The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-03-02
Spain and South America,

Spain ana Soutn America.
That Spain should -eriou.ly consider
il possible to form an al!iance between
herself on Que side and the South
Amsrican republics on the other for Of
fepsive aud defensive purposes ageinss
the United States seems slmos, iueredi-
BILE. There is evidence, however. that
she not only considers it possible. but
that she is strongly inc!ioed to under
take it. The Spanish press is capsi-
vated With the idea. aud Ell Pals. one
Of the leading Madrid journals, is thor
ougbly convinced that such combine
sion. while saving the honor and reviv
ing the ancient glory of Spain. would
aiso eGeosually check the growth of
Anglo-Ssxon influence on the western
continent That newspaper urges the
Spanish Government to make overtares
80 the South America pations fer an
alliance. Those republics. it says. are
weak because of their ISOLATION. but if
banded together with Spain 10 dipio-
.m alto and military compact they would
rank as the fret power 10 toe world in
territory. the second in populatiop aud
rot far from the head of the iise in 6gb.-
ing s,reugth Latin Interests. Ei PAS
declares. are menaced by the Intrusion
of the Anglo Saxons. and is adds I:
..For it is we'll knowo that the greed.
" ankess, once the Panama Caoal is
opened to the worlds commerce. will do
ali which their per6dy Gao suggest to
sress it from the Latin cooD.rie. of
Central America, even as Ecglacd
seized the Soez Canal Tendioe 10
this direction is the desire Of the Amer
leans 20 .ecure Cuba !"
Il is dif6cnst to conceive OF anything
more peeposserous than tbis dream Of an
alliance between Spanish and South
American inHuenos. Suca a arela,ioo
ship would be incongruous and iotoler Z
able. & might help Spain, but it
would Be. blight upon the South
American republics Those countries,
after more than century OF wea,isome
effort. are independent Of the political
contro. Of Spain. and it i. only by re-
so!usely maintaining that Independence
that they can attain the prosperity apd
power TO whied they aspire They are
ssill bampered aud Handicapped 10 macy
ways By the snrvival Of Spanish ;naa-
eoce aud cusiom 10 law and com-
merce. but these are gradaslsy dis
appearing before she steady advance
Of modern IDEAS. aud wherever they
are weakest there viii be found the
far.bess sdvaocs Of South American
progress. The Enropsau ipaaences
which segitimaseiy concern the welfare
Of the Southern republics are CONNER
sisl aud not political they do not
rebate from Spain, bat from Euglaod.
Germany and other progressive pasions,
whose power would be vigorously
assersed 20 prevent even sbe sembIancs
of such an alliance as the MADRID
dreamera propose.
z; Spain mistakes the temper aod por
pose of the South Amesicao natioas as
grossly az she does those of the Uoited
States Her idea. If she has any, tbs,
there is any jealous rivalry among the
American republics which she can use
to promote her own Interests. ie too
ludicrous for eerious consideration
These countries. esch bearing some
where the blots aud scars Of Spanish
tyranny. cruelty and pluoder, date the
beeioping Of their hsppiest days with
their destruction of Spanish control.
The memory of Spah's wirherlog
touch is their common heritage. aud
this, together With broadening realisa
ton that their Interests and destisies
lie along ideotical lines. binds them
fas. 10 union which. while opposing
all forms Of foreign alliance. would
spurn with Indignant scoro the 6rss
suggestion Of snch a relationship With
Spain