Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-12-04
Relations with Spain.

Cuba is again Rravely disturbed. An
inSurrectioD. in some respects more active
than the last preceding revolt, which con-
tinued from 1868 to 1873 now exists in a
largo part of the eastern interior of the
island menacing even some populations on
the coast Besides dcranging the com
mcrcial exchanges of the island of which
our country takes the predominant share,
this fragrant condition OF hostlities, by
arousing sentimental sympathy and inct-
| ing adventurous support among our PEG
pie, has entailed earnest effort on the part
of this government to enforce obedience to
our neutrality laws and to prevent the
territory of the United States from being
| abused as vantage ground from which
to aid those in arms against Spanish SOW
ereignty. Whatever may be the traditional
sympathy of our countrymen as individ
uals with a people who seem to be strug
Cling for larger autonomy, and free
dom, deepened AS such sympathy naturally
must be in behalf of our neighbors. Yet
the plain duty of their govern
meut is to observe in good faith
the recognized obligations Of international
relationship. The performance Of this
duty should not be made more difficult
by disregard on the part of our citizens
of the obligations growing out of their
| allegiance TO their country, which should
IT strain them from violating as individ-
uals the neutrality which the nation of
which they are members is bound to
observe in its relations to friendly sover
cign states Though neither the warmth
of our peoples sympathy with the Cuban
insurgents, nor our loss and material
damage consequent upon the futile on
beavers thus far made TO restore peace
and order, or any shock our humane sen
Siblitici may have received from the
crucltiCs which appear to especially char
actCrihe this sanguinary and hc'cely
conducted war, have in the least
shaken the determination of tho govern
mcnt TO honestly fulfill every nternation
| al Obligation, yet ii Is 10 he earnestly
hoped, on every ground, that the devastn-
ton of armed conflict may he speedily
stayed and order and quiet restored to the
| distracted island, bringing in their train
the activity and thrift of peaceful pur
suits. One notable instance of interior
eucc by Spain with passing American
ships has occurred, On March last the
Alliance. while bound from Colon tn
! New York, and following the customary
| track for vessels near The Cuban shore
hut outside the three mile limit, was
! fired upon by II Spanish gunboat Pro
test was promptly made by the United
| States against this act as not b ing Justi-
| fed by state of war, nor permissible in
respect of vessels on the usual paths of
commerce nor tolerable in view of the
| wanton peril occaSionsd tn innocent life
aud property. The act was disavowcd,
with full expression of regret and assur
! ance of non recurrence of such Just cause
of complaint, while the offending officer
was relieved of his command. Military
arrests of citizens of the United States in
! Cuba have occasi0ned frequent reclama-
TORS. Where held on criminal charges
their delivery TO the ordinary civil juris-
diction for trial has been demanded and
obtained in conformity with treaty pro-
visions. and where merely detained b.
way of military precaution under Fro
claimed Of siege without formulated nc
cusation. their release or trial has beer
insisted upon. The right Of Americ Al
consular officers in the island &
prefer protests and demands in sucf
, cases having been questioned by the Insu
lar authority, their enjoyment of the priv
ilege stipulated by treaty for the consuls
of Germany. was claimed under the mos
favored nation provision of our own con
vention and was promptly recognized
, The long standing demand of Antonio
Maxiom Mora against Spain. has at last
} been settled by the payment, on the l4th
OF September last, of the sum original,
agreed upon in liquidation of the claim
, Its distribution among the parties enti
a tied to receive 1t has proceeded as rapid,
I. Us the rights of those claiming tha funs
| could be safely determined. The en-
forcement of differeutial duties agains
! products OF this country exported TO Cub,
9 and Porto Rico, prompted the immetli
d ate claim on our part to the benefit 0