New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-22
CRISIS COMING IN CUBA.
SPANS EMBARRAssMENTs MULTIPLY.
RESULTS THAT WILL FOLLOW THE MAINE IN
ourRY FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF
HAvANA--wEYLER MIscHIEF-MAKER

fpY TELEGRAPH TO THE TR1BuNEl
Havana Feb 20. via Key West. Feb. FL
Embarrassments for Spain multiply. IL she
emerges from the shadow Of the Maine disaster
by proving that to have been due to acci-
dent the opportunity TO accept the good offices
OF the United States might be embraced with
advantage to herself before II is too late. The
possibility Of the United States being compelled
to take stern action has forced an understand
ing of the conditions under which Spanish
sovereignty In Cuba is now maintained In
any case. Blanco will stu have the knowledge
that the Spanish Intrarsig,nte classes on the
island are determined to overthrow the Ministry
which is sustaining the fgnent of autonomy.
Moreover. they are acting In secret with sec
ton of the Intransigentes IN Spain. Should It
be established conclusively that the destruction
Of the Maine was due to a pio.. and Spain seeks
to make the reparation which would be de-
manded by the United States. a revolution will
undoubtedly be attempted by the volunteers, ana
perhaps a part of the army may Join them
POSSIBLE RESULTS OF THE SITUATION.
The only restraining influence is the Spanish
property holding class. and the power OF Its
members to restrain avalanche may be
doubted. If this condition arises, the aid of the
United States Will be the only means by which
that aid is not given. 1t must be followed by the
restoration OF peace throughout the Island, ana
that can only be done by treating with the in
surgents on some other basis than autonomy. so
far as the Intransigentes are considered. The
Sagasta Ministry may curb their activity by
continuing to reject all suggestions of Ameri-
can Intervention, or by deliberately repudiating
any demand for reraration II the circumstances
seem to point to the wanton destruction Of the
Maine While such a course would save the
Ministry for the time being and might even
turn the Intransgentes into a war party sup
porting the Government, the ultimate conse-
ouences can be better judged in the United
States than in Cuba
The situation is too grave for II to be covered
up. The out-croppng Of public feeling shows
that the crisis which is to determine whether
there is a vestlge OF hope of Spain's retaining
the semblarce Of sovereignty in Cuba cannot
be much longer delayed. The disaster to the
Maine has given glimpse Of interior condi-
tons II the theory of accident be established
TO the satisfaction Of the Administration in
Washington, and no aggressive action be taken,
Captain General Blanco will nevertheless have
been afforded an insight into the purposes OF
the opposition.
wEYLER's COMING WILL MAKE TROUBLE.
The reported intention OF Weyler to come to
Havana and stand for election as Deputy shows
the determination to cause trouble. The Wey-
lerites In Cuba are in sympathy with the Gov
eminent The elections are too far off and too
uncertain to make the question OF immediate
Importance unless Weyler presses 1T to an issue
now and forces the Sagasta Ministry to forbid
his coming Then his partisans in Havana may
make a demonstration similar to that by which
the army and the volunteers showed their re-
lection OF autonomy when they started the riots
in January
The volunteers still bear their arms. Mr.
Gibregos scheme OF creating a Radical Au-
economist party which would disarm the voun-
teers, the first step toward concating the In
surgents, only served to show how impotent
the Government is. II the occasion should come
for putting that plan TO test, the failure to
discipline the army officers who led the January
rioting has had the natural result. They have
become more insubordinate. In the mean time
the instruction throughout the island shows
TO signs of weakening; II anything, It is strong
err The suffering of the people from starvation
does not lessen and the paralysis Of agriculture.
through the burning of the cane-helds and the
prohibition of grinding, continues. In short the
conditions in Cuba to-day are such that both
humanity and civilization call for an immed-
ate solution of the crisis.