The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-04-23

Dpdln is ucooJ h'S,
well.nigh bankrupt nation, over
q, 600 miles distant from her base OF
operations in Cuba. She has popu-
Iation of II, 900, 900, IS per cent. of
which is illiterate. She is the low
est in civilization and progress OF
any nation in Europe-practlcaily
without commerce, industries, money
or credit. Her per cent. bonds are
onoted in Paris at 48, while United
States AS sell at 1911. Her paper
money is at discount of AZ per
cent. Spanish securities rank with
those of Greece and the smaller
South American republics. She has
debt of Sl,25l, ASP, 600 or nearly
s75 per capita, and has been unable
to make a new loan in this crisis.
The United States have voted $780,
600, 900 for preparation for peace,
and can have $500, 100000 for the
asking.
As war is a matter of money,
what chance has Spain?
For .bree years past Cuba has
been in revolt. Spain has sent to
the island more than 100000 SOL
diers, commanded in turn by her
ablest Generals--Campos, Weyler
and Blanco. They have all failed.
The Cubans in arms now number
little more than 80, 900, poorly clad,
|ill-fed, imperfectly armed, unpaid,
and vet they control the greater
part of the island. They hold Spain
at bay.
| For two years past the inhabi-
tants of the Philippine Islands, the
last of SPANS colonial possessions
save Cuba and Porto. Rico, have also
been in revolt. They are but little
more write than the ieeblest of the
feeble races, the Sandwich Islanders,
and yet Spain has been unable to
put them down.
On the 18th of March, twenty
eight days ago, SPANS famous
s.torpedo fotilla,' consisting OF
three torpedo vessels and three tor
pedo boat destrovers, with a convoy
, steamer carrying coal and provi
t sions, left Cadiz for Porto Rice
) amid the plaudits of the foolish
multitude. Its destination was sale
to be Porto Rico. Day after day
the arrival Of this terrible new
armada within striking distance O
: our Shores was tremblingly awaited
: by the alarmists.
h The foiilla FIRST stopped for re
e pairs at the Canary Islands, and Ell
E the 3rd of-April put INTO the Cap
Verd Islands in crippled condition
where 1t still remains-off the coas
of Africa, $500 miles from Port
Rico. 1t is doubtful if the vessel
e ever reach this side. They wer
S not built to cross the ocean. TIL
i'll capture or destruction of their cor
1 voy ship would leave them helpless
:. But Spain has a feet--a s'fyinl
y squadron" that does not fly, thong
y day after day its departure has bee
announced. There are modern bal
tle-s ships and cruisers in it, but the
n are still at Cadiz, undergoing repair
70 by foreign workmen and awaitin
3 supplies from foreign arsenals
- They could not reach Cuba undo
twelve days-long after the islam
had been captured should the Unite
Dr. States enforce their ultimatum {
" once, as every dictate of honor, {
prudence and of peace requires thi
they should.
al The only Spanish naval force
= be considered in case of proml
action are the Vizcaya and Il
ae Oauendo, now at Porto Rico. The
at could not stand for an hour again
al the formidable ships which Cap
adj Sampson can despatch against the
., from Key West. TO doubt that o.
:. fleet can capture or sink these shi
~ is as absurd as to doubt that IS, 00t
600 people are stronger than 1000
900.
r. Coal is as necessary to mode
'ly warships as powder. They cam
ed move or fight without it. Spain
Of Cuba is A 1000 miles distant from h
40 supplies of coal and of food, al
the moment we seize Cuba and Por
ne Rico her fleet will be atour dispos'
Is Is it not lunacy to suppose that b
Tor other ships will cross the ocean
fall into our hands after the war
practically over?
OF Havana is at our mercy. I
l.v Alfonso XII, bottled up in the b
- Dor, is impotent for defensive p'
=" pose. The city could not endure
m forty eight hours bombardment
md our fleet.
me And this is the nation that tai
~ of war with the United States!