Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-28
Speculation as to the Cause of Pres
ent Activity,
HHE FABIAN POLICY ABANDONED
Hope of Its. Influence Upon the
Action Of Congress.
GENERAL CAMPOS SURPRISED

Are Gems. Gomez and Maceo, in assum-
ing the aggressive in the field a. this time
| acting Upon suggestions received from the
friends of Cuba Iii this country? Are they
making bold stroke for that recognition
as beligerants by this government upon
which so much is thought to depend?
Have they been advised of the fine effect
! upon the American people produced by the
Presidents Venezuelan message, and that
by some brilliant play while this feeling is
up they may hope to benefit by it?
Surprise to Gen. CampOs.
Considerations of some sudden and I'M
usual moment are believed to be controlling
the insurgent leaders. New tactics are a
surprise to Gen. Campos and are hardly to
be explained by any change in the situa-
tion on the Island. Everything seemed to
point to a continuation for some time Of
the Fabian policy pursued from the be-
ginning. The large increase in the Spanish
forces alone appeared to make that policy
necessary. But defying the whole Spanish
| army, and taking other great risks, Gems.
Gomez and Maceo have come out into the
open and sent a thrill of surprise and ap
prehension all along the Spanish line. The
effect, indeed has been felt far as
Havana, and even in this country the in
surgents. by this move, and by the numbers
they are displaying, have advanced them
Action From Congress- Hoped.
The friends of Cuba in the United States
are still hoping for such action by this gov
ernment as will formally express the SYM
pathy felt by the people, regardless of
party, for the Cuban cause. That sympathy,
they are satisfied, has not been diminished
by recent more stirring events. Venezuela
has simply for the time overshadowed Cuba.
But, both causes being just, both in the end
ought to triumph by American aid. Cuba,
the friends of the island claim. has every
right to share in the destiny and prosperity
of this hemisphere, of which 1t is a part.
Spanish oppression there is as Objectionable
| to liberty-loving people as is English ag-
gression in Venezuela, and the United
States, it is held, ought to do according to
its power and the circumstances that exist,
as much for the one cause for the other.
The sympathizers with Cuba, therefore, see
In the prompt response of the people to the
Presidents words about VeneZuela a spirit
promising much to Cuba if the insurgents
by one or two distinct triumphs in the field
can demonstrate both strength and stay
ing Qualities. Even if the present advance
should prove to be only a raid, the audacity
shown and the ability displayed must, it is
believed, have an inspiring effect for the
cause everywhere.
Why Venezuela Was Selected.
More or less discussion has prevailed ever,
since the Presidents annual message was
sent to Congress respecting his choice of
NeneZt ella over Cuba subject for a
patriotic deliverance. In the opinion of
many of his friends, Cuba's case, being the
more pressing, was the better of the two.
And they wondered that he did not take it,
Venezuela's case was good but it was still
open to arbitration. Cubas, on the othar
hand, bad passed into the field of open
warfare, and possessed SO many likenesses
to the case of the United States in the re-
volt against Ell gland that it touched Amer
lean sympa thies at every point.
What the Presidents Friends Say.
Some friends of the President, replying 10
this criticism, declare that his action is
justified even if his choice rests only on
the matter of the size of the two powers.
They are glad that he took England rather
than Span. The one is nation of the
first conseqrence-of Uncle Sans own size
The other is poor and decaying nation,
more than century past its meridian and
fast fastening to something like helpless
ness The assertion in the English case is
better. they think, for this reason than it
would have been in the Spanish case 1t
carries more with it for the world at large
to weigh and consider. 1t leaves nothing
uncertain as to what the United States
really thin ks of itself, and of its mission
among the nations. If it will stand up to
England it will stand up to anybody.