Manawatu Herlad. THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1898. The War News.

Manawatu Herald, 2 June 1898, Page 2

Manawatu Herlad. THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1898. The War News.

The news from the seat of war is very discouraging to those who believed in the American assertion that it would only be a three weeks affair. The management on both sides appears remarkably bad and had not Admiral Dewey made the prompt attack on the Spanish fleet at Manila, the position of the Americans would have been almost ridiculous, that is, their action or rather want of action, after their tall talking. What Admiral Dewey has done at the Phillipines has resulted in very little advantage to his State, as he is reported still to be cruising on and off the coast short of coal and provisions, these having been forgotten in the excitement of the victory, When replenished with the munitions he is short of, he still has to place the troops which are being sent him, on the islands, which appears will be as tough a job as it has been shown to be to put troops on Cuba. The Americans when on the Phillipines will be between two foes, the Spaniards and the rebels, so that a very strong force, much stronger than is being sent will be needed to succeed in obtaining possession of the country. Coming to matters closer to the origiri of the war we learn that the invasion of Cuba is further postponed from the fact that the men raised are without guns and others there are no uniforms for. A fact that should strike forcibly home to the Americans is that war preparations have already amounted to sixtytwo millions pounds, without the advantage having yet been gained. With the number of warships patrolling round Cuba, asserted the other day to be nineteen, the Americans have confessed the attempted blockade of that island has been a failure- We are perhaps unpatriotic, but we do not care which side, the Americans or the Spanish, come off victorious, if the quarrel is kept to themselves, but we cannot avoid coming to the conclusion that every day's delay on the part of America to do something in keeping with their assertions, renders the chances of others being drawn into the qnarrel more probable. The weakness of America is Spain's strength, and it may be thought politic by France to risk a general war, though England should side with the Americans, while the Americans are so unfitted to fight even such a weak continental Power as Spain. The French have great visions of colonial territories in Africa, and oddly enough Spain has some small possessions on that continent which she would part with to retain Cuba. Spain has a piece of land opposite Gibraltar which France would very much like to own, and she has also some small islands lying right off the coast of the French Congo, in the Gulf of Guinea as well as some nominal protectorates on the mainland. On the continent it has been stated in the " Pester Lloyd " in "an inspired letter" that the States of Europe will observe neutrality, but, after the war "may make its voices heard." Tho Italian papers expressed a similar view. We can only accept such declaration as meaning that the Triple Alliance of Europe do not intend America to gain any advantage from the war, believing she will be too much indebted to face a very strong opposition. If such things are to follow the war it is possible that a country like France might be glad to accept immediate concessions from Spain for help, and the unreadiness of America will make the proposal very tempting to her, if, which may not be so, she is ready for war. All the news we get from London point to the belief of Ministers that war at any moment may break out, and perhaps, as Great Britain is ready, it would be as . well if it did, as it appears nothing can stop it indefinitely.