Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-12-09
THE CUBAN INsURRECToN.
United States Should Maintain Strict
Neutrality.


Cuba is again gravely disturbed An in
surrection in some respects more active than
the last preceding revolt, which continued
from 1858 to 1878, now exists in large part
of the eastern interior of the island, menac-
ing even some populations on the coast. Be
sides deranging the commercial exchanges of
the island, of which our country takes the
predominant share, this fragrant condition of
hostilities by arOusing sentimental sympathy
and melting adventurous support among
people has entailed earnest effort the part
OF this government to enforce obedience to
our neutrality laws and to prevent the terri
tory of the United States from being abused
as vantage ground from which to aid those
in arms against Spanish sovereignity
Whatever may be the traditional sympathy
of our countrymen as individuals with the
people who seem to be struggling for larger
autonomy and greater freedom deepened as
such sympathy naturally must be in behalf
OF our neighbors yet the plain duty of their
government is to observe in good faith the
/ recognized obligations of International rela-
tlOnshlp. The performance of this duty should
not be made more difficult by disregard
the part of citizens of the obligations
growing out Of their allegiance to their coun-
try, which should restrain them from violat-
ing as individuals the neutrality which the
nation of which they members is bound
to observe in its relations to friendly SOW
eriegn states. Though neither the warmth of
our peoples sympathy with the Cuban insur-
gents nor our loss and material damage con-
sequent upon the futile endeavors thus far
made to restore peace and order nor any
shock our humane Sensbilities may have re-
ceived from the crueties which appear to es-
pecially characterize this sanguinary and
fercely conducted war, have in the least
to honestly fulfill every international obliga-
ton, yet it is to be e4Shestly hoped on every
ground that the devastation of armed
flict may speedily be stayed and order and
quiet restored to the distracted island, bring
ing their train the activity and thrift of
peaceful pursuits.
One notable instance of interference by
Spain with passing American ships has oc-
CURED. On March g. last. the Alliance, while
| hon Nn1A ELL
ing the customary track for vessels near the
Cuban shore, but outside the three-n1ile
limit, was fired upon by a Spanish gunboat.
Protest was promptly made by the United
states against this act not being justified
by a state of war, nor permissible in respect
of vessels on the usual paths of commerce,
nor tolerable in view of the wanton peril oc-
| casioned to innocent life and property. The
act was dsavowed, with full expression of
regret and assurance of non-recurrence of
such just cause of complaint, while the Of
Tending officer relieved of his command.
Military arrests of citizens of the United
| States in Cuba have occasioned frequent re-
CARNATIONS. Where held on criminal charges
their delivery to the ordinary civil jurisdic-
ton for trial has been demanded and OBJ
tanned in conformity with treaty provisions,
and where merely detained by way of mill
tary caution under a proclaimed state of siege.
without formulated accusation, their release
or trial has been insisted upon. The right of
American consular officers the island to
prefer protests and demands in such cases
having been questioned by the consular au-
ulated by treaty for the consuls of Germany
was claimed under the most favored nation
! provision of our own convention and was
| promptly recognized.
The Mora Claim.
/ The long standing demand of Antonio Max
| imo Mora gainst Spain has at last been set
| tied by the payment, on the 4th of Septem-
| Der last, of the sum originally agreed upon
I in liquidation Of the claim. Its distribution
among the parties entitled to receive it has
! proceeded as rapidly as the rights of those
! claiming the fund could be safely determined.
The enforcement of ditferential duties against
| products of this country exported to Cuba
and Porto Rico prompted the Immediate claim
on our part to the benefit of the minimum
| tariff of Spain in return for the most favor
able treatment permitted by our laws re-
CARDS the production of Spanish territories.
January last, securing the treatment so
claimed. Vigorous protests against excessive
fines imposed on ships and merchandise
| by the customs officers of these islands for
| trivial errors have resulted in the remission
Of such fines in instances where the equity
Of the complaint apparent, though the
! vexatious practice has not been wholly discon-
/ tinued.