The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-09
The Frenzy at WASHINGTON.


ton circles there is very little hope Spain
will be able to make a proposal which win
satisfy the United States,,' writes Walter
Nelman, from Washington. II would be
foolish TO stay the action ofstais govern
ment, now that a definite policy has been
agreed upon, for the purpose of consider
ing suggestions by Spain which do not
go to the heart of the question. and which
there is little indication viii rise 70 the
dignity Of offering real solution of the
problems Though the state department
is naturally secTetiye as 10 the nature Of
the communications which have been re-
ceived from General Woodford. enough is
known 20 warrant the conclusion that
Spain is willing TO concede everything ~
the actual freedom of Cuba from Span.si1
sovereignty. Spain is today willing 70 90
everything but pull down ner flag at Ha-
vana. and there are no indications what
ever that she is willing to do that
The truth IS and no one understands
it better than the president, that there
has arisen in both the United States and
Spain a condition which may be described
as political, and TO which apparently both
governments are compelled TO bow SUB
mission. If the queen and the cabinet
at Madrid were able to settle the CUBAN
question as they would like to settle II
they could be depended upon to grant Gu
ba freedom. If President Mckinney anu
his cabinet were able TO deal with the
problem without interference from con-
gress or the pressure of an aroused puoiic
opinion, they might be able, in time 10
secure the freedom of Cuba without gong
TO war with Spain about it. But as mat
ters now stand, neither government is
powerful enough to stand before the storm
of public opinion. The people of Spain de-
nand that Cuba shall be retained, the
people of the United States demand tnat
cuba shall be freed from Spanish domln-
ion. The irresistible force is coming IN
collision with the immovable BODY.
All this the president knows, as Wen
&C anvore 1t was with full understdHu-
ING of this situation that ne anu H-'
cabinet carefully marked out Ine ~
e-ranoue already accurately ueScii -
these dispatches. They have asreeu Up
on a message to congress sldllhs 'i0'i
nolicv. which is authorization of interven-
ton of arms for the purpose OF securing
the freedom Of Cuba from Spanish rule.
The president and his advisors realize
that in all probability the result of this
policy will be war with Spain. They are
prepared for it. They have recalled Cen
eral Lee and our other consuls from
Cuba and they have advised General
Wodford to send his family and attaches
from Madrid: The president is going for
ward to carry Out the will of the American
people and of congress and to give con-
gress a chance to authorize use OF the
naval and military forces, which Will
amount, no doubt to actual war.
And vet it is obvious the president is
not in accord with a majority OF the
senators and representatives in congress.
They blame him for going too slowly and
too carefully. They are so wrought up
by the strain and stress that they have
become unreasonable. They differ from
the president and his cabinet upon the
question whether or not the independence
ofeth present existing insurSent govern
ment in Cuba should be recognized, not
withstanding the abundant reasons for
believing that the course mapped out by
the executive is the wiser one of the two.
The situation as to this feature of the
proposal of the president was complicat-
ed by an appeal issued by the Cuban Junta
in New York for the recognition of the in
dependence of the insurgent government
an appeal which found willing listeners
in congressman by the disgust and anger
of senators and representatives on ac-
count of the enforced delay for which the
president is to be praised and not blamed
by all fair minded men. If action were
TO be taken tomorrow there is no doubt
the United States would go before the
world as a house divided against itself.
Criticism of the president, denunciation
of him, even, is heard from lips which
should move only TO support him and
counsel caImness and loyalty. The Dem
ocratic leaders are eager to play poll
tics, and many Republicans, having made
the break toward freedom from party dis
cipline are angry enough to commit al
most any act of folly. 1t is true that as
yet neither the senate committee on for
eign relations nor the house committee
on foreign affairs has agreed to stand
by the president.
If the people of the United States have
any influence to exert upon Washington
at this time it should not be to counsel
peace, for there is no peace unless Spain
surrenders. They should, on the contra
~, urge their senators and representa-
tives to stand by the captain of the ship
of state. There is a storm raging and
rocks and shoals are near. Not everyone
cOmmends the manner in which the cap
tin is sailing the ship, but he is the cap
tain, and he is doing the best he can.
He certainly knows more about its navi-
cation and is better able to avert its dis
aster than the crew from the forecastle
or the stokers from the boiler-room. He
is sailing the ship toward the port which
everyone is anxious to reach. tho freedom
Of Cuba from Spanish rule. and he should
be left alone. Above all. the United States
should avoid the humilition of posing be-
fore the world as a people of anger and
pickering, unable 10 assume an attitude
of dignity behind their official leader in
a great crisis.
Complex and uncomfortable as the stu
alton IS, IL IS believed the storm will soon
pass. The president is right, and he is
courageous. With a day or two for re-
Election the men who are now talking dis
loyalty to the administration will perceive
where their duty lies. With the message
Of the president appears, as ii will as
soon as General Lee and the other Amer
leans are safely out of Cuba, it will be
seen that the president Is a VIGOROUS
American and the friend OF liberty, that
he is driving straight toward the end
which the people demand. and that he Is
70 be trusted and supported by all good
citizens.
The presidents message will place the
executive where he should be. at the head
Of the procession. Congress VIII prcba-
bly, follow him. Between now and Mon
day the patriotic good sense OF men OF
both parties will rally TO the support OF
the president, determined 70 avert the
disaster Of i divided government in the
face OF an enemy. The only question at
issue between the president and congress
at this time is q 10 the immediate recOg-
milton OF the independence If cuba, which