The times., 1898-06-10
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1895.
Nearing the End

1t will be our fault if this war. which
has been the most strange in human
history, combining features of the
grandest heroism, with aspects of opera
bouffe pueriIity, does not come to
speedy end. Whatever doubt on the
subject may exist in America, there is
a well settled convection in Europe that
We have only 10 complete our occupa-
tiOn Of Cuba and the Philippines and
TO take Porto Rico to at once satisfy
Spanish honor" and TO secure in
demnity for the cost Of our punitive
adventure.
Spain has learned something within
the past few days. She has seen
her Cape Verde squadron eliminated
from consideration. She has heard that
her fiag must be hauled down at Ma
Mia, and she knows that the occupa-
ton of Cuba and Porto Rico bv the
forces Of the United States is some
thing which cannot be successfully re-
sisted, even in small way. What
Spain may do under these circum-
stances IS a problem, but one rather for
the Spanish government than for Us.
Surrender or concession on the part
Of the Sagasta cabinet would be sure
TO wreck its power and probably in
Yolve the Alfonsist dynasty in ruin. a
continuation Of the war can only bring
the certainty Of more loss of territory
to Spain. If Spanish pig -headedness
should compel us TO prolong the strug-
gle for another month, the Canaries.
certainly, and the Carolines, probably.
win be added to the American string of
scalps. And here will come in what we
are now looking for at any moment.
Queen Christina only waits for some
assurance that France and Austria viii
protect the throne1of her boy from mis-
own people to make terms and sur
render. Her hope is that this may be
done without the loss Of anything but
Cuba. 1t is a fond but a futile hope. If
she can save the Canaries and the
Carolines, she viii be in great luck. and
We are beginning to think that we
should not suspend hosuIities until
they, too, are in our possession.
In view Of existing conditions. the
President does well to rush the pre-
paration Of a great volunteer army. and
to increase the naval force Of the coun-
try as fast and in every way he can.
In any event. we should soon have to
try conclusions with European inter
ests as 10 our right to a share Of the
worlds commerce. We might as well
do il now, while there is a practical
military alliance in prospect Certain
ly, if the Continental powers are will
ing to leave US alone, and to allow US
to enjoy the fruits Of victory. we
have no reason to quarrel with our
neighbors. But if they think that we
are disposed to submit our preten-
sions" to a European tribunal, they
might just as well begin to prepare
their ammunition, because there is go
ing to be a fight.
There viii not be any if there is com
mon sense in the cabinets of the Con
cert" The United States will keen and
develop the Philippines without an
tagonizing or interfering with Euro
pean interests beyond the point of
commercial competition, which is le
gitimate, and could not be prevented
without absolutely crushing US. We
viii build and control the Nicaragua
Canal and We will have Hawaii. We
viii also establish a navl base on the
territory Of our ally, the Republic of
Cuba. with its full and cordial consent.
And We viii construct a powerful navy
as fast as our boundless resources and
available means viii permit.
Some or ali of these intentions and
policies may be obnoxious to one or more
Of the nations of Europe. We are sorry.
because il would please US to please
other governments. but We have dis
covered the utility Of looking after our
own concerns first, and, if anybody OBJ
jects TO the prognosis, it viii be found
that the American people are fighters
just as much as they are traders.