The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-20
Make 1t short and sharp.


Now that the United States have de-
cided to drive the Spaniards out of Cuba
there should be no unnecessary delay in
beginning and completing the task. The
resolutions which Congress adopted at an
early hour yesterday morning mean war
There is just bare chance that war may
be averted-that chance being SPANS
abandonment OF Cuba before hostnides
begin.
No doubt Spain would abandon Cuba
without firing a shot if she could do so
without revolution at home. The tenn
per of her people is such that If she
should abandon Cuba, without making an
effort to hold il, she would have a condi-
ton of affairs, more TO be feared than a
brief war with the United States, to deal
with. In defense of Spanish territory the
people of Spain may be united, but very
large proportion of them would willingly
assist in overturning the present govern
ment if a good excuse for doing so should
be presented. The abandoning of Cuba
by Spain would be such an excuse.
Assuming, therefore, that we are 10 have
war with Spain lei us begin il as quickly
. as we can prepare for it and end 1t as soon
IS possible. A war, dragging along for
months, would do us an immense amount
Of damage. 1t would draw attention away
from business and enterprises of various
kinds, and have a paralyzing effect upon
all of our industries, except those pro-
ducing supplies for The army and navy.
But we do not advise the President to
begin the war until he is ready for It,
He could make no greater mistake than
to rush into battle either on land or sea
without preparation. The belief seems to
prevail az Washington that the Spaniards
will not make a stubborn resistance. that
they will demand peace after a skirmish
or two. This view may be correct but
it is not certain it is. But acting on this
belief, Congress may insist upon moving
on Cuba at once. We want the war an
ished quickly. but we don't want any such
mistakes made as were made by the Fed
erals in the war of secession. Urged on
by fanatical Congress and ignorant
newspapers. the Federals met defeat twice
at Bull Run. They moderated the cour.
age and strength of the Confederates when
resisting an invading army. If our army
should attempt to invade Cuba it might
find resistance altogether greater than
was expected. II is much the wiser plan.
as we said few days ago, to overrate
than underrate the Spanish soldiers.
We have no doubt whatever of the liltI-
mate outcome of a war between Spain and
the United States. The only question is.
how long will it take to drive the Span
iards out of Cuba? If we make a serious
mistake In the beginning of, hosulities it
viii take us much longer TO accomplish
the task set by the resolutions of Con-
gress than il would if we were victorious
from the very beginning. Therefore. while
we want the war to be a short and sharp
one. we do not favor beginning the work of
driving The Spaniards out of Cuba until
we are fully prepared for it. BY making
ample preparations before striking a blow
we shall accomplish our purpose quicker
than by beginning hostiiities before we are
ready to do so. We may be ready now.
That is for the President to determine