Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-27
PEACE TERMS.

| Referring 10 the statemeht Oh tno
| Madrid correspondent OF the London
| News, commented on In the Dispatch
yesterday. that responsible Spanish
statesmen are prepared to seize the first
opportunity 10 end the war. provided 1t
can be done on terms honorable to
Spain" the New York Times asks, What
| would these statesmen consider honora-
BILE terms?''
our New York contemporary then goes
on to express the opinion that the fol-
lowing conditions would be honorable to
Spain and generous on the part OF the
United States: 1.-THE independence Of
cuba. the original object Of the war; in
lieu of any money indemnity. the
abandonment OF the little island OF Porto
Rico. thus securing the complete retire
ment of Spain from our neighborhood,
and as to the Philippines an adequate
coaling station and perpetual guarantee
that the islands shall be open to the
trade of the world on equal terms with
Spain"
PROFESSIONALLY. Spain could not expect
more favorable terms. nor do we think
any neutral Power would seriously pro-
pose more favorable terms. And whether
Spanish statesmen would consider them
honorable 10 Spain or not, there is rea-
son 10 believe that they would prove
popular with the Spanish masses. We
are told on the authority of correspond
ents and others who have given careful
study to Spanish sentiment as repre-
scented by the lower and middle classes
that these care nothing for holding on
to Cuba and Porto Rico. or even the
Philippines. The vast majority OF the
Spanish people recognize that SPANS
colonial policy operates to drain the
many for the benefit of the few the oper-
alton of draining affecting not only the
colonial populations, but the home popu-
lation as we'll They recognize that while
Cuba, and the Philippines especially,
have proved gold-mines for such men as
Weyler. small army of subordinate
crown officials and certain Spanish mer-
camille interests, every dollar gotten out
of them by the small favored classes
named has for years been at the cost OF
ruthless oppression OF the islanders. and
of the blood and treasure. largely. Of the
peasantry Of Spain. They have come to
see that the Spanish colonial system is
synonymous with corruption in high
places, and is an altar of avarice upon
which thousands of their sons have been
wantonly sacrificed under the subteNuge
that the oblation was demanded for
the maintenance of Spanish prestige.
honor, and glory.
So we say that should such terms as
those outlined be suggested to Spain by
a neutral Power, it would seem mad
ness for Spanish statesmen not to seek a
settlement upon the basis of them. There
is hardly doubt that, considering the
present temper OF the Spanish masses
not 10 pursue that course would be to
preciptate revolution.
As to the question whether we could af-
ford to make such terms. we agree with
the New York Times that we could, and
that the result would be that we would
stand higher than ever in the esteem Of
Europe as a nation ready and able to
wage vigorous war for a good cause and
capable of making magnanimous peace.
We would also stand higher in the es-
TEEN of Europe as nation strong
enough TO keep plighted public faith I'M
der great temptation. wise enough to
hold fast to the anchor that in the long
past has proved our safety, and far
sighted enough TO steer clear of the cur
rents and counter-currents that are ever
threatening TO carry some European
Power upon the breakers.