New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-18
THE PEACE TREATY RATIFIED.

peace between the United States and spain
Is now restored. III theory ana III pracuce' Nv
frst step toward il was taken Oh August -
last when the protocol was signed ana III
armlstlce proclaimed. Next came the sshIns
of the treaty 10y the Commissioners at rams ~"
December 10 The Senate of the thIteu Hla'es
ratified the treaty on February u, ana Oh pei"
ruary 10 the President signed IT ana maze
Wild and effective SO far as lay within 'hc
mower OF the United States Ratihcauoh
bv Spain was all that then remained. 'huer
the malgn influence of Weyler ana Ills KIM
the Spanish Cortes hesiiated TO perform tha'
ACT. for reasons we'll known 10 the World anu
not creditable 10 the Cortes. In those circum-
stances the Queen Regent, who mas on more
than one occasion shown herself worthy de-
eccndant of one OF the worlds greatest royal
families. herself assumed the responsibility.
She dismissed the recalcitrant and factious
Cortes, and herself ratified the treaty as she
had constitutional right TO do. That was
done Yesterday. and thus the process OF peace
making was technically completed.
I-pon this contamination ii is fitting heartily
20 congratulate the Spanish Nation and the
Spanish sovereign. We do not know that they
are vet in a frame of mind greatly TO care Tor
American congratulations Yet the expression
OF such sentiments may properly be made by
us. without ungcnerOus eNultalon and with
full sincerity. No American worthy Of the
name reioces in the loss and humiliation which
Spain has suffered. She suffered them through
our agency. il is true. But we were acting
under the compulsiOn OF those demands of
humanity and civilization that are paramount
10 all others. The necessity was one which
this Nation deplored as much as Spain But
x was necessity And now that ii is all over,
the American Nation Is foremost IN hoping that
Spain will rise from her fall into Il higher and
noher life. and in welcoming every manifesto
tion of n purpose on SPANS part to make the
best of things as they are and as they may he.
SPANS ratification Of the treaty is of merely
formal benefit TO us. To Spain herself II Is of
the greatest practical benefit. and il is for this
latter reason that Americans most rejoice in
Ii, and feel spirit Of generalization toward
Spain
The Queen Regent, too. IS entitled 10 personal
congratulations for the fine moral hcrosm she
has shown and the devotion 10 the best IN
terests of her sons kingdom and people. 1t
was not she, but the Ministry and Cortes, that
led Spain into war. And now when the
results of The war are 10 be accepted. Min
istry and COrtes fail her, and She is compelled
10 net alone. The reason why the Coftcs
would not assume the responsibility Of ra,iica-
ton IS 10 secret. Some were afraid an odium
would attach 10 the acy and wished 10 avoid IT,.
Others Indignantly desired that odium 10 fail
upon The Queen Regent In order 70 discrcdt
the dynasty and open the way for revolution.
The Queen Regent faceS the situation bravely.
She does not share the cowardice Of the one
side. nor fear the treason of the other. And
there is cause for confidence that In her heroisni
she will I've triumphant, Il cannot be that the
chivalry Of Spain will sacrifice a woman for
doing what mou dared not 10 DO. There must
be between the pyrenecs and the Pillars Of