The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-26
WAGON WHEAT, O6C
ACME MILLING CO..
Old 352 West Washington st.

ish intransigentes in Cuba will not invite the
consequences of conflict until they get the
word from the intransigentes in Madrid
If the national sentiment there overfiows
the overflow is certain to ungulf Cuba. The
American who explained to me the theory
that there will be war and no outbreak
has arranged his affairs so that he may
leave on short notice. That does not indi-
cate a lack of faith in his theory much
as a lack of confidence in the Spanish popu-
lace. Their fury might be directed against
Captain General Blanco and his associates
who represent the policy of autonomy A
demonstration begun in that manner might
take wide range and end in an engage
ment with the Yankee war ships.
Should the efforts Of the two governments
fail to avert hostilities, Americans in Cuba
will not wait for formal declarations from
either government, but will leave a little
earlier. Many of them would rather make
a return trip. In the uncertain event of
war it is presumed the consular archives
which could not be removed would be
placed in the custody of consuls represent
ing other nations. Citizens of the United
States who remained on the island would
undoubtedly be accorded the protection of
other consulates, but if mob violence be-
far these representatives of European coun-
tries could afford physical protection.
Not many born Americans are in Cuba
now The majority of them will undoubt-
edly be able to leave before the trouble be-
came serious. With the Cubans naturalized
as citizens of the United States the case
is different. Most of them have families
who are unable to get away. During recent
frir iul, fh.A Of ha icI
l found the American consuls and the nat
uralzed Cubans had been thinking of this
matter, which for them is a very serious
one. They are not SO apprehensive as they
would have been two or three months ago.
The reason is that every element in the
population now understands what will be
the inevitable result if Spain gets into trou-
BILE with the United States They all
looking for American protection in the
future. On that account the disposition is
to do nothing that will be treasured up
against them This is empha tically true of
the Spanish property owners. But there is al
ways danger from the ignorant Spanish
populace. ard the depth of the popular
ignorance does not seem to be grasped in
the United States.
The gravest fear is from the guerrillas or
local volunteer forces, who have been made
part of the regular Spanish troops. The
guerrillas committed most of the atrocities
of which the helpless paciticos were the
victims. They are capable of committing
similar excesses in a period of anarchy. and
are tremendously dangerous force. How
ever, there is one restricting factor with
them. They know enough to look to the
future, and TO seek avoidance of the hang
ing that should be meted to them. To save
their necks they may refrain from excesses.
Some will probably make overtures to the
insurgents. 1t is, therefore, possible that
the danger from the guerrillas may not de-
velop, yet their existence is a dread. From
the troops the Cubans in the interior have
little fear Should hostilities arise they
would necessarily be moved to the coast
towns The insurgents would occupy the
villages which the troops now occupy.
These are all considered based on what
may happen between the United States and
Spain. If the expected does not happen, a
simpler problem will be offered. 1t will be
how to feed the people OF the island during
the period in which Spain is letting go of
Cuba.