The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-24
AAR|X MAKES HASTE
Continued from First Page.

and SPANS recaicitrancy will lead to an
opening up Of the problem of the future
of Cuba If this shall be the verdict of
the court the presidents promise to de-
mand a large Indemnity will doubtless
have great weight in inducing congress
to stay its hand, for there is a general
belief that Spain will resist payment of a
large indemnity and bring the whole Ques-
ton of her sovereignty in Cuba TO the
front in such way that solution of it will
quickly follow, with or without war.
There is still another contingency which
the verdict of the naval court may pre-
scent and it is the most embarrassing
one of all to the administration. 1t is that
the verdict will fix the cause of the explo-
sion as external but fail to present proof
of the precise cause, either accidental or
criminal Such a Scotch verdict OF
guilty but not proved" is expected by a
majority of the public men and naval Off
GERS here. If this is the verdict the pres
ident will be more than ever embarrassed
in deciding what to do. For in that event
we should have but poor case with which
to go at Spain with a demand for in
demnity. The amount asked for would
have to be small. pitiably small, If it Is
planned as the only expiation. Without
positive proof as TO her responsibility,
Spain would doubtless have the best of
us. In an interna tional lawsuit she would
have the advantage, advantage which an
accused always has where the evidence
against him is weak. The delays which
~
cunning device Of Spanish diplomacy.
would be simply intolerable. Many SEN
ators and representatives, as well as sew
eraI members of the cabinet, have told the
president that If we go into a lawsuit
with Spain over the Maine, and force
the greater question of Cuba to wait Till
It is settled, not only will the Spanish get
the best of US. but the country will soon
be boiling with rage.
II is Just this that senators and repre-
sentatives fear. They know the feeling
Of the country. They tell the president
that their mails are loaded down with
letters from the people, all, or nearly al,
demanding action, not upon the little
question. the small incident OF the Maine
bur ipon the greater question of Cuba.
The president has been informed that the
people demand not blood money from
Spain. nor revenge for thed eath Of our
sailors but the salvation Of the starving
veoo!e Of Cuba and the Independence or
the island This is the predominant fact
in the situation. and 1t is useless to deny
If The people are tired OF delay, and
will not endure much more Of it. They
will no. he satisfied with thes low pro-
cesses Of Diplomacy toward a doubtful
and The intensity Of the popular feeling
,,non This subject is reflected in congress,
and through congress il bears down upon
the president with tremendous force.
with few exceptions every senator and
conservative wac visits The White
House tells the president that unless
s.rorg and satisfactory action IS taken
=, once. our hesitancy will have the eject
y sowing the wind. only 10 reap the
whirlwind later on.
President Mckinley has his own ideas
as 20 the method by which solution Of the
great problem az Cuba should be ap-
D-oached and unless the nature OF the
report OF che court % inquiry compe.s
him 10 move now ne prefers % follow cut
the usual and traditional diplomatic
course. This would Be = transmit oy
cable 20 General WoodfoTd as soon IS
possible d!geut Of the report q CIR naval
court. zith 4 demand upon Spain 70 an
exclamation as 70 her responsibility There
* general belief that the f-st taing 20
80 done < 20 demand indemnity apology.
salute a. ,ha fag. and punishment Of TIE
guilty. But that would he gong 100 last,
according 70 the Preeepts q diplomacy
TIE nrst thing 20 Be done is 90 make
suain acquainted with the Official state
-1ents uron which ne base helst tns;
she Is responsible, and await hs- action.
Spain may wish 10 voluntarily tender rep
aratioa and apology. as friendly nation
should % another that has been vTo1ged
by ter negligence TIE demand fo7 spoi-
osy. salute a. the flag. indemnity. would
be proper only al later time
Here again congress Is not satisfied with
The program which the president feeSs