The times., 1898-04-27
CRISPI ON SPAIN.
She is Resping the Reward -Df Long
MiSruIe.

A copyrighted cablegram from Rome to
the New York World gives an interview
with Italy's greatest statesman. 1t is as
follows:
Senior Crispi, being asked today what
will be the result of the American-Span-
ish war, answered emphatically:
1T is the end of Spain. 1 regret as do
all Italians that our Latin sister has allow
ed herself to be drawn into such an i'm
passe Cblind alley). from which l can as
sure you she cannot escape without great
injury.
The interviewer suggested to the former
premier that he was very severe on va
liant Spain.
Valiant, chivalrous-yes. he replied.
But those are virtues of the Middle Ages
as understood by the grandees of Spain.
In our nineteenth century initiative is
necessary-a practical spirit which i'll the
Spaniards is absolutely wanting.
Spain has committed monstrous sins.
for which she is paying now.
4 do not say that the Americans have
any right to interfere in the affairs of
Cuba, but the Spaniards certainly have
shown themselves cruel. barbarous and
incapable of governing the Pearl of the
Antilles.
In one way or another they will lose
that beautiful colony.
The prime cause of Spain's condition
is the general state of ignOrance-in the
upper, as we'll as in the lower classes Ii
is the priesthood, absolutely sovereign
everywhere, which has led that fine coun-
try into ruin.
The Catholic religion is indeed beau
tiful religion. Christianity has done much
good But through an ever retrOgrade
spirit the clergy has done irreparable
damage to the Latin races"
Italy's greatest statesman was asked
what he thought the results of the war
would be.
Very grave results" he answered. I'm
the first place. what will become of Cuba
after the war? She wifi be a small repub-
| lie. of which there already are too many
over there-constantly in revolution or
bankruptcy.
But this is the least important side of
| the case. 1t is to be feared that the
| Americans, intoxicated by an easy vic
| tory, will throw, haphaZard all their
energy against the European colonies left
| in their neighborhood
Canada assuredly will be one of their
| first victims unless an Anglo-American
| alliance is established between London
and Washington-and that would offer. to
my mind. many dangers Tor the peace OF
| the world.
In short. if the United States defeat
| Spain. as is probable, they will be
| obliged, in order to maintain their posi-
| ton, 10 have recourse 10 costly arma
ments; and Europe, which is looking for
| ward to the time of actual disarmament
will more than ever be plunged into ar
endless expense. After armies for lands
the navies must now be increased.
| Where it will stop / do not know II
any case it seems to me that the wal
has in store some unpleasant surprises.
Senior Crispi was asked if he thought
Europe ought to have interviewed.
'Alas!' he responded. Europe re
sembles Spain from a certain point Of
view. Anarchy is dominant every
where.
ITO speak frankly. there is no Europe
The European Concert Is only a sinister
joke. Nothing can be expected from th
Concert of the Powers -
1t was observed to Senior Crispi that w
are then marching direct to ruin an,
| decadence.
No" he said. towards the unknown
Who knows what tomorrow has in stor
for us? We must have confidence II
the future