NOTES ON THE WAR.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 52, 29 April 1898, Page 18

NOTES ON THE WAR.

(Special for the N.Z. Tablet.) AN OLD TUOUBLE.

Some kinds of quarrels live long and die hard. On June 21, 1595, a legal dispute broke out between the market community of Burginn (Bavaria) and the Lords of Thiirgen. over the ownership of a bit of forest-land. It has been kept up pretty steadily ever since. This is, of course, an extreme case, hut it serves to illustrate our statement. The quarrel between the United States and Spain over Cuba is not of yesterday. It dates far back towards the early part of the present century, and brought with it the train of circumstances which led to the formulation of the Monroe doctrine against the intervention of European Powers in matters relating to the American continents. The diplomatic correspondence which led to Monroe's message had begun as far back as the days of Jefferson and Madison (1801-1817). In 1 82:1, President James Monroe suspected a secret concert of the Powers in the Holy Alliance to interfere against the rebellious Spanish American colonies in the interests of Spain. In December of the same year Monroe delivered his famous message to Congress that intervention in Spanish America " by any European Power "would be regarded as an act of war. Till the close of the Mexican war of 1845-1848, the attitude of the United States to wards Cuba was a warning cry to France and

England of " Hands off !" In 1825, President Clay warned the French Government that the United States would permit no Power but Spain to occupy the island. In 1840 and again in 1843, when a British attack upon Cuba was feared, the Spanish. Government received assurances that, in the event of any European Power attempting 1 to wrest Cuba from her, she might " securely rely upon the whole naval and military resources of the United States to aid her in preserving or recovering it." The elation that followed the successful close of the Mexican war, led to a forward policy and schemes for extension of territory southward. Cuba was coveted. It had a vast commercial and political value in the eyes of the slaveholding Southern States. It had a strategic value, as it commanded the great lines of ocean transit to Central America and to the newly -acquired and already rising territory of California. Various attempts were made to annex Cuba — some by purchase, others by filibustering expeditions and incitements to revolt. In 1849, during the Narciso Lopez revolt, President Polk proposed to purchase the island for a million dollars. Ten years later a similar proposal was made in the Senate, the purchase price named this time being three million dollars. The proposal was, however, withdrawn. The abolition of slavery in the United States removed one chief ground for annexation. The construction of the grent overland railways removed the other. But the Jingo party in the United States still call for the occupation of Cuba. The events of the past three years show that they have not neglected the old method of filibustering and of fomenting revolt. The other means is the dread resort of war. Judging by its present condition and later history, an independent Cuba would be as thorny a problem as a Cuba for ever in revolt. The only other alternative — after Spain's defeat — would be a Cuba flying the Stars and Stripes. From 1868 to 1878 there was in Cuba a long-drawn crisis strikingly similar, in its main features, to the conditions which have led to the present trouble between the United States and Spain. The Carlist revolution in Spain was the signal for an uprising of the Creole party in the eastern portion of Cuba. The insurrection dragged its slow length along — a dogged, fierce, and desultory warfare — for ten long years. American vessels were searched on the high seas, and in October, 1873, the crew of the " Virginius " were seized by the Spanish authorities, brought to Havana, and there executed to the number of 53. On several occasions diplomatic difficulties occurred which might easily have led to war between the two countries. As far back as June 29, 186!), General Grant endeavoured to mediate between the Spanish Government and the insurgents. He proposed, as the basis of intervention, the independence of Cuba, on payment of a sura to be agreed upon, the abolition of slavery, and an armistice. As in the present instance, the Spanish Government refused to negotiate unless the insurgents first laid down their arms. A full amnesty was offered by Spain. The question of independence was to be decided by universal suffrage. If a majority decided in its favour Cuba was to pay a suitable indemnity, to be guaranteed by the United States Government. The negotiations fell through owing to the illegal execution of some American subjects by the Spaniards, and the detention of some Spanish gunbo.-its by the United States, and the insurrection went wearily on till 1878. The Carlist civil war in Spain raged from 187:5 to 187 G. The Moret law freed a portion of the Cuban slaves in 1870. Slavex'y ceased in the inland by gradual emancipation in 1885. The fo lowing figures will give some idea of the relative strength of the two rival Powers :—: — THE UNITED STATES. The United States have an area of 3,581,885 square miles, and a population, according to the census of 1890, ot G2,(!22.250. It is now estimated at about 71,000,000. Exclusive of numerous bays and sounds, the great republic has a coast line of 13.200 miles on both oceans to defend. Nine ports only are protected by minefields : Portland (Me,), Narragansett Bay, New York (with some mortar batteries) 2 30-ton disappearing guns at Willit's Point, Lon? Island, and the much-talked-of 126-ton gun), Philadelphia. Baltimore, Wilmington (N.C.), Hampton Roads, Savannah, and Pensacola. Boston has tome mortar batterieSj and San Francisco has a minefield, mortar batteries and sowe pneumatic guns. The rest of the coast is defenceless. It will be thus seen that the United States Coast is peculiarly open to attack. The policy adopted of carrying the war into Cuban waters will, however, probably result in keeping the Spanish navy off the American coasts. A successful blocade ot many American ports would be impossible to Spain. Even if it wete attempted, it would merely result in sending the country's c )mmerce along other and open lines, and, in case of necessity, to Vancouver on the Pacific and the Canadian ports of the St. Lawrence on the other side. None the less, considerable damage may be done by Spain to United States shipping. Its extent may be realisediwhen we state that Uncle Sam's exports last year were valued at £219,948,711, of which over £96,000,000 went to the United Kingdom. It should be stated, however, that fully two-thirds of this immense trade are carried under the British flag. The United States navy consists of 27 armoured ships built, and 5 in course of construction. Of this number. 14 (obsolete) were built in the sixties, and 4 in ths eighties — all of iron. The remainder (9) were constructed since 1890 and are all of steel. There are also 32 cruisers, etc., ready, and 2 in course of construction. Of this number 29 are fitted with torpedo tubes, varying in number from Ito 7. Three small paddle steamers are also being built. The torpedo flotilla consists of 9 destroyers, 13 seagoing torpedo boats, 5 second-class boats, 1 third-class, and 4 videttes. The standing army on a peace footing consists of only about 25,000 n?en since 1875. These alone are legally bound for service out of the United States. Besides the regular army, each State is supposed to have a militia, in which all men from 18 to 44 (inclusive) capable of bearing arms are to be enrolled. In 1896 (according to the Statesman's Year-Book") the organised militia numbered 9,505 officers and 107,394 men. The number of citizens who in case of war might be enrolled in the militia is, in round numbers,

10,000,000. President McKinley, who is Commander-in-Chief of the army and navy, could not legally order the militia out of the boundaries of the United States, as, for instance, to invade Cuba. He would call upon the governors of the various States for volunteers, and it would be competent for individual militia men, or whole bodies of them, to volunteer to go abroad. And no doubt an abundant supply of cannon-fodder could be raised in this manner. SPA.IN. The resources of Spain are briefly told. The home country (with the Balearic and Canary Islands) has an area of 196,173 English square miles. She had, in 1887 (the latest statistics to hand) a population of 17,565,632. The people are nearly all Catholics — there being in the country in 1887 only 6,654 Protestants (nearly all foreigners), 402 Jews, and 9,645 Rationalists. The National Debt was, in 1897, £283,054,771 ; the Cuban at the same period £70,220,000, with an annual interest (in 1896) of £3,359,900. The revenue of Cuba seldom exceeds £4,000,000, even in the days of peace. The Spanish navy is in some respects suparior to that of the United States. She has 11 armoured ships — 7 built since 1890, lin 1874, 1 in 1887, and 2 (one a training ship) built in the sixties. Two battle-ships are in course of construction. Spain has also 36 cruisers ready and 3 being built, 7 first-class gun-boats, 23 s oondclass, and 41 third-class — 18 of which were built for Cuba in 1895. The whole fleet is fitted with torpedo tubes, ranging in number from one to eight. There is also a torpedo flotilla consisting of 6 destroyers, 14 sea-going torpedo boats, 4 first-class boats, 2 secondclass, and 10 videttes. The army consists of (1) a permanent force, (2) a first reserve, and (3) a second reserve. All Spaniards of over 19 years are liable to serve for three years in the permanent army ; then for three years in the first, and six years in the second reserve. The colonial army and militia number 236,000 men. In time of war Spain, according to the Statesman's Year Book, may be easily able to mobilise, under the pressure of necessity, 1,083,595 men. The naval forces number about 22,000 men. They are raised by conscription among the seafaring population. The Spanish soldiers are said by military experts to be good marchers, well-drilled, and easily disciplined. Says a contemporary : " Though many people thought Spain helplessly effete, she has managed with much pressure to put 200,000 men into the field in Cuba in two years. At the present time there must be quite 150,000 men in Cuba, of whom 30 percent., if not more, are in hospital from the climate. But the remainder are seasoned and have confidence in themselves." Havanna harbour is reported to be very strongly fortified. The city — which is the capital of Cuba — is at present garrisoned by 28,000 regular troops and 15,000 volunteers. Matanzas, which the Americans contemplate attempting to capture, is also well fortified, as are all the seaports of the island.