Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1898. "Peace, Peace, When There is no Peace."

Manawatu Herald, 7 June 1898, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1898. "Peace, Peace, When There is no Peace."

-4 The news that the Spanish Government has requested the intervention of the European Powers to bring about a condition of peace baa been looked upon by some of our contem poraries aB a sign that Spain was seeking peace at any price. This we very much doubt and recalling the news sent us a week ago the message , qow received appears but an echo of it. It was then stated that the Spanish Ambassador had been offered a seat in the new Ministry but had decided to remain at his post to influence France in the favour of his country, and to do that he would be bound to also seek all the assistance from the other continental Powers that he could. Then again, all that Spain would ask would be to secure peace. It was not Spain that com menced the war, and she strongly remonstrated with America about going to war at the very time a local government was about to be granted to Cuba. The shot was however fired, and war ensued, but with what avail? With the coasts of, Cuba nominally blockaded ; with at any rate a procession of American war ships in the waters on the north and south of the island ; with two or three ports having been bombarded, and, according to American accounts some of the forts reduced to ruin, the discontent said to be so powerful in Cuba, as, for the honour of Christianity it was necessary for America to intervene, not one single instance of assistance to the Americans from the interior has been recorded. Spain holds splendid points on which to seek for interference and as she is similar to the gambler, and is making her last stake, she would prefer to concede her territories to an ally for assistance than to a foe from defeat. This is the point where a general war will probably arise. If no continental Power will try to bell the American cat, Spain will fight as long as she has a dollar in the locker, and so will America. There must be some very material advantage offered any country who will back Spain up, and to France she can hold the most tempting baits, and the anxiety "of the world rests on whether France will rise to the offer. If Russia was a firmer allay of France than she really is, we believe France would ba prompt to act, but feeling insecure as to Germany, France can do nothing which Russia does not approve of. It is unnecessary here to again go over the ambitions of Russia, France and Germany, but however much they would like to get their own way, they are fully alive to the improbability of the three agreeing upon their actions, and it is admitted that Germany in any general war would either keep clear or else side with England. Trade, the great necessity of England and \rnerica, is also of great moment to Germany, and though the Emperor, who is as fickle as a weathercock, does like to talk in a very unfriendly way towards the land of his grandmother, yet suddenly turns round and applauds the deeds of her troops ; but trade is mightier than the Emperor, and his people know that wherever the English flag flies there every trader is welcomed, and they at any rate would rather see England to the fore, than their neighbours the French. There can be no doubt but that the Spaniards have displayed far better diplomaoy than their opponents have, and where it possible to conceive of America agreeing to peace there should be peace ; but peace appears at present utterly impossible as America has not set foot in Cuba yet, so as to establish the slightest right to its possession, and Spain will certainly not, as yet, agree to part with it. Guba will only become a portion of the United States after it has been secured and held a certain time. We cannot see therefore the slightest hope for peace, but on the other hand, owing to the weakness of the Americans having been so terribly exposed, we fear a general war.