Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-06-11
THU SPANISH REPORTS
Make the Santiago Bombardment
Another American Failure"
SPAIN WILL NOT SUE FOR PEACE.

SPAIN WILL HUI Sub EUh FEAUb.
The spaniards Believe That the Ma
1ority OF Americans Have Already
Tired of war, and They Expect Peace
Proposals to Come From Washington
London, June 9.-The Madrid CORE
spondent of The Times telegraphs: The
news from Santiago produced little or
no excitement. At first there was
feeling Of sadness because only Spanish
losses were announced. Gradually the
feeling changed on learning the Ameri-
cans also suffered. although their losses
have not yet been reported in detail
In any case there was justification for
patriotic satisfaction in the fact that
the attack had been successfully re-
pulsed with fewer casualties than have
sometimes occurred in significant skir-
rnishes with the insurgents. This is the
tone adopted by the newspapers. FL
Liberal says: ut is a new failure
for the Americans, but, considering the
results, we must not attribute to it the
Importance of a real victory.
In the absence Of trustworthy news
from the Philippines the widest ru-
m6rs are again afoat. Credulous pa
triots cling to the view that Admiral
Cervera can work miracles, and they
believe despite all evidence to the con-
trary, that his squadron is well on the
way to the Philippines. The peace pos
slbilities continue to be discussed. Some
sanguine people urge that negotiations
might be opened at once. All sensible
people continue to say, as they have
been saying for weeks past, that, short
of miracles, there is no doubt of the
final result of an unequal struggle, and
that the longer the struggle continues
the greater viii be the sacrifices. But
/ still fail to perceive in any influential
quarter a readiness to act on this con-
viction When l ask my friends why
they do not propose to make Peace they
reply that Spain, being the aggrieved
party, cannot take the initiative.
On analyzing the opinion that a
psychological moment for starting
peace negotiations has arrived I found
it was based not on the consciousness
that Spain is rapidly exhausting her re-
sources, but on the belief that the great
majority of Americans have already
tired of war, that President Mckinley
is. consequently, becoming unpopular,
and that the peace suggestions Of the
Paris edition of the New York Herald
were inspired by President Mckinley
himself
AS for Spain, my friends maintain
that she is in no hurry, as recent events
have shown her powers of passive re-
sistance to be far greater than has
been supposed. The conquest of Cuba,
they say, win require two years at the
least, and probably much more, and if
the island is ever conquered it will be
white elephant for the United States
The conclusion is that America has
much more reason than Spain to de-
sire a termination of hostilities. Such
is, if I diagnose Alright, the present
state of public opinion among most
reasonable people here. Such an at
titude is hardly likely to serve the
cause of peace.
On account of the serious news from
the Philippines the leaders of the
minority parties in the chamber of
deputies met Senior Sagasta yesterday
to consider the situation. The pre-
mier strove to convince them of the
gravity of existing circumstances, urg-
ing that they ought Immediately to
adopt the budget and to declare that
the chamber should sit in permanence
Professor Sameron, the Republican
leader; Senior Romero y Robledo, leader
of the Weylerite party and Senior Bar
rio, Carlist deputy, opposed Senior
Sagastas suggestions, but declared
that they would support the govern
ment.
The queen regent is said to be in
III health She hardly ever appears in
public, though she drives daily in the
wilderness behind the palace.