The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-29
OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD CUBA

Upon general principles the people OF this
country desire 10 see the nations OF this
continent free and independent Of any Eu-
ropean power or authority. In the case OF
Cuba. particularly. the administration of
her affairs By Spain has for years been 50
VIGOROUSLY corrupt, extravagant and de-
moralizing. that the whole world comedies
Cuban Independence would be a relief from
burdens and exactions long since regarded
as unreasonable, II not cruel.
Cuba has been paying tribute to Spain
for centuries. and at this close OF the nine
teenth century, when enlightened methods
OF government are supposed 70 prevail, the
old bleeding process is stiIl in vogue.
Everything that can be squeezed out OF
the island 10 help along the rotten and
bankrupt concern across the sea is taken
away without regard TO the protests OF the
Cuban people or the impoverishment il
may bring upon them. The only solicitude
the mother country has for its western
dependency Is as 10 whether the annual
tribute viii be certainty. What the po-
Htlcal, social and moral condition OF the
island may be is a secondary matter.
The United States has always looked
with disfavor upon the way Spain has in
considerably treated her colonies In this
hemisphere and those which threw of the
Spanish yoke In the early part OF the CEN
fury had the moral support of our govern
ment throughout all the difficulties which
finally resulted in their independence. II
was natural to sympathize with them, for
they were, In a measure, suffering from
the same kind OF tyrannical oppression
to which our Revolutionary forefathers
had objected. and the establishment of in
dependent Spanish republics In America
could but make our own stronger and
more permanent and afford the world the
spectacle of a continent where republican
institutions were a success.
During the last Cuban rebellion our sym
ing the nine years the revolution drew out
its fitful existence. In 1874. when the in
surrection was already five years old. in
structions were given by Secretary Fish to
Caleb Gushing. our minister to Spain,
which left no doubt as 10 the satisfaction
the establishment of some sort OF Cuban
independence would give TO the govern
mont of the United States. Mr.. Fish said
that should Mr.. CASTELAR,. who was then
president OF the short-lived Spanish re-
public. see fit 10 grant relief to Cuba, even
though the concessions fell short of abso-
Lutte independence. 1t would command the
appreciation OF the United States.
Castelars solution of Cuban difficulties
was to acknowledge the autonomy OF the
island. with parliamentary assembly of
its own, its own administration, fits own
government and a federal tie to unite it
with Spain, as Canada is united with En-
gland so that the island might enjoy lib
erty and with no loss 10 national integrity.
To such a policy as this. Mr.. Fish said,
the United States would make no objec-
ton: on the contrary. hearty cooperation
and support would be given II as the next
best thing to the absolute independence OF
Cuba. Mr.. Fish did not lose the opportu-
nifty OF saying. however. that the United
States would prefer to see all that remains
OF colonial America pass from that cond-
ton into one OF absolute independence OF
Grant believed that independence and
emancipation was the only certain. and
even the necessary, solution of the ques-
tons raised by Cuban disorders.
Just what attitude our present admins
tration win take on this Cuban question
Il is difficult to say. Il has had its hands
so fun of international complications that
possibly many OF them have not
been given the attention which would
have been accorded could they have been
taken up one AT time and definitely set
tea The president some time ago Issued
a proclamation OF neutrality. warning
American citizens not 20 give aid or COM
fort 20 che Insurgents and pretty sue
cosstJl attempt has been made 10 have
the neutrality laws enforced.
The progress 81 events. however. has
turned public attention from the issue or
neutrality 10 tina; Of bellsereut rights
The question which may possibly in
thu very near future become a
pressing one IS as ~ whether The Gu
bans in their struggle for independence.
freedom ard good government have JUST
claim upou the United States Tor tae ac-
Acknowledgement az che rights which are
allowed belrgercnts. Popular wish might
decide ia favor Of this government srant-
ing tbs Cuhaus beI.gereut rights. as ia
keeping With the broad principles o. hui
m4r!Jy aHd International equity. But our
own sympa hies and feelings would hard
~ Be reasons so warrant an aggressive
.~lt.-ee ~ s-tt-- ,.-fass - IL in accord 49,,