Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-07-14
HOPELESS OUTLOOK.
Spanish officials Recognize Their
Helplessness in the War.
The HEAVY NAVAL LOSSES OF SPAIN.
The Fall Of Santiago VIII Probable End the
War and Give suain An Opportunity
to Negotiate for Peace-The
Paris Temps Views.


is to the effect that the darkest pessi-
mism pervades Madrid otficialdom.
The helplessness Of the war is finally
recognized, and the peace idea now
seems to predominant in the cabinet,
and negotiations are considered ur.
gent The cabinet is likely to cohere
until peace is secured. 1t is now re-
cognized that Santiago de Cuba is com.
pletely beeaguered and cannot hold
out, owing to the lack of provisions and
munitions OF war. II Is considered GER
tain that the Americans will blockade
Cuban and Porto Rican ports, cutting
off their supplies, while the authori-
ties are convinced that an American
fleet is coming to the peninsula. There
is no confidence felt that the powers
will interfere, even il defenseless sea-
ports are bombarded, and, therefore,
what measures OF defense are possible
are being adopted. Marshal Martinez
Campos. in the course Of an interview
at San Sebastian, said it was impossi-
BILE that negotiations for peace should
be entered upon by the Spanish and
American governments, for the reason
that the time was not yet ripe.
Ell Liberal says that peace is impos-
sible II the United States claims pos
session of Cuba. The Spanish army is
determined to repel such claim, but,
even should the army cease to exist,
there would be 00,O0O volunteers, fully
resolved to uphold the Spanish flag
and reject peace. In the event of the
soldiers quitting the island the war
would be continued by its inhabitants,
who do not wish to become Yankees.
THE HEAVY NAVAL LOSSES OF SPAIN.
LONDON, July ia special dispatch
from Madrid says. All the talk of
peace seems, up to the present, to have
led to no tangible results. No doubt
the government would welcome an OPP
portunity to negotiate with the United
States, were the signs propitious, but
there are so many circumstances to be
considered that it looks as though the
policy of drift and waiting for some
thing to turn up would continue until
Santiago has fallen, The fall of San
tago will convince the most sanguine
of the hopelessness of the struggle and
will give the government the desired
opportunity to at least suggest an ar
mistice for the decision of terms Cir
cumstantial statements are already in
circulation to the effect that the war
is virtually ended and that the gov
eminent has actually opened peace ne
gotiations, but they cannot be ver-
fed A detailed account has been
published of Spain's naval losses-2!
warships and 81 merchantmen, as
against practically no losses on the
American side. This tends to con-
vince the most rabid war advocates,
and, as for long time past the whole
commercial and industrial interests of
Spain are bringing strong influence to
bear in favor of peace.
WHAT A PARIS NEWSPAPER SAYS
PARIS, July 1.-THE Madrid CORE.
spondent of the Temps says: The end
is impatently awaited, even the gov
eminent no longer attempting to dis
guise its conviction that, after the fall
of Santiago. the time will have come
for thinking about overtures of peace,
especially as all the European chancel-
tories advise this course. Gen. Blanco
cables that it will be impossible for
achievements to reach Santiago in
time to aid in the defense, the dura.
ton Of which will depend upon the
supply Of food and ammunition, unless
the garrison attempts a desperate
sortie.
The Temps, commenting upon the
foregoing dispatch from its Madrid
correspondent, says: What should de.
eide neutral cabinets to give wise coun-
sells to Madrid is not only the fact that
the latest developments Of the war
have entirely changed the complexion
Of the situation, which was already
grave enough for Spain, but the fur
Their fact that there are trustworthy
indications Of beginning Of reac.
ton in favor Of peace in official circles