The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-04
SPANISH WARFARE,

From the N. Y. Tribune.
should the report be confirmed that Count
Valmaseda commander of the Spanish forces
in the Eastern Department of Cuba, has
actually issued the proclamation that came
last week by telegraph, the fact will do more
than could anything else not only to ALLEVIATE
the sympathies OF the world from Spain and
warm all hearts towards her insurgent foes,
but to dash the young hope of her own resur
rectiOn. According to that proclamation, every
native male over fifteen years of age, found
away from his residence without sufficient
cause, is to be executed. Every uninhabited
dwelling and every Inhabited dwelling where
white flag shall be undisplayed, is to be
burned. All women, absent from their homes,
must come to Bayamo or Jguani; If they do not
come of their own free choice, they will be
forced to come. This is simply barbarous. 1t
is war in the old brutal style; war against all
the modern principles OF war; war as it was
conducted in the Middle Ages. 1t suggests
the policy of Philip ii. The barbarity is
marked by that characteristic Of utter con-
tempt for the subject which signalized the
operations of that most Catholic prince. We
have been trying hard of late to think well
of Spain, hoping sometimes against hope.
We have read over again her history with
kindly eyes; we have made generous allow
ance for her difficulties; we have pitied her
SORROWS, cheered her endeavOrs, put the most
charitable construction on her blunders, esti-
mated at their fullest value her national
qualities, thrust forward boldly the promising
features in her new efforts at administration,
praised her Ministers, borne witness to the
good conduct of her people, hailed with enthu-
siasm every indication OF improvement In her
civil system, greeted with hearty thanks her
aspirations after liberty of thought, worship,
and speech, bespoken for her the indulgence
of the public opinion, and maintained stout
conviction that her painful travail would issue
In her deliverance from the ancient thraldom
of tradition; aud now, in moment, she
turns upon us and bids rs believe ourselves
grievously mistaken. She is the same old
Spain her calumniatOrs, as we thought them,
declared her to be-haughty, supercilieus,
cruel, reckless, scornful of the opinion and the
feeling of the civilized world.
She could not, of course, be blamed for wish
ing to retain her possessions. Every nation
on earth does that. All dismemberment is
painful. We do not blame her for employing
force to keep so precious tributary as the
Island of Cuba. Every nation on earth would
do the same. But she Is to blame for using
force as no nation on earth would do who
values its fair fame. War, unhappily, is not
likely TO pass away from the usages of people
calling themselves civilized and bearing thu
name of Christian. Nay, it seems to be al
prevalent as ever. The art OF war is studied
the machinery of war is perfected, to an exten
never dreamed OF till this generation. Th
engines of destruction are numerous and fear
full beyond precedent. But, at the same time
il Is not the monster it used to be. II no
divested of its physical terrors, II is to som
degree divested of its moral hideousness
There is in it's conduct far less of hate and vir
dictiveness than there was. Civilization come
in TO protect all but actual belligerents in Iii
and property. Humanity comes in to sav
even belligerents from all unnecessary su
feripQ through exposure, wounds, and caI
tiyitY. War is entered into reluctantly
under protest, aud with something like a
apology to the spirit OF better ag'
The element of murder is sternly pr'
hibited and kept down. Not life is waste
that can be spared; and the tenderest service
of men and women are pressed into the nel
40 mitigate the horrors that cannot be avoided
This Is now the recognized rule among a
people. A new conscience has been create
fn military and imperial breasts which vi
demand to be respected and obeyed. NO
tiop ia strong enough to disregard its deere
Least of all can a nation afford to disregard
fhat. like Spain, labors under the reproaoh
bsIng behind the rest and claims sympati
on the score of her purpose to cast the
nToaeh of. She should lead the rest, and Ju
INV her title TO praise, as well as her pTomi
of attainment, by showing how well she