The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-09-17
FOR THE Freedom OF CUBA
There Is Yet Hope for the Island Of
Discomfort.
THE UNITED STATES MAY ACT
Probability That Cleveland viii Inter.
vcnc to stop the Devastation Of tho
Island - The Matter to BE
Laid Before Congress.


Laid Before Congress.
Washington, Sept. 16.-There Is hope
for cuba. Trustworthy information
received here indicates settled pur-
pose ON the part of the American ad-
ministration to intervene between the
Lltriots and their oppressors. This IN
terven,don may take the form of In
ternational action, following the prece-
dent set by President Grant In 1873, or
it may be Approached more directly by
taking advantage of the first adequate
instance of injury to or Imprisonment
of an American citizen in Cuba.
In this connection 1t Is important to
know that Spain was brought to pay
merit of the Mora claim only by the
preparations which this government
had made to occupy the port of Havana
with American warships. That the ad-
ministration had decided upon such an
extreme measure was some time ago
published in the newspapers. 1t was
then denied. But 1t Is true that the oc-
cupation of the port of Havana had
been decided on by the president and
his cabinet. If Spain had not paid the
money war between the United States
and Spain, with independence for Cuba,
might easily have followed The WASH
ineton government had this contingent
cy in view when it made the demand.
The Cuban insurgents do not ask for
recognition as belligerents. Obviously
they do not care for such recognition.
1t would give them only moral support,
and of this they already have enough.
Dr. Rodriguez and other Cuban patri-
OTIS think 1t would be unwise on the
part of this government to recognize
the belligerent rights of the insur-
gents.
Recognition Not Wanted.
DIR. Rodriguez says not single prac-
teal point is to be gained thereby. 1t
merely puts the combatants on an
equality. on the other hand, 1t might
easily operate to the disadvantage OF
the insurgents. 1t confers the right of
search upon the high seas by vessels of
both parties. and. as Is well known, the
CubanS have no vessels. 1t would
greatly increase the chance of seizure
of arms and munition intended for the
revolutionists. At the present moment
ii is within the law of the United States
to sell guns and ammunition to the
Cuban patriots. The only trouble Is i'm
delivering the goods. So long as
state of war is not recognized by this
government Spain can search and
1t would prejudice the interests of
the patriots to give Spain the belliger-
ent right to search upon the open sea.
Furthermore, such recognition would
subject our merchant vessels passing
near the coast of Cuba to endless an
nOyance and detention. During the
ten-year war General Grant was urged
by many Americans to recognize the
belliSerency of the Cubans. He in
quired carefully into the matter and
decided 1t was not desirable even after
the revolution had overrun two-thirds
of the island and had been in progress
seven or eight years.
Recognition as belligerents Is not
what the situation demands. Practical
action is the only thing that will meet
the emergency. Today the cable brings
from Madrid the reported declaration
of the government that no reforms can
be granted the Cubans until they lay
down their arms. This Is precisely the
position which the American govern
ment SO energetically protested against
nearly twenty years ago. 1t was Presi-
dent Grant who brought the Spaniards
down from their naughty disregard of
human rights on that occasion, and it
was not his fault. nor the fault of the
American people, that the pledges
demands were violated as soon as our
backs were turned.
Grants Action u Precedent.
The precedent set by President Grant
lives as guide to present action, and
Spain's bad faith gives ample justitca-
tion for advancing another step with
our diplomacy, for adding force, IL
necessary, to our moral intervention.
M NAts 4.
great justification for actions which are
warranted only by moral rights. In
this case the justification is ample, and
Is likely to be so adjudged not only by
the American people. but by the powers
of Europe. If the United States sets
out to secure the independence of Cuba
Spain Will have no supporter among
the nations. Constitutional liberty
will b. established in Cuba without
the firing of an American gun.
There is little doubt that the Cleve-
land administration will take some de-
cislve step looking to the freedom of
Cuba The executive may act on his
own account. as he may any moment
find pretext for doing. If impelling
cause other than humanity and the
rights of man Is needed it may be
found In the destruction and peril of
American commercial interests. At
least. President Cleveland is likely to
bring the whole matter most forciby
to the attention of congress a few
months hence.
Santiago DE Cuba. Sept T. via Key
West Fla, Sept. 16-In the engage
ment between Spanish Colonel Come
las and Jose MaceO In Santa Maria Sa-
vigne. near Ramon DE Las Yaguas, on
Aug. 81, the rebels had prepared more
than sixty holes filled with dynamite
on the different roads the troops had to
pass. When the engagement was over
Spanish regiment marched past one
OF the traps and the dynamite explod-
ed, blowing to pieces Lieutenant Fran
cisco Ruiz. Captain GregorO Romero
and thirteen soldiers. When the troops
saw this they were 50 filed with terror
that an entire company deserted to the
rebels and remained with them
During the engagement between
| Spanish General Linares and Rebel
Leader Rabi. In Descanao Del Muerto.
near Manganaguas, the Spaniards tool,
Spanish soldier prisoner who had
Joined the insurgents at the beginning
Of the revolution.
His name was Petro Rovira Esterez,
and he belonged to the regiment of
Havana. He was brought to this CITY