The Taranaki Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.]

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9402, 31 March 1898, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.]

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1898.

BPAIN AND THE UNITED STATES.

The report of the officials deputed to inquire into the cause of the Maine disaster, bears out tho suspicion that il was caused by the explosion of a mine or a torpedo under the forepart of the vessel, aud caused a second explosion on board the illfafced ship. The terrible loss of life attendant on the disaster, and the strong suspicion that it was caused by an act of unparalleled atrocity during a time of peace roused the American people to a pitch of frenzy. So strong was the popular feeling of anger against the Spanish authorities in Havaua, that the American people and press demanded that the United States Government should at once call Spain to account. President McKinley, however, refused to do anything rash, prefers ing to wait until it had been decided by the official inquiry whether the explosion had been caused by an accident on board the Maine, or was the deliberate act of Spanisli miscreants in Havana. Now that it has been proved that it was due to the latter, the people of the United States will renew their demands for vengeance on the perpetrators, and it will take the President and his executive al) their time to resist the popular de mand for an immediate declaration of war against Spain. Of course, it may have been tho act of irresponsible persons, of which the Cuban authoiities had no knowledge, and were, therefore, powerless to prevent. It is incredible that it should be otherwise, as the Spanish authorities in Havana were quite aware of the feeling against Spain in consequence of that nation's ill-treat-ment of the unfortunate Cubans, who had been goaded into rebellion. The sympathy for these down-trodden victims of Spanish misrule in Cuba was deep and widespread in the United States, the Government of which had remonstrated strongly against the atrocities perpetrated by the Spanish troops under Woyler, which included the butchery of defenceless women and children. This remonstrance was not relished by the Spanish Government and people, and relations had become dangerously strained between the two countries, when the Maine disaster fanned the fires of American indignation into fierce hatred of the Spanish Government, and war seemed inevitable. President McKinley, however, was not to be rushed into a conflict with Spain until the usual preliminary efforts to avert such a catastioplie had been tiiod and found ineffectual. President McKinley also no doubt remembers tho clause in the " Monroe doctrine, ' which forbids tho United States making war on outside nations. The "Jingoes" styled tins weakness, if not cowardice ; but the thinking portion of the American people support the President, who, in the meantime, had demanded from the Spanish Government better treat ment for tho unfortunate Cubans. The wisdom of this step is now apparent, as our cablegrams state that it is reported that Spain is willing to withdraw her troops from Cuba, and is virtually willing to accept President McKinley 's proposals. If the report is true, and it is to be hoped it is, the people of that unfortunate island, which has been called "the Queen of the Antilles," will soon be free of the thrall of their cruel Spanish oppressors, and allowed once more to engage in the peaceful cultivation of their fertile jboil, which grows all tropical crops in rich profusion and most excellent quality.

In the event of war between the United States and Spain, the latter's naval power will be found at the start considerably in excess of that of the former country, which had but five battleships; two armoured, thirteen protected, and ten unprotected cruisers, nineteen coast dofence, two torpedo boats, and six battleships, aud nineteen torpedo boats building on the Ist of Nov., 1896 ; whilst the navy of Spain at the same date consisted of 120 steamvessels, including seven ironclads. But the United States Government has lately been building and purchasing warships and fast cruisers, and would not bo long in bringing her naval force up to the required strength, as it has command of immense funds, whereas Spain is practically bankrupt. Under these circumstances and the great resources of America, the result of a conflict bo t ween i tsGovernment and that of Spain could have only one ending, viz., the complete defeat of the latter country's forces on sea and land. The further development of this sensational episode will be waited for impatiently by the American" people, who are eager for an opportunity of proving that they are, like most of their ancestors, the majority of whom were British, not tlie sort of men to tamely submit to injury or insult, but on the contrary quick to resent aud punish both.