Arizona silver belt., 1898-04-07
THURSDAY. APRIL 2, 1898.
IS THE NATION TO BE DIS
 GRAOED?

tration has been drifting toward hope
 less chaos on the Cuban question,
 while Spain has improved the oppor-
 tunity to strengthen her position for
 defensive and offensive warfare, and by
 concessions to the insurgents, which
 no one believes to be genuine, has with
 some degeee of success cast discredit
 on the right claimed by the United
 States to intervene in the Cuban war.
 What was declared to be this govern
 ment's ultimatum-the immediate ces-
 sation of war, the withdrawal of
 Spain's army and naval forces from
 the island and the recognition of inde-
 pendence of the Cubans, was answered
 by the crafty old Sagasta, protesting
 that neither the queen regent nor the
 Spanish ministry had authority to
 alienate Spanish territory, that power
 resting alone with the Cortes, which
 does not convene until the latter part
 of April.
 This reply appears to have had
 similar effect upon Mckinley as did
 confronting his antagonist on the field
 of honor have upon Bob Akers, whose courage oozed out of his finger ends.
 What had been proclaimed as m ulti-
 matum was after all poorly disguised bluff, and Mir. Mckinley, the presi- dent of these United States, which We are wont to call the 'greatest nation on earth, which claims paternal guar. diRnship over the Western hemisphere, he, our president, stood irresolute, without the courage to enforce the just demands of the nation, and again ap- pealing to Congress for more time to do what should have been done weeks ago. A humiliating spectacle, truly, to every American citizen whose pa triotism has not been dulled by sordid- ness-and yet we have such men in our midst (not many, thank GodD with whom the almighty dollar weighs heavier in the scale than national honor. Others there are whose judg- ment has been 80 warped by party zeal that they blipdly endorse the presi- dents vacillating policy that is ,mper fling the honor and safety of the nation.
 The destruction of the battleship l Maine, and two hundred and sixty-six | lives of Americans, crime which hor. rified and incensed the people of the whole nation. a crime which demanded | immediate reparation, and which can never be atoned for with gold, that crime for which Spain can not eyade responsibility, has been relegated as a "minor incident" ignored by the ad- ministration, but never to be forgotten by the American people, who condemn recreant administration, and demand that Spain be made to pay the full penalty.
 Complications have arisen almost daily to impair the prestige of the United States, and render the inevita- ble conflict with Spain, while perhaps not doubtful as to the final result, at least more formidable, with Q proba- bility of the prolongation of war far beyond the period to which it might have been confined had the United States acted with promptness and de. 
 Spain's case has been admirably con ducted by the crafty Sagasta, com pared with whom Mckinley and his advisers cut sorry figure in diplo- macy. Spain's policy has been outlined and cleverly carried put. By assurances of Q pacific dis position; by coneeding points of slight importance; by resembling Weyler's order of concentration; by appropri- ting 5000, 900 to feed the reconcen- irsdoes and by offering a more liberal | measure of autonomy, Spain has weak f med the United States case and has yained European sympathy. France las joined Austria in offering Spain moral support, and now Germany has a matters by demanding in- lemnity of Spain for injury to German I interests in Cuba. Meanwhile Spain las dispatched two fotillas, supported y powerful warships, to western Taters, and within fortnight will have squadron assembled near Cuba suifi- [. iently formidable to cope with the american navy and make doubtful the esult of naval engagement. The oily of the United States policy of should be apparent to he most obtuse mind, and unless in- eryention or a declaration of war is eclared at once the United States K ase will be lost Will Congress toler- " te longer the dalliance of weak u need executive? p
 ---------.-.-.---s-..s. ct With this issue the ARIZONA SILVER rs