any nation. however powerful.
Besides tbs. the stability Of the very
throne is thought TO BE- at stake upon
The issue Of this Cuban question.
in view of these plain considerations, 1t
should seem reasonable TO give the
spaniards time 10 o Just themselves TO
the inevitable. the a. ual or the practical
independence OF Cuba.
Without Ia the remotest degree paliat-
ing any Of the atrocities which have been
committed in Cuba. but on the contrary
utterly abhoiTing them, we must, If we
are intelligent and reasonable look at both
des Of the question unless We are pre-
pared and willing to regard only one eide
aad that the SIDE OF war.
SO far the United States have presented
no case to justify them in declaring war
on Spain. That there is a strong desire
on the part OF many politicians and Of
the younger and more thoughtless part
OF our population TO have war any how
Is certain. bu. we have yet to see the
man who has had experience and who
he's stop ed to think who wants var with
Spain except under conditions which
would make the course OF this country
clear just.nable ard indispensable ~ de-
claring II.
We have no love for the spaniards.
Their rule has been q blight wherever
Il has held sway. We would rejoice to
know that they were out of Cula for
ever ard we would let the Cubans work
out their own salvation like the rest OF
the Spanish Republics in Central and
Sou h America But we have the inte--
est and the honor OF our own beloved
country % heart and war without neces.
Sly IS the most stupendols crime a peo-
pie can commit We do not doubt for one
minute the Issue OF war with Spain.
though OF all 'nNisc thirfs 1. 5 ;he ~
wisest 10 unCerrate and adversary. our
icssss would BE- great but SPANS would
lie much greater
The very question OF provisioning her
forccs In Cuba. where The army has al no
time mere than ten days or two weeks
ratlors ahead, would tax Spein 70 the Ut
To- most ~'tl cur crUis r. and privateers
70 intercept her Transports
The coal.ng OF her wsg vessels would
also be 10 Spain a terrible problem. All
these things are against her and more
besides. but the very facts OF our strength