Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-12-10

own advantage. Such a condition OF things
would inevitably entail immense destruction
of property even If it were the policy of both
parties to prevent it as far as practicable But
while such seemed to be the original policy OF
the Spanish government, 1t has now apparent
iy abandoned it. and Is acting upon the same
theory as the insurgents namely. that the ex-
igencieS Of the contest require the wholesale
humiliation of property. that it may not
prove OF use and advantage TO the enemy.
It Is to the same end that in pursuance OF gen.
eral orders, Spanish garrisons are now being
withdrawn from plantations and the rural pop
ulation required to concentrate itself In the
towns The sure result would seem to be that
the industrial value of the island is fast di-
minishing and unless there is speedy and
radical change in existing conditions, it will
soon disappear altogether. That value con-
siSts very largely. OF course, in its capacity to
produce sugars. q capacity already much re-
duced by the interruption to tillage, which
have taken place during the last two years
1t is reliably asserted that should these in
terruptions continue during the currant year,
and practically extend, as it is now threat
ened, to the entire sugar producing territory
of the island, much time and much
money will be required to restore the land to
its normal productiveness that it is extremity
doubtful IL capital can be induced to even
make the attempt The spectacle of the utter
ruin of an adjoining coun try, by nature one OF
the most fertile and charming on the globe
would engage the serious attention of the gov
ernment and people OF the United States under
any circumstances. In point OF fact, they
have concern with it which is by
means of wholly sentimental
or philanthropic character 1t lies so near to
US Us to be hardly separated from our territory.
Our actual pecuniary interest in it is second
only to that of the people and government of
Spain. 1t is reasonably estimated that at least
from $50. 000.00o to 500 O.00o Of American cap
ital are invested in plantations and in railroad,
mining and other business enterprises on the
island. The volume of trade between the
United States and Cuba. which in 1889 amount
ed to about S64, 900, rose in 1893 to about
sl03.0 0.O0D. and in 1884, the year before the in
Surrection broke out, amounted to nearly $685.
00l,0 O. Besides this large pecuniary stake in
the fortunes of Cuba, the United States finds
itself inextricably involved in the present
test in other WAYS. both vexatious and costly.
Many Cubans reside in this country and directly
promote the insurrection through the press by
public meetings, by the purchase and shipment
OF arms. by the raising of funds and by other
means which the spirit of our institutions and
the tenor of our laws do not permit to be made
the subject of criminal prosecution. Some of
them, though CubanS at heart and in all their
feelings in interests, have taken out papers
naturalized citizens of the United States
proceeding resorted to with view to possible
protection by this government and not unnatu-
rally regarded with much indignation by the
country of their origin.
These inevitable entanglements of the
United States with the rebellion in Cuba. the
large American property interests affected
and considerations of philanthropy and hu-
manly IN general nave lea TO 2 vehement de-
mand in various quarters for some sort of pos
tive intervention the part of the United
States. It was at first proposed that belliger-
ent rights should be accorded to the insur-
untimely and in practical operation clearly
perilous and injurious to own
interests. 1t has since been and
is now sometimes contended that the
independence of the insurgents should be
recognized. But imperfect and restricted as
the Spanish government of the island may be.
no other exists there, unless the will of the
military officer in temporary command OF a
particular district be dignified q
species of government. It is now suggested
that the United States should buy the island. a
suggestion possibly worthy of consideration if
there were any evidence of desire or
willingness on the part of Spain to en-
terrain such proposal It is urged. finally.
that all other methods failing, the existing in
ternecine strife in Cuba should be terminated
by our Intervention. even at the cost of war
between the United States and Spain, war
which its advocates confidently prophecy could
be neither large in its proportions nor doubtful
in its issue. The correctness OF this forecast
need be either affirmed nor denied. The United
States has nevertheless the character to main
tain as nation, which plainly dictates that
right and might should be the rule of its con-
duct
1t would seem that if Spain should offer to
Cuba genuine autonomy. measure of home
rule which, while preserving the sovereignty of
Spain would satisfy all rational requirements
of her Spanish subjects. there should be no
just reason why the pacification Of the island
might not be effected that basis. It was in
timated by this government to the government
of Spain some months ago that if u Satisfac-
tory measure of home rule rendered
the Cuban insurgents and would be
copied by them upon a guaranty Of its
execution the United States would en-
deavOr to find way not objection
able to Spain of furnishing such guaranty.
1t should be added that it cannot be reasonably
assumed that the hitherto expectant attitude
OF the United States will be indefinitely main
tanned While we are anxious to accord all
due respect to the sovereignty OF Spain,
cannot view the pending conflict in all its
features. and properly apprehend our inevita-
BILE relations it and it's possible results with
out considering that by the course of events
we may be drawn into such unusual and
unprecedented condition as will fix limit to
our patient waiting for Spain to end
the contest either alone and in
her own way. or with our friendly cooperation
When the inability of Spain to deal success
fully with the insurrection has become mani
fest, and it is demonstrated that her Soyer-
eighty is extinct in Cuba for all purposes of its
rightful existence, and when hopeless strug-
gle for it's re-esta blishment has degenerated
the useless sacrifice of human life and then
the conflict, situation will be presented in
which our obligations to the sovereignty of
Spain will be superseded by higher obligations
which we can hardly hesitate to recognize and
discharge