Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-24
THURSDAY. MARCH "A. 1898.
BUSINESS POWER. AND WAR.

In its leading editorial in its issue OF
yesterday, the New York Journal OF
Commerce reaches the conclusion that
apart from the results of the naval in
vestigation into the cause of the Maine
disaster, our relations with Spain appear
10 be drifting rapidly towards a final
crisis. During the last and the present
administrations, says the Journal, the
attitude of this government has been
such as to finally commit US to a settle
ment which would leave Spain no choice
between vital concessions and the ac-
ceptance Of war. I'VE have" adds our
contemporary, taken that position in
diplomatic representations and in presi-
Dental messages, and a large majority
of our people, backed by the press, have
more than passively supported the atti-
tude of the Executive. The prompt APP
preparation Of 100000 for naval and
military purposes and the subsequent
marshalling of all our war resources is !
more than a hint-it is an open declara-
ton that the government has at last
reached the stage of formulating a de- |
mand TO be presented as our final word /
TO Spain"
The Journal then antagonizes the as
sumption that our warlike preparations |
and the position of the administration
are a game Of bluff, involving no serious
consequences in the event Of failure, and
declares that It may be taken for grant
ed that there is to be no more probation
for Spain; that the case is made up;
that all the evidence is in, and that now
it only remains that we present our con-
the conditions upon which we insist as a
basis of settlement.
The Journal does not undertake TO
foreshadow what these conditions will
be, and It hopes for peaceful solution.
That hope is based largely upon the lack
of warlike preparations in Spain, and
the fact that war means for Spain ire
trievable financial ruin. These considcra-
lions, coupled with a knowledge OF the
interest SPANS heaviest creditors would
have in preventing war, incline the
Journal 10 think that when the issue Is !
squarely presented to Spain she will
yield. But the Journal is none the less
clearly OF the opinion that things are
shaping themselves in this country re-
gardless of that prospect. Continuing, it
says;
"The situation, as it stands to-day,
therefore, means that unless Spain is pre-
pared 10 concede a settlement acceptable
TO this government and TO the Cubans
the United States is resolved to enforce !
its demands by war. That is the mind
not only Of the government but of the
people, reached not suddenly or under
any transient burst of passion, nor
vlsibly influenced by the Maine disaster,
but formed after a long course OF patient
leliberation upon all sides of the ques-
ton; and it would be futile folly to ex-
pect any change from this attitude. In
spite of all the hOTTid cOncOmitants Of
war, we are irrevocably committed TO II
IN the event of Spain rejecting our terms
r is best for all interests that this be
)nce for all understood, aud that no
hopes be INDUCED Incompatible With that
prospect"
Weighing the source, the Journals aru-
lie Is one of the most significant. one OF
he most pregnant of import. that have '
appeared during the crisis. The Journal
S not an alarmist II is conservative to
rare degree, II represents more tho
'oughly. perhaps, than any other paper
n the United States the business sea
imeit and power Of the country, as diff
erentlatcd from what is known as the e..
money" sentiment ana power Aside .
rom the fact that the Journal seldom or :
fever jumps to conclusions and that its :,
conclusion as TO the tendency of the :
rift OF events IS strongly fortified, IL :
ustains the view that the business inter :,
SITS OF the country are tired of suspense -
nd want TO know the worst Speaking =
n sense by authority il tells the ad- =
that the business power-the
most conservative power in the land -
would encourage prompt ana decisive ac- -
ion FOR the purpose OF ending uncer- y"
ainty. II virtually assures the admins !"
ration that that power prefers to take -
he chances OF war, rather than that The Dc
resent unsettled condition OF affairs
hould continue.
And the significance OF the Journals nc
fuele and its pregnancy with import are -
ccentuated by the news from Washing. ~
On that The President Is having confer. ~,
noes with the leaders OF both parties
nd That IN both houses OF Congress. ire -
peetsve OF party. the feeling IN favor Of ,'