The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-11-21

neither of the courses could be justified
by existing law or precedent, and neith-
er would be wise at the present juncture
of affairs. In the first place, it must be
borne in mind that our Government has
already recognized the Spanish Republic,
and extended it cordial right hand of
welcome into the family of nations.
Her present rulers are the warm friends
of the United States. But while CASTELAR,
and his Cabinet would do anything con-
sistent with honor to preserve friendly
relations with the United States their
hands are tied at home by two revolu-
tions With the Carlists laundering
and burning in the North, and the In
transigentes committing all manner of
devastation at the South, and its own
power only partially established on solid
foundations, the Spanish Republic is
hardly in condition to deal with this
Cuban difficulty in that prompt and
thorough way that the case demands.
Then it must be borne in mind that,
while Spanish authority in Cuba is ex-
ceedingIy frail and attenuated at the
best, the Spanish Cubans are Alfonsists,
and hate the Republic at home only q
little less bitterly than the Republic set
upon the Island by the revolutionists.
/ Only little while ago a Cuban was
/ killed for declaring himself a Republi-
can, and the peremptory order of CASTELAR,
/ to the Cuban authorities to stop the exc
cutions in the Virginius case vas dis
regarded and his authority defed.
! Spain is unable to enforce her authority
in Cuba, and the outrage on our flag and
/ honor was also a stab at the Spanish
/ Government It was the act of high
wayman, who should be made to suffer
for it in his own person and to the fullest
extent of the law.
In the present condition of affairs in
Spain an attempt to procure Cuba either
by treaty or purchase would be futile.
The republic could not stand a week af-
ter ceding that Island to the United
States. An attempt to wrench the Is
land from Spain by recognizing its in
dependence would lead to 4 war and SER
ious European difficulties. Those who
clamor for these measures do not con-
slider the costs and consequences of eth
er line of policy. But our Government
can make It's power felt and its authori-
tv respected and dreaded in Cuba by
making an instant demand for Thorough
investigation Of this outrage, and the
immediate punishment of every man
who has had hand in the execution o.
an American citizen or in insulting the
American flag. We have played with
these Cuban cutthroats too long already
! We have dallied with set of despera
: does until they have lost all respect fol
our rights and all fear of our power
National protection and honor require
) thorities, who disregard the authority o.
: Spain and set at defiance the laws of ma
tions and the rights of man, in such ;
direct and energetic manner as shall in
spire them with a wholesome dread. L
: Spain cannot enforce her laws over Cuba
l it is high time that these insolyent Is
Ianders were given to understand tha
= America will not submit 10 trifing
And, furthermore, the time has COM
e for this Cuban imbroglio to end. Their
t has been brutality and butchery ant
burning enough there already for tn
: present century, and the peace that Spail
: cannot maintain while her hands are ful
e of troubles at home should be enforce'
: by our Government in the interest G
S humanity and civilization. We cOul'
t not see the members of household tax
1 ing advantage of the absence of the pc
a lice to cut each others throats withou
!, interfering for the preservation of lif
e and order \ strong fleet in Cuban wa
e tiers, with orders to keep the peace o
0 that Island at any and every cost, woul
= render a treble service-to Cuba, I
's Spain, and to civilization.