Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1898-06-09
SPAIN rs WITHOUT HELP.

SPANS allies are even more
mythical than her effective fleets,
for she has a semblance of fleets,
but she has no allies at all. No
nation ever has that is plainly
doomed to defeat. Allies always
prefer a power that needs little
help, and that can, if need be.
give much in return. An ally Of
Spain would have to shoulder
the contest altogether, and when
help was needed in return Spain
could not furnish it. She there's
fore has no ally, and can fnd
none, although her shrewdest
diplomats have hunted Europe
over for support.
The various stories cabled
from Europe have been b~aselass,
simply because governments are
as selfish and calculating and
self>seeking as individuals are.
They act from exactly like mos
tives. Russia is not an ally Of
Spain. simply because she has
nothing to gain and much to lose
by such action. Germany knows
where she can sell goods in the
largest quantities. Italy may
sympathize with Spain in her
troubles, but she has troubles
enough of her own without ac-
cumulating any new ones. The
mere relationship Of the queen
regent to the Austrian emperor
goes but little way with a nation
that has much to sell and few
ships for use in a distant var
Ar Austrian Alliance is in fact
the silliest of all the cabled sto>
ries.
An alliance with France has
been the most persistent theory
Of the sensation manufacturers,
but even it finds a few believers.
It is soon seen that it is wildly
improbable, France is not in a
position to act alone. She has an
European partner in Russia, and
that partner would not care to
have her debt-burdened ally sad
died with the expenses of an ex-
pensive war. Such a course
would render France Of little
value to Russia, and Russia
might cast her off. A conflict
with this country-for that is
what open aid to Spain means
would be an Invitation to Ger
many to work her will; at least it
would render doubly desperate
any return of Alsace and Lor-
raine, Germany might welcome
it, but the French people who
want American trade would not.
And if anything would precipis
tate that bugbear of Europe, an
Anglo>American alliance. action
by France in favor of Spain
would. There is not the slightest
danger that France will move a
hand to help Spain. She pres
served at Martinique the strictest
rules of ne utrality, and she can
be depended upon to keep out OF
the trouble altogether. No doubt
the French people deeply regret
the defeats that are in store for q
sister people; no doubt, too, the
holders of Spanish bonds in
France form a persistent band OF
agitators in favor of help of some
sort to Spain, but neither of these
influences will move France to q
course that would prove expensive,
at least, and that might be disas-
trous, with no chance OF national
benefit in any event.
ALI countries know that Spain
is another Turkey in her colonies
that trade is depressed wherever
her rule prevails, and hat it viii
be better for the world in genera
to substitute American rule fol
Spanish rule. They will simply
let events shape themselves. The,
will keep hands off, and will ac-
cept whatever comes. Spain ha
no ally, simply because she does
not deserve one-that is the Ion;
and short of it.