Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-10-24
The situation in Cuba.

and enough people to make a comforta-
bio little island republic. On these
tho people Of the United
States are sympathetic with all egiti-
mate efforts to make Cuba free and in
dependent. For commercial reasons,
also, We should like to see the Spanish
hold on Cuba broken. We have'con-
siderable trade with the island and
would have good deal more were it
not for the laws which Spain hss made
to discriminate against U.S.
Notwithstanding all of this, it does
not necessarily follow that the time has
come TO recognize the beligerent
rights OF the Cuban insurgents. Our
commerce with Cuba has long been fet-
tered by unfair determinations, and
the reasons for Cuban independence
have existed in full force for many
years; but the occasion has not offered
for our government to take step in
the matter. Whether such an occasion
is now offered depends entirely upon
whether the present uprising has some
assurance of final success. If this up
rising in Cuba becomes a successful
rebellion and organizes an orderly gov
eminent which can maintain itself by
arms, then ii will be wise and proper
for the United States to recognize not
only its belligerent rights but in short
order its Independence Our policy
"a i,a - II,
friendship for the Cuban republic as
soon as Cuban republic comes into
existence. But there Is vast differ
ence between recognizing and beiriend-
ing Il Cuban republic Sin esse" and
attempting to do the same thing for
Cuban republic when it is only "in
posse. -
Full and accurate information Is hard
to get in regard TO the situation in
Cuba, but our government must havo
that kind of information before il ven.
lures on decisive step. He who
would clamor for our government to
60 ahead on meagre and uncertain
news, is not a wise American. Even il
his heart BIO all right, his head is too
hot for his counsel to DO worth listen.
ing to.
But as difficult as accurate informa.
ton is TO obtain, two substantial facts
impress themselves on everyone who
reads the scraps of conflicting news
which como from Spanish and Cuban
sources. Ono is that the Cuban insur-
rection is pretty serious affair 1t is
a good deal more than an ordinary and
passing commotion. Its long continu.
ance and the size of the Spanish force
which has vainly striven TO restore
order under Spanish rule, prove that
much.
The other substantial fact is that the
instruction has thus far largely taken
the form Of guerilla, instead of regular,
warfare. Small bands wander through
more or less remote parts of the coun-
try and swoop down occasionally on
plantations or small settlements for de.
struction or plumber. The contest with
the regular troops have generally been
Of the fire and dodge order. OF course
the government of the United States
can not recognize the belligerent rights
OF guerilla bands.
There has also been not little news
about the use Of dynamite in wreckinp
passenger trains on the railroads. Such
news is distressing to prudent and sim
cere friends of Cuba. This morning,
for instance, the following dispatch
came from Cuban sources via Key
West, Fla:
On the 9th inst. the passenger train
that left Los MiDos station was blown
from the track near Puerto Principe.
The raj ls for loo feet were torn up the
locomotive was badly damaged, and the
guard car, in which were 70 soldiers,
under the command of lieutenant,
was blown about so feet, completely
demolshing it.
Blowing up passenger trains is no
part of war. Our recognition Of the
beligerent rights of Cuban insurgents
must be preceded by news of an exactly
opposite sort. We want to hear of a
civil government, erected by the insur-
gents, restoring order and maintaining
regular laws in tho territory held by
their arms. We want to hear more of
regular battles fought and won, and
good deal less of bushwhackinr OK.
ploiis.
The State Sentinel" alleges that
Mr., f. f. Bach was recently sent into
Sussex county by Mr.. Anthony Hig.
gins on diplomatic mission. The
mission was accomplished by delicately
communicating to "a prominent Re-
publican of Sussex" the suggestive
statement that Mr.. Higgins is willing
to be one Of the delegates from this
State to the National Republican Con
yention next summer and Ia also will
ing for Mr. Addicks to be delegate.
The prominent Republican" to whom
this diplomatic communication was
made, is man who can comfortably
open up the subject with Mr.. Addicks,
Inc Addicks people openly and bluntly
regard this as tantamount to an humble
petition to Mr.. Addicks please to let
Mr.. Higgins go to the convention.
But then the Addicks crowd were
always bumptious and cock-sure OF
their almightiness; and in this case
they forget that the county committee
may get Mr. Addicks so thoroughly
read out of the party by next summer
that he will not be eligible to sit in
the National Convention.
/
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