The Hawaiian gazette., 1898-04-12
IMPENDING WAR.

War between the United States and
Cuba hangs on two distinct issues,
first that of a responsibility for the de-
struction of the Maine; second that OF
interference on humanitarian grounds.
As to the Maine disaster, the Court
of Inquiry has distinctly declared that
it has not ascertained who is response
BILE for the placing of the explosive con-
trivance which destroyed the vessel.
On this finding President Mckinley
cannot hold Spain responsible for 1t,
unless by some principle OF interna-
-ional law, the country in whose harbor
a friendly war vessel is visiting, may
be held responsible for any injury to
the vessel, whether accidental or in
territorial. If the President believes that
Spain should be held responsible for 1t,
he recognizes the right of Spain to
make defense to the charge, and to
claim that as a matter of international
law. she is in no way liable. The case
would be one for arbitration and not
for immediate war. Spain is not bound
to accept the American view of the law.
There would be a good many American
jurists who would not approve of the
opinion that if a Spanish war vessel
were lying in San Francisco harbor,
and some crank blew her up with a
torpedo, the United States would be I'M
der obligation to pay for the vessel. If
A is visiting BIS house, and is robbed
at night of his watch by a burglar, is
A responsible for the robbery?
So far as the Maine disaster is con-
cerned, it looks as if the President
would not make it cause of war, how
ever suspicious the case may be.
Regarding the other grounds for wal,
the case is still complicated.
The President through General
Woodford, asks the Spanish Govern
ment to make terms with the Cubans
and end the war. This means, of
course, Cuban independence And the
President asks that the United States
be allowed to relieve the suffering in
Cuba, the terrible suffering which dis
tresses the American people. To this
Spain replies, that she cannot grant
independence, that only the Parliament
which meets on May 4th, can settle the
question, that she has appropriated
100000 to feed the starving Cubans,
and she suggests an armistice.
With this situation the President is
deeply embarrassed. He undoubtedly
feels that Spain is utterly insincere,
but he cannot assume that she is so.
He feels that little or none of the
money said to have been appropriated
for the relief of the sufferers will ever
be used, because even the soldiers of
the Spanish army are unpaid. But he
cannot assume that this will be the
case. He also is painfully aware of his
responsibility in the matter War
means, probably, the killing of many
brave Americans, the misery of many
American laboring men, who will be
thrown out of work, the great injury
of the American marine service He
abhors war, and so do the American
people
On the other hand the Spanish lead
ers fully understand that war means
the loss of Cuba, and of the Philippine
Islands, and more than all, the imposi-
ton on Spain alone of the Cuban debt
rising s4OO,OOO,OOO So the Spanish
statesmen do not wish war. But be-
hind them are the Spanish people,
ignorant, proud, boastful, who are
flinging with patriotic fevor, their
young boys into the Cuban swamps to
die. These forbid any rational conduct
by the Government.
Under all the circumstances, it would
seem as if Congress would hesitate to
precipitate war Even if it is newt
able, so far as man can predict, Con-
gress will not directly provoke it. 1t
probably will, or has, at this hour, re
cognized the independence of Cuba. If
Spain chooses to make that cause of
war, the United States will meet her.
But she probably will not do so now,
because recognition of independence is
an international right
The chances are that war will not
probably take place at once, however
inevitable it may be- In the meantime
both parties will prepare for it.