The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1898-04-21
BRITAIN APPROVES.
The Attitude of the United States
But John Dillon Does Not.


reached an impasse, from which
there is no issue but war, or the
hauling down of the Spanish flag, it
has been found in President McKin-
ley's reply to the Embassadorial ote,
presented in Washington on Thurs
day last, so strikingly reasserting the
determination that there is only one
way to prevent the United States
intervening to end the intolerable
situation. As a matter of fact no
confirmation was wanted, for Eu-
ropes real hope Of peaceful solu.
ton OF the question was based upon
the belief that when they realized the
futility of the high strung talk about
their honor the Spaniards would
accept the alternative or surrender.
The Embassadorial appeal at WASH
ington was regarded as an obvious
formality. The British officials view
OF the matter is that the occasion is
one Of the sole exercise of American
discretion and that the American
attitude toward Cuba is the same as
any other civilized and self-respect
ing government would have under
similar circumstances
Practically the whole OF this coun-
try takes the same view of the ease.
Great Britain has nothing to thank
Spain for. Whenever commercial
questions have been raised Great
Britain has found Spain obstructive,
intractable and arbitrary, as the
United States finds her o.day, and
the modicum of sympathy found in
some quarters is simply sort OF
sentimental pity at the fact that
Spain should be deprived Of her last
great colony. One of the few dis
cordant notes in the pecan of SYM
pathy with the aims OF the United
States comes from quarter it was
least expected from. The Freeman's
Journal, the organ of the Irish
Nationalist leader, John Dillon, a
paper claiming to represent the Irish
party, after fat-footedly expressing
the hope that Spain will win in the
expected war, asks "Is there a nation
in the world which could brook the
insults leveled at the Spaniards in
the American press or which would
not protest against the Standard
deliver policy adoptedW
During the course OF a conversation
high Official of the British Foreign
Office said: "The certain difficulties
and possible dangers which the
United States is inviting by its atti-
tude, besides the vast cost and the
disquieting uncertainties OF war
itself, all of which could be avoided
by policy of indifference, shows the
single-mindedness of the American
aims, and constitute an irresistible
claim on the sympathies of other
nations, for the assured losses are
not counterbalanced by any prospect
OF gain. The Presidents policy is
statesmanlike and essentially hui
name, and while we may view APP
prehensively the ultimate results to
America herself in the necessity for
introducing order in the government
of Cuba, the solution of the insuffsr-
able scandal will not be too dearly
purchased at the cost of war. The
maleficent rule of Spain in Cuba has
got to end now, for neither America
nor any ono else will trust her pro-
misses, so often broken, especially
after the telltale correspondence
which resulted in the recall OF Senior
Dupuy de LONE.
Nevertheless" added the foreign
official, america has taken up an
enviable task. After driving out the
Spaniards, she will have to send
troops to crush the Cubans, who are
rebels at heart, and who will not sub
matt tamely to any form of Govern
ment which will deprive them of
their occupation of fighting"
There is much interest here in the
priyateering aspect Of the expected
hostilities, and the experts of the
Alabamas on both sides will be
i !