The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1896-12-16

CndIacteE. IL lleS 81 HetT 70 us rs 10 De
hardly sep .ated from our territory. Our
only to that Of the people and government
of Spain.
It's reasonably estimated that at least
from $50, 0OO. 600 to $4,000, 600 Of Ameri an
capital are invested in palm plantatiL ,s,
and In railroad, mining and other business
enterprises Oh the island. The volume OF
trade between the United States and Cuba
0G0 rose in 1898 to about Sl08, 100000, and
in 1894, the year before the present 1nsur-
rection broke out, amounted to nearly $9a,-
O0O,U0. Besides this large pecuniary str he
| in the fortunes of Cuba, the United States
finds itself inextricably involved in the
present contest In other ways, both vexa-
tious aud costly.
Many Cupans reside in this country, and
indirectly promote the insurrection through
the press by public meetings, by the pur-
chase and shipment Of arms, by the raising
of funds, and by other means, which tho
spirit Of our institutions and the tenor of
our laws do not permit to be made the sub
ject of criminal prosecution. Some of them,
| though Cubans at heart and in all their
! feelings and interests, have taken out pa
pexs as nat rallied citizens of the United
| States, Il proceeding resorted to with a
| view to possible protection by this govern
ment, AID not unnaturally regarded with
much Indignation by the country of their
origin
| The insurgents are undoubtedly enconr-
aged and supported by the widespread
sympathy Of the people of this country al
ways instantly feel for every struggle for
| better and freer government and which In
| the case OF the more adventurous and rest
less elements of our populations leads in
only many instances to active and personal
+ participation in the contest
The result Is that this government Is
constantly called upon to protect Ameri-
can citizens, to claim damages for injuries
to persons and property, now estimated at
many millions of dollars, and to ask eX-
plantations and apologies for the acts Of
sion of rebellion sentiments blinds them to
the imnunities belonging to the unoffend-
ing citizens Of friendly power.
1t follows from the same causes that the
United States is compelled to actively po-
| lice a long line Of seacoast against unlaw-
full expeditions. the escape of which, the
utmost vigilance will not always suffice to
prevent. "hese inevitable entanglements
of the United States with the rebellion in
in Cuba, ;he large American property
and interests affected, and considerations
philanthropy in general, has led to a
vehement demand In various quarters for
some sort ef positive Intervention on the
| part Of the United States.
The Tn led States is not nation to
which peace Is necessity, it is in truth
the most pacific Of powers, and desires
all the world. Its own ample and diversi-
fled domain satisfy all possible longings
for terrific :, preclude all dreams of CON
quest, and prevent any casting of covetouy
eyes upon neighboring regions, however
attractive; that our conduct toward,
Spain and her dominions has constituted
no except N to this national disposition,
is made manifest by the course Of our gov
eminent, not only thus far during the
years that followed the rising at Yara in
1855. No other power, 1t may safely BIZ
said, under circumstances of similar. per-
plexity, would have manifested the same
restraint and the same patient endurance
| 1t may also be said that this persistent
attitude o. the United States towards Spain
in connection with Cuba will inquest u.
ably evince nc, slight respect and re~erd
for Spain on the part of the American PEG.
pie. They in trutl do not forget her con.
nection with the discovery of the western
hemisphel nor do they underestimate the
great qualities of the Spanish people, nor
fail to fully recognize their splendid patri-
otism and their chivalrous devotion to the
national honor.
They view with wonder and admiration
the cheerful RESOLUTION with which vast
bodies Of men are sent across thousands OF
miles OF ocean and an enormous debit ae-
cumulated that the costly possession of the
gem of the Antilles may still bold its place
in the Spanish crown. And yet, neither
the government nor the people Of the
United States have shut their eyes to the
course OF events in Cuba or have failed to
realize the existence Of conceded griev-
ances which have led to the present revolt
from the authority OF Spain-grievar res
cortes, voiced by the mos, patriotic and
enlightened of Spanish statesmen without
regard to party, demonstrated by reforms
proposed by the executive anu approved
by the Legislative branch Of the Spanish
government. 1t Is in tho assumed temper
and disposition of the Spanish government
to remedy these grievances, fortified by in
dications of influential public opinion in
Spain, that this government has hoped to
means of composing the present strife with
honor and advantage to Spain and with
the achievement Of all the reasonable OBJ.
iects of the instruction.
1t would seem that II Spain should offer
to Cuba genuine autonomy, measure of
home rule which while preserving the ~.
ereignty OF Spain would satisfy al rational
requirements OF her Spanish subjects,
there should be no just reaso., why ae
.cifcatioL Of the island might not be Of.
fected on that basis. Such result would
appear to be in the true interest of all con-
cerned 1t would at once stop the COM ct,
which Is now consuming the resources OF
the island and making it worthless for
whichever party may ultimately prevail.
1t would keep intact the possessions OF
Spain without touching her honor, which
will be consulted rather than impugned by
the adequate redress of admitted griev.
ances: 1t would put the prosperity Of the
| island and the fortunes of it's inhabitants
within their own control, without severina
the natural and ancient ties which bind
them to the mother country, and would
yet enable them to test their capacity for
selfgovernr -ent under the most favorable
| conditions.
1t is therefore fervently hoped on all
grounds that earnest efforts for healing
the breach oetween Spain and the insur.
gent Cubans, upon the lines above indi-
Gated, may be at once inaugurated md
pushed to m immediate and successful
issue. The friendly Offices of the Tn Ell
States, either in the manner above out.
lined, or in any other way consistent With
our constitution and laws, will always be
at the dispoGal of either party. Whatever
circumstances may arise, our policy and
our interests would constrain us to object
to the acquisition of the island or an inter.
ference with its control by any othe,
power.
1t should be adde'l that it cannot be
reasonably assumed that the hitherto ex.
pectant attitude of the United States will
be indefinitely maintained. While we are
anxious to accord all due respect to the
sovereignt. of Spain, we cannot view the
| pending conflict in all it's features and
| properly apprehend our inevitable rela-
lions to it and its possible results without
considering that by the course of events
| we may be drawn into such an unusu q /