The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-11

which on both sides is declared to be
war of determination on the one hand or
liberty and Spanish exclusion on the other'
This condition must cease. The Spanish atter
two years war have Jailed to establish peace
and the insurgents have failed 10 reaeh their
hoped-for independence.
This war of determination must stop. This
Congress of the United States has already
recognized by solemn resolution the 5elliger-
ent rights of Cuba, but so long as it has not
received the executive approval it has no
force And If had it is conceded that some
other course must be taken. The question to
be determined is not fully clear except that
the war must cease. To the average Spanish
gentleman, Spain is the object of alteration,
but Spain without Cuba is to him the world
without the sun. The revenue from Cuba has
been the chief joy of Spain for many years,
and if Cuba should now be separated from the
Spanish throne the situation would cease to
shine upon the Alhamb bra.
Cuba to-day is lost to Spain. The public
proclamation of Spanish defeat may not have
been officially and definitely announced, but
in truth and fact the submission OF Cuba Will
never again be yielded as of old. The tribute
of So, 900 900 to $40,000,000 annually so
long exacted will never again replenish the
treasury of Spain. The struggles OF 1898 and
1896 may sadly cripple Cuba, but they will
and climate and its unparalleled capabilities,
viii regain in material wealth and growth
under benign Influences far more than she
has lost. The blood of her people spilled upon
her soil will yield growth OF independent
citizenship consecrated to liberty. This age
is not an age of retrogression.
Whatever may be said regarding our duty
as q Nation toward friendly power which is
striving to suppress an instruction in Cuba,
10 ic.
understands the situation. Every humane
heart, American or foreign, sympa hizes
deeply and sincerely, not with the rapine and
piIlage by which the insurgents in Cuba seek
10 weaken their enemies, but with the spirit
which leads them to look constantly and with
hope toward that star of liberty which they
believe will lead them TO Cuba libre.
The American people are coming to the con-
sideration Of the Cuban situation, as they al
ready have in certain other cases, as great
political question: continental question, if
you please. And political and continental
question it viii be decided ultimately by the
continent whose interests are most clearly in
volved Geographically considered Cuba can
not belong to Spain. Geographically Cuba is
in American waters and politically IL is en-
titled to Statehood in the continent OF Ameri-
can republics. This great continental ques-
ton, therefore, when stripped of all complica-
tons, becomes in palmer, simple language,
'Shall Cuba be free?'
This country will never consent to the trans
formation of Cuba into a slave-pen for the
holding in servitude OF the captured patriots
and insurgents who are fighting for the barest
rights OF men. We will not permit that island,
q land which has the brightest possibilities
for people of intelligence and enterprise, to
be made the abiding-place OF death and de-
struction. This war now being waged is
aYoWedly a war OF determination or utter
crushing out of liberty on Cuba's $4,000
square miles of territory. Think of i'll An
island which in ordinary years exports more
than million tons OF sugar and many mil
lions of dollars in value of other products.
Has the United States no interest III our own
trade and commerce with an island from
which we receive fully 80 per cent OF the vast
sugar product and much the larger part of al
her other productions? The interest of the
United Sta ties, counting all things passing be-
tween the two countries, reaches perhaps
800, 000,000 annually, and already this trade
has been practically wiped out.
1 believe il to be the duty of the United
States to use the great power attaching to the
Nation TO declare and maintain prerogative
OF right belonging generally 10 republican
ism and specifically to this Republic, that no
charnel-house OF ruin shall be continued in
our very front gate, any longer than the time
it shall require to break it up. And If the duty
OF suppressng this damning blot and erasing
IL forever from sight shall fall upon the United
States, so be it. Have we fallen so low as to
have forgotten the sacrifices which men OF
genius and character and honor m ade in be-
half of this country in its days OF trouble?
We shall not stand alone in the warfare which
may follow in behalf OF common humanity.
Nation after nation VIII make joint cause with
US in suca a struggle, and when we have sue
ceeded and shall have made into law the prin-
ciple, and made into history the fact, every
other country worth naming will regret its
mistake in not participating in the humane
work.
The effort cannot fail. We shall not wage
any warfare for the acquisition of territory for
ourselves. We shall not claim Cuba as a re-
ward for saving her from the slaughter, but we
will not see that fair island turned again to
the mercies of wild beasts aud vultures of war
whose only stimulus is gain. Cuba libre-free
Cuba-is the reward, and what a glorious re-
ward that will be! Every citizen of the United
States will feel that his American birthright
an as American freeman will mean something.
settlement must be made. The account
has been open and running long enough. To
its settlement we may properly invite the CO.
operation OF all the republics of the American
continent. If other means fail we may con-
slider the prcpriety OF fair purchase of Cuba.
That method has had its share of considera-
ton by Americans. Not that we want the ter
ritory, but we mean that the trouble shall
meet just settlement and construction.
The wisdom and discretion of an American
President and Cabinet can safely find a way
20 determine the trouble without imperiling
the interest of our country or our people l
have little choice or preference as to the par
ticular method, but do want. and know the
public expects, settlement on humane and
just basis. The United States can do no less
Than TO initiate this effort for humanity and
liberty.
At the conclusion of Cullom's speech
Call Cd of Florida then took the floor
and spoke on the CUBAN question. Calls
joint resolution was at the close of his
speech referred to the Committee on For
eign Relations.
The bill to amend the immigration
laws was then taken up as unfinished
business.
Gibson CD of Maryland favored the
postponement of the consideration of the
bill ill after the holidays.
Lodge (R.) of Massachusetts. in charge
of the bill, opposed any postponement