The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-09
indications Point to a Fight
With Spain.
MONEY POWER WANTS II
A POPULAR CIAMOR FOR Gu
BAN RECOGNITION.
WAR SPIRIT ALSO LOOSE IN SPAIN
n reference Of the United States the Only
Spain Could Surrender Cuba
and Maintain Its Dynasty, Says
Mr.. lanes X. Pou,
Mr.. james n. Pou.

Mr.. james n. Pou.
There has always been a strong Sehti-
ment here, as all over the South in favor
of the Cuban patriots.
Since the destruction Of the Maine anu
the loss of go lives in Havana harhor
by Spanish treachcry, this feeling mas
daily grown stronger. The possibility Of
a conflict with Spain rs about all that
has been talked of. Famed by Sensa-
tional rumors, both false ana true. the
ant;-spanish feeling has risen 70 fever
heat. and it is evident that if war is de-
clared many people here, as we'll as else
whore in the State will he anxious to en-
roll themselves as volunteers.
Nor can it be denied that it is begin
ming 10 look like they viii have u chance,
or. peraaps more properly, it j. begin
ming IN look as II the United States
and Spain are really coming to blows.
Last night l asked Mr.. Jas. NJ. Pou,
ex-chair1nan OF the Democratic STATE
executive committee and one Of the most
thoughtful bnt conservative men in the
State. what ne thought of the situation.
while i can't say we will certainly
have war" he said, I'VE are nearer 20
war now than we have been since we
ordered the French out of Mexico, 30
years ago"
DO you think Mark Hanna and Wall
street would let war Gomez
1t Is their interest that think makes
war more likely Usually they are on
the side of peace But now that is not
- : -
Why"
The elections are all going against
Mckinley's administration. He has
failed 10 bring prosperity and unless
something out Of the ordinary run If
events occurs between now and the fall
both Houses of Congress will be hostile
to him and free coinage bill win soon
l,c presented for his signature. This
will be extremely embarrassing 10 him
and more so to hundreds of Republican
candidates for various offices.
but if Mckinley can appear to be
forced into a popular war and quickly
win Il decisive victory over Spain and
libefate Cuba the political conditions in
the United States may be radically
changed.
give hundred millions Of bonds sold
for gold and above Dar would greatly
strengthen the moral standing Of the
advocates Of the gold standard. The
heavy expenses of the war would make
tariff reform agitation less popular; and
Il huge addition to the pension roll. in
which increase the South would largely
share, would remove to a great extent
the sectional appearance of our pension
laws
II think all these facts are now MAX
ing themselves felt in the councils Of
The Republican party. In Spain a SINH
lar condition favorable to war exists and
short war with the United States
would appear to be the only way by
which Spain could let go Cnb1 and not
suffer change Of dynasty. And il Spain
were compelled to emancirate Cuba at
the command OF the United States we
could not refuse to guarantee the safety
of the lives and property Of Cubans who
have been loyal to Spain during the
present insurrection.
IF the patriots win Internationally in
Cuba the lot of the loyalist will pro-
hably be exceedingly, hard and for that
reason the feeling among the Spanish
Cubans in favor of American interven-
ton appears to be steadily growing"
''Will THE finding of the court of in
quiry be the signal for a declaration Of
WARP
Not exactly, | think For l have no
idea the court win find the Spanish
government directly responsible for the
explosion. but will find that it was
caused by some enemy Of the Americans.
probably by Weylerite. Upon this find
ing, our government viii probably IN
form Spain that the condition of affairs
spoken of by Cleveland in his message
of December, 1895. fwhen it should be
come manifest that Spain was unable to
preserve order in Cuba) has come to
pass. All the world would see that she
could neither preserve order on the island
or protect friendly vessels in her harbor,
therefore il becomes our duty to inter
vene. The Spanish government being in
the throes of an electoral campaign
would be compelled to decline our in
tervention and then if ever war would
come.
1T is very much to the interest of the
people of the United States and of the
Southern people, and of Democrats
especially, for peace to be maintained
if it can he honorably. for no matter
how short and victorious the war might
he. il would certainly tend to fasten on
us many of the conditions against which