Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-01
MORE cALMxEss MANIFESTED.
No Relaxation of the Strained Rela-
lions With Spain.


There Is no relaxation of the strain of
relations with Spain. The only change in
the situation is that the probable, IL not
the Inevitable, is being viewed with greater
celmness. Back of the placid countenance
T.; a fixed jaw. The opinion in Congress is
! that the impression which in some quar-
tiers is sought to be made that the Presi-
dent is seeking an easy way out of the
Maine difficulty, by being a little blind. is
not warranted. The expressions Of con-
fidence by the administration are viewed as
being misconstrued
From Information from men in Congress
who have talked with the President within
the past twenty-four hours, 1t appears that
the Presidents hope that the matter may
De settled by diplomacy is based not on the
probability of the responsibility for the de-
struction OF the Maine resting lightly upon
spain, but upon the probability that the
report OF the board of inquiry will be so
conclusive that Spain. in defense of her
own honor, will be compelled to avoid a
war based upon her defense of a crime
which would be alike disastrous and dis
honorable to her. War entered into by
Spain in defense of such a crime as the
tfeacherQus destruction of the Maine and
her sleeping sailors would dishonor the
Spanish dynasty before tn. world
1t is held to be the duty of the admnis-
tratlon to assume, until Spain herself de-
cares to the contrary, that the Spanish
government will never go to war with the
United States in defense of such a das-
tardly act. but will hasten to make every
possible reparatitn. Even, il the indica-
ti"hs are that Spain win not be so sensi-
i've OF her honor as to do what the die
tateS or propriety demand, the admlnistra-
ton is held to be right in maintaining the
formal expectation that she will do the
honorable thing until the case has beer.
presented and she fails of her obvious duty.
Inc attitude of the President Is repre-
sented to be that of strengthened of weak
ness The attempts to pacify the public
and to hold the hasty in restraint are said
not TO arise from any disposition on the
part OF the President to evade RESPONSE
biiity by delaying until the demands for
reparation grow weaker, but, rather, from
a determination on his part to do the right
thlng at the right time, and to save this
country, now having just cause, from be-
Ing put to any degree in the wrong by
hasty assumptions or hasty action.
III the situation were not as critical as
1t Is 1t might not be necessary to give the
pubic repeated assurances that the ad-
ministration is hopeful CT peace and noI
excited II 1t were less critical 1t woul
not be necessary to secure delay as to
nave time for emergency preparations
From the first it has been the fixed pol
icy of the administration not to permit pub
lie sentiment to outrun our preparations
and not to have the government forced to
.SeioH, eienei ny our own people or by
Spain, before the country is ready to act
In a way to render the action quick and
decisive.
Another thing to be avoided is any polit-
ical division which might weaken the ad-
niristration in the hour of action. If the
President were ready to buckle on sword
at the first indication of friction it is only
too evident that the opposing party in Con-
gress would hasten to critcse and to OPP
pose him. In the absence of hasty action
ODDOSitlOn m6nlfp5tinV M
patience and doubling his frmness, thus
committing itself to action, so that when
action comes it cannot if it would withhold
support.