New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-09
cpA1N'S ILLUSIONS VANISH.
.,xns AT LAST THAT AMERICA is IN
EARNEsT-OBSTACLEs TO PEACE

.crrnrisc ami perplexity have been caused In
,,.dr,d by the news Of the steps Of the Euro
-..r Powers in Washington. which tends to con-
a., the prevalent idea that the same Influences
-. acting In concert with the mediation OF the
pone 10 induce the Government and the Queen
rsgent to meeJ President Mckinley half way
onc,al circles much pleased by the new
..nect OF the crisis which Is said TO increase the
,ospect Of a pacific solution.
.srhe most curious feature throughout the crisis
&c hoen the fact that during the last siA
months the Spanish people and their rulers hav"
,ot seemed 10 realize that the American people
and President were in earnest. though reluctan.
a. go 10 war. In the United States diplomacy
md the Executive seem hardly TO have realized
how difficult il would be to induce proud little
spain to relnqush her hold upon Cuba and
Porto Rico.
.J-p 10 the very last moment American diplo-
macy and the President have so little understood
tho real state of things in the domestic affairs
~ spain as to fancy that the pressure Of finan-
c,sI and monayed interests. the arguments OK
. few far-sce ng and enlightened men like seiors
Norot Cullon and Puigcerver. and the alleged
immense Influence Of the Pope over the Spanish
Court and the Catholics could weigh In the bal
once against the popular and military classes.
against the deep and widespread hostility Of all
classes toward the United States. and against
tie fear in the Court and the Government of
playing into the hands Of the Carlis's and thu
Republicans. Of Wtyler and political agitation.
"rp 10 the last also American diplomacy and
the President had hoped that the advice OF the
European Powers with the support OF the
Pope would prove enough TO force the hand OF
the Queen Regent and her Ministers. and to de-
eide them to accept an armstce as the first
stem toward acceptance Of Cuban Independence
in consideration OF an indemnity OF S2Oo.Oo.oo
or $500 0(O 600 which is deemed by the span
;ards utterly inadequate as material conlpensa-
zion even IL they had consented 10 surrender the
island.
But a majority OF the nation. from the high
est TO the lowest. believe that II Cuba must be
los, it is better 10 lose after having inflicted
serious and IL possible. prolonged harm upon
the Nation that has so long and deeply wronged
Spain in Cuba.
Despite the profound animosity prevailing
against America. so far not a single act or az
gressveness has been reported against American
private residents or the official representatives
Of the United States Nevertheless. the Govern
ment and the authorities are taking precautions
at Madrid and in the provinces lest the violent
articles Of the Republican and independent press
should fan the popular excitement
my telegram Tuesday night was suppressed
because | committed the sin OF mentioning the
strong feeling existing among military men or
all ranks against any surrender OF Spanish
rights OF territory in the West Indies. and the
very general impression that Senior Sagasta
would require all his tact and energy TO avoid
split in the Liberal Cabinet. A split has long
been brewing. because men like General Cor
req Admiral Bermejo and Count Xiquena are
TO a certain extent representative OF the feei-
ings Of classes and interests adverse to the new
colonial policy. whereas the Ministers OF
Finance Foreign Affairs. the Interior and,
above ALL the Colonies. are men in position
TO foresee and understand the drift OF events
and the grave consequences for Spanish finance.
for the prospects of the Cabinet and the mon
archv and for the future of the nation itself. II
Spain embarks upon an unequal struggle. OF
which the issue is foregone conclusion.
II; Is only fair 10 say that Sehors Moret. Gull
lon and Puigcerver will. however. star3 by Senior
sagas.a gaantly II American aggression or cir
cumstances- in Spain obge the Government to
side with those who already say openly that
Cuba is lost anyhow; that even home rule
ia sure 10 lead to independence. and that there
fore |. would be better TO lose the colonies after
a fair fight and an honorable duel witch the
United States.
ITO under and the present temper OF the
Spanish people. it must be borne in mind that
their press and Government have encouraged
them 70 believe that their navy with little
v,eor in preparation. could compete easily on the
first brush with the American Navy. Then
again they have been led to suppose that thei-
military organization in colonies like Cuba,
Porto Rico and the Philippines could undertake
70 punish severely any aggression on land from
the very small regular forces and poorly organ
ICED militia Of America.
AT home they are persuaded that their coasts
and forts have nothing to fear as the reserves
can be called out and the coast guarded without
difficulty They put much confidence in the idea
OF sending privateers to raid upon the American
merchant and coasting fleets. These optiraSic
views are not shared in high political and pro-
fessional circles where grave apprehension ex~
lists regarding trade and communication with
the colonies and the dispatch of relief and pro
visions. especially for the Spanish forces IN
Cuba that used TO get most OF their supplies
from the United States"
GENERAL wOODFORD WAS SURPRISED
NOT PREPARED FOR THE OMNIBUS TURN OF
AFFAIRS on THURSDAY.
Madrid. April I delayed In transmission)''-
No one was NOR, surprised IMAM 'ehe'n' "o"
ford. at. the ominous turn OF events last
evening He had the assurance that the arms
tice proclama. lion would be ssued to-day Crhurs'
day) and as late o'clock In the afternoon
he was confident that everything was pract-
callv settled What caused the change has not
yet been fully explained.
The bellicose tone of to-days press refects
the general opinion that war is inevitable, and
A. nroJuced a fiutter especially among the
Americans. who crowded the Legation for news
a., 90 oscer,ain the measures taken FOR their
protection.
II was runored during the day that General
Woodford he'd closed not only his own house
M mall apd chat he had