Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-07-29
Why Not Recognize the cubans.

not satisfied with what our government
has done for Spain. He might be better
pleased to have this government send
Cap'n Bob Evans with the New York
down to Cuba to assist 10 putting down
the rebellion. 1t would be very convenient
for bankrupt old Spain, already tottering
from decrepitude and misgovernment, to
have Uncle Sam take the Cuban war oil
her hands, humble the insurgents and
then turn the fair ISL over to its old tax
masters without charge. or course
we could do little more, although we might
call for popular subscriptions to defray
the expense Of subjugating downtrodden
people.
One might almost infer from the re-
ports concerning the Spanish minister's
attitude that he really expected some
thing of this sort and would receive 1t,
not SO much with gratitude, as in sense
Of obligation cancelled. If Secretary Oh
ney and President Cleveland could but
get the Spanish minister into room alone
with them and vigorously impress him
with their respective personalities perhaps
he would consent to deduct the amount Of
the Mora claim from the public subscrip
ton.
Some may feel that the Spanish don Is
not very considerable. Why should he be-
He has made himself thoroughly &C
quainted with Mr.. Cleveland's foreign
policy and he has heard without tremor
that Mr.. Olney was to give MS an unadul-
ttrated American administration OF it.
Indeed we doubt If it has occurred to him
that 1t Is about time for this country to
recognize the Cuban insurgents. We
think we can assure him tina 1t has oc-
CURED to many OF the people OF this coun-
try, who are In a mood to suggest 1t to
Grover Cleveland. The whole island Is In
the threes of revolt. The instruction,
the Spanish authorities assured US nearly
six months ago, was simply little
furry and the demonstration of few
renegades and in no sense represented
the people of Cuba, who were glad of a
chance to lick the hand of exactlons and
cruelties. 1t may be presumed that they
still expect rs to believe 1t after all these
months have passed with nothing but re-
verses for the Spaniards They succeeded
in having the leader, Marti, killed by
treachery but the death of the patriot
has served to arouse the people to create 1
exertions. Over so, 900 troops have been
sent to the island to put an end to this lit
tie furry" The rebellion cause has con-
tinucd to spread, however, until there is
now reason to hope for Its success. The
Spanish government is thoroughly
frightened Tho Spanish troops are
hemmed in. ..rhey may win in the
end if other governments aid Spain
tacitly or otherwise. But there Is grave
doubt if she can subdue the island with
out such aid. The cause of the insur-
gents is just. 1t appeals to every patriotic
sentiment In favor of people struggling
from country whose government has
ever been synonymous with cruelty. The
insurgents deserve recognition If they have
done what it appears they have. AT
least it is certain that after this lapse Of
time their cause is stronger than at the
first; acknowledged to be by the Spaniards
liz
ment recognize the Cubans?
They must in the nature Of things be
free at some time in the not very far dis
tant future, even should they fail now
and they will not fail this time, we be-
ieve, if the United States recognizes their
government. Cuba free, ought to be, from
the nature of location and all other cir
cumstances, bound to us by the laws OF
trade If by no other laws The words OF
the London Times spoken a few days ago
in favor of the insurgents lead to the sus-
picion that England would like to keep
on the good side of the insurgents and
command the future trade of that island,
which would indeed be the pearl of the
Antilles IL under free government.
1t might be well for the Spanish
minister to recall these facts before be-
coming too exacting. 1t might be well
for Messrs. Cleveland and Olney to bear
these things in mind before resortng TO
another proclamation. But whether ex-
actions be made or needed the sympathies
of the American people are rightly with
the Cuban insurgents, who will contnue
to receive aid from this country despite
prolamations and In spite of administra-
tons
Shame Upon the South.
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