The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-30

TO the frontier Of the United States and
the fact that IL Is universally regarded as
a part OF the continental system OF Ameri-
ca, Identifies the island so closely with the
political and commercial welfare of
people that Congress cannot be Indifferent
TO the fact that civil war Is fragrant among
the people OF Cuba
OUR INTERESTS AFFECTED
The report then sets forth that II Is i'm
possible longer to overlook the fact that the
destructive character Of the war is doing
serious harm TO the rights and interests
of our people on the island and
TO our lawful commerce. the pro-
lection and freedom of which is
safeguarded by treaty obligations. 1t is
recalled that i'm former wars of the same
character as at present, the United States
has always observed all of it's duties toward
the belligerents. This" the report says,
was a difficult task, but il was performed
with ylgor, impartiality and justice in the
hope that Spain would SO ameliorate the
condition OF the Cuban people as TO give
them peace, contentment and prosperity.
This desirable result has not been accom-
piished. Its failure has not resulted from
any interference on the part of our people
or the government with the people or gov
our treaties, laws of nations and the laws
of Christianity have extended to Cuban
refugees in the United States has caused
distrust on the part of the Spanish govern
ment as TO the fidelity of our government
to its obligations OF neutrality in the fire.
quent instructions OF the people of Cuba
against the Spanish authority. This dis
trust has often become a source of serious
annoyance to our people and has led TO
spirit OF retaliation toward Spanish author
ity in Cuba, thus giving rise to frequent
controversies"
Reference is made to the absence OF
responsible government in Cuba as a cause
OF delay, OF protracted Imprisonment and
property confscations, also TO the fact that
these Cuban insurrections have ever proved
a temptation to filibusters from this coun-
try, causing trouble and expense. 1t Is
asserted that the devastation of Cuba In
the present war that is -peing waged with
fire and sword is a cause of unrest among
the people of the United States, creating
strong ground for protest against its con-
tinuance. This struggle, the report says,
Is rapidly changing the issue to one or
existence on the part of great number or
the native population
The report continues: "It is neither just
to the relations that exist between Cuba
and the United States, nor is 1t in keeping
with the spirit of the age or the rights OF
humanity. that this struggle should be pro,
tracted until one party or the other snoulu
become exhausted in the resources OF men
and money, thereby weakening both untli
they may fall prey to some strong power,
or until the stress of human sympathy or
the resentments engendered by long ana
bloody conflict should draw into the strlIe
the unruy elements of neighboring coun-
tries This civil war, though 1t is great
i'm it's proportions and Is conducted by arm
les that are in complete organization and
directed and controlled by supreme mill
tary authority, has not a safeguard or a
cartel for the treatment OF wounded sol
diers or prisoners of war. In this feature
of the warfare 1t becomes duty or human.
ity that the civilized powers should insist
on the applications of the laws or war,
recognized among civilized nations, TO Dotn
armies AS our own people are drawn into
this struggle on both sides and enter either
army without the consent OF our govern
ment and In violation OF our laws, their
treatment when they may be wounded or
captured although 1t Is not regulated by
| treaty and ceases TO be positive care or
our government, should not be left to the
revengeful retaliations which expose them
| to the fate of pirates or other felons: "
| Attention Is called to the inability OF Spain
to deal with the revoutionists as mis-
| fortune which ii is unfair to visit upon the
| United states ''It Is DUE" the report con-
| cludes. ito the situation of affairs in Cuba
| that Spain should recognize the existence or
| a state of war in the island and should
| voluntarily accord to the armies opposed
| to her authority the rights or beiligerents
| under the laws of nations