Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 March 1898 — Will There Be War? [ARTICLE]

Will There Be War?

Out of the columns upon columns of slush and gush and wild and contradictory rumors now filling the metropolitan papers, enough evident truth may be gleaned to show that very few people any longer pretend to believe the preposterous theory that the Maine wrecked itself. Another undeniable JEact is also evident, and that is that the government is* massing its war vessels, rushing forward repairs on those out of repair, and otherwise making vigorous preparations for a probable war. Of course war may not develope out of the situation, but there is certainly a big chance for it. If it be found that the plotters who wrecked the Maine acted by authority of the Spanish government, war would follow at once; but if, as is much more likely, the plotters were acting on their own authority, war would not necessarily follow, but would still be quite probable. In the latter case our government would demand a heavy indemnity from Spain and the immediate punishment by death of the plotters. Spain, being a very proud nation, and its people being firmly convinced of their power to whip the United States, will very likely refuse these demands, and in that case nothing will be left for the honor and patriotism of this country except to declare war or to make such reprisals on Spanish ships and cities as will result in war.