Omaha daily bee., 1898-07-22
ASsAlLrNa SpAlN AT HOME.

1t is now understood TO be the inten-
ton of the government to send a larger
fleet into Spanish waters than was Mt
first contemplated. The idea at Wash
lngton appears to be that It is desirable
to make this naval demonstration as
formidable as possible, with n view TO
the moral effect upon Europe as well
as giving the Spaniards a stronger i'm
preston of our sea power available for
operations against their home ports.
The fact that very little has been said
recently In regard to this projected
movement suggested that IL might be
postponed or perhaps abandoned, but
it seems hat nothing of this sort has
been thought of at Washington.
Meanwhile we have been getting some
opinions from European sources regard
ing the proposed expedition and these
are not generally favorable. The Lon
don Chronicle suggests that 1t would be
a mistake, because while 1t could not
materially harm Spain 1t would only
be likely to reunite the Spaniards Unto
an impervious obstinacy of endurance
and n determination to suffer to all
lengths The London Times says the
arrival of an American squadron in
Spanish waters would be an 'unwelcome
spectacle to more than one European
power," but would not necessarily bring
about European intervention, while Il
! Berlin paper urges that sit would be a
profound political mistake to send Com
modore Watson to the Spanish coast
and that even an occupation of the
| Canaries might lead to regrettable com
plicatiOns.
These opinions are worthy of consid-
Grafton. There is no question, of course,
in regard to the right of the United
States to carry the war to Spain. Ihere
Is nothing In International law that for
bids this government sending q fleet
into Spanish waters or bombarding the
ports of Spain. We have the same right
to assail Spain at home as to attack
her colonies. The only question Is thai
of expediency. Should we gain any
| substantial advantage from the move
ment and thereby hasten the restora-
ton of peace? 1t is the policy of this
government to bring the war to an end
as soon as possible and 1t should unhes-
itatingly adopt any course which it is
believed will help to that consuming
ton. Undoubtedly some Of the euro
pean powers would regard the appear
ance of an American feet off Spain
with disfavor, but there is little danger
+1,,t =, of than, would 1ttnnnt intnf.
vention. The two nations of Europe
France and Austria-that are most con
cerned for the security of Spain coult
not unite for the protection of tina
country. Our government is understood
to have received renewed assurances o.
the intention of Germany to observe
strict neutrality and there is no doub
regarding the friendly attitude of Rus
sia.
There is 10 apparent reason, there
fore, for ap~prehending European inter
ference if the United States carries thu
war to Spain. AS to the possible effec
upon the Spanish people there Is a dit
ference of opinion. While some think
with the London Chronicle, that !
would reunite the Spaniards an
strengthen the determination to con
tinue to suffer to all lengths, others ar
! equally confident that it would increas
the feeling of hopelessness that nov
widely prevails and cause a more urgen
pressure upon the government to sue 70
peace. We are inclined to regard tn
latter as the more probable result. Spar
!, ish obstinacy is pr%overbial, but the eS
perience of the past is not an absolutel
safe criterion for the present. Spal
has had bitter lessons, but none nor
, bitter han she Is now having and he
: people realize as never before the hope
: lessness of their struggle.