WHY SPAIN WENT TO WAR

Otago Witness, Issue 2320, 18 August 1898, Page 19

WHY SPAIN WENT TO WAR

The Madrid E.ioca, tho most influential Conservative organ, publishes a long letter, in which the generally accepted docrine that Spain was compelled to go to war by considerations of national dignity is called in question. The following is a condensed translation of the principal portion of the letter: — "Wo went to war, not for dignity, but from fear— fear of tho Carlists, fear of revolution, fear of internal disturbances. A strong Government, confronted by a war which mu&t inevitably result in the loss of Cuba and Puerto Rico, and possibly the Philippines, an increase of the national debt to a frightful extent, the creation of a dangerous internal situation, etc., would have chepn the lesser evil and defended itself against those who accuse it of wanting in dignity. A Carlist. rising would soon have been suppressed without our being exposed to the danger of losing territory. The Republicans could have provoked only trifling disturbances, which could have bean dealt with by tho civil guard. As for the army, the soldiers returning from Cuba would have gladly gone to their home?. Will iiot tho defeat of Spain, with the loss of Cuba and Puerto Rico, together with a formidable insurrection in the Philippines, be more likely to produce internal conflicts? It was the duty of the Government to avoid a conflict and not let itself be carried away by the* current of Spanish jingoism. Now Senor Sagasta finds himself in an impasse. It is too late to make peace without bluphing, and too late to save the colonies; but it may yet be time to save Spain from economic ruin."

The United States will not be likely to entor another war without magazines full of smokeless powder. Admiral Sampson soon •found out that the cruiser New Orleans, which got its equipment in England ,_ could make better practice with the aid of its smokelos* powder than any of his other phips could with powder of the old fashion. When the Nc-.v Orleans fired no smoke drifted back to disconcert the _aim of the gunners in the next broadside. In the land fighting about Santiago the American batteries exposed their location by their smoke, while the Spanish batteries, using the other kind of powder, could not be easily seen.