e
period. She has no business to exist. She is a blot, a stain on
the map of the world. Of course there are some good Spaniards,
but they are not in control.

I want Cuba to be free. I want Spain driven from the Western World.
She has already starved five hundred thousand Cubans--poor, helpless
non-combatants. Among the helpless she is like a hyena--a tiger
among lambs. This country ought to stop this gigantic crime. We
should do this in the name of humanity--for the sake of the starving,
the dying.

_Question_. Do you think we are going to have war with Spain?

_Answer_. I do not think there will be war. Unless Spain is
insane, she will not attack the United States. She is bankrupt.
No nation will assist her. A civilized nation would be ashamed to
take her hand, to be her friend. She has not the power to put down
the rebellion in Cuba. How then can she hope to conquer this
country? She is full of brag and bluster. Of course she will play
her hand for all it is worth, so far as talk goes. She will double
her fists and make motions. She will assume the attitude of war,
but she will never fight. Should she commence hostilities, the
war would be short. She would lose her navy. The little commerce
she has would be driven from the sea. She would drink to the dregs
the cup of humiliation and disgrace. I do not believe that Spain
is insane enough to fire upon our flag. I know that there is
nothing too mean, too cruel for her to do, but still she must have
sense enough to try and save her own life. No, I think there will
be no war, but I believe that Cuba will be free. My opinion is
that the Maine was blown up from the outside--blown up by Spanish
officers, and I think the report of the Board will be to that
effect. Such a crime ought to redden even the cheeks of Spain.
As soon as this fact is known, other nations will regard Spain with
hatred and horror. If the Maine was destroyed by Spain we will
ask for indemnity. The people insist that the account be settled
and at once. Possibly we may attack Spain. There is the only
danger of war. We must avenge that crime. The destruction of two
hundred and fifty-nine Americans must be avenged. Free Cuba must
be their monument. I hope for the sake of human nature that the
Spanish did not destroy the Maine. I hope it was the result of an
accident. I hope there is to be no war, but Spain must be driven
from the New World.

_Question_. What about