The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-05-02
lNTELLlGENCER.
WHEELING. IA ., 1893.
cuba,s Capture 10 End the War.

II cabinet oflcss who Is quoted in
the dispatches in the Sunday papers Is
correctly reported. the probability that
the war Will not be long drawn nut Is
very good. We should be careful, how
ever, about accepting as authentic pur-
ported Interviews from cabinet officers
concerning the plans Of campaign and
alleged Information Of a diplomatic
character in possession of the govern
ment regarding the attitude OF Euro
pean powers. The statements attrib-
uted to O member OF the Presidents off,
cial family, II true. are highly important,
for they predict the end OF the war
within two months. basing the prophecy
on alleged Information that the great
powers OF Europe will inform Spain that
the war must cease after the United
States captures Cuba.
While we are inclined to doubt that a
state secret of this sort was given out
by any cabinet officer, the logic Of the
situation is such that a course such as is
named, on the part Of the powers, would
surprise no one. In the resolutions au-
thorlzing the President to intervene in
Cuba's behalf, the position and the Ia
tentions Of this government were made
clear to the nations of the world, In the
statement that Intervention and the es-
Enlistment Of a republican form OF
government in Cuba were the sole pur-
poses OF the United States. These pur-
poses accomplished, the mission Of the
United States will cease, unless Spain
should continue the war by privateering
and embarrassing commerce on the high
seas. Naturally the nations of Europe
that desire peace, having witnessed the
accomplishment OF the aim OF the
United States. would protest against any
Spanish policy OF continuing a hopeless
warfare.
The President is strictly adhering 10
the text OF the resolutions and will not
permit the war to take a wider range
than will bring about the main purpose.
unless It is forced by Spain. Spain so
far has not shown any desire to meet the
United States in fair fighting. She Is
keeping her sea forces well out OF the
way OF the United States fleets and Is
devoting her time and talents 10 a diff
ferent method than that which might be
expected OF q brave nation, conscious of
a righteous cause and with confidence
in her strength. The Presidents watch
word Is Free Cuba" and he is not get.
ting away from what It expresses.
The operations at the Philippines are
necessary incidents only, and not In
epired by a desire OF conquest OF terri
tory. The orders Commodore Dewey
received were 10 blockade those islands
and take them, IL necessary, not with a
view to permanent possession, but to
weaken Spain and her resources. and
establish q basis OF supplies for the Ash
atic squadron. 1t Is pretty well under
stood by the great powers Of Europe
that the purpose of the United States is
not to so beyond her expressed inten-
lions, and this is why there has been no
protest against the action OF the Pacific
squadron and a general observance OF
neutrality concerning the issue between
the two belligerent powers. II Spain
does not gracefully submit to having
lost In Cuba, the logical course OF Eu-
rope will be to inform her that the war
must end, SO far as its original purpo6e
was concerned. and the Spanish nation
will be obliged to accept the result.
While We must view as probably unau-
thorized the publication OF alleged STATE
ments of cabinet officers about private
Information from the powers, there Is
nothing unreasonable in the proposition
referred to above and accredited to such
IN officer.