The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1896-03-04
THE UNITED STATES AND SPAIN.

lations-which appears independently
and yet concurrently in Madrid, in
Havana and in Washington. Var
! ious elements and tendencies on the
three sides of the triangle have just
reached their climax, aud have pre-.
cipitated action of the deepest import
to the destiny of Cuba.
The Senate of the United States by
an overwhelming vote has taken a
step Of the highest significance. With
extraordinary unanimity it has passed
resolutions not merely declaring for
the beligerent rights Of iusurgent Cuba
but contemplating the recognition
and establishment of her independ.
ence This is unquestionably mo.
mentous act It's profound impor.
tance is not to be underrated. 1t is
the chivalrous and worthy assump.
tion of high responsibility on the
part of the United States and it sub.
stantially determines the independ-
ence of Cuba. True, 10 a technical
sense it is only the expression of an
opinion of Congress. 1t is not oper'
ative in itself, and in form it is only
a request to the President. But when
such declaration comes from Con.
gress with so much solemnity and
unanimity it is virtually a command.
The President will exercise his own
discretion as to the method and mo.
ment of executing the high will and
purpose of the Republic expressed
through its representatives, but he
will accept aud enforce it with all il
involves. That means much. 1t COM
mits this country possibly to grave
consequences. But it is the great act
of a great Republic with high duties
to humanity, liberty and civilization.
The American people have all
along been in sympathy with the
Cuban patriots. For time the sen.
tment was lethargic. But when the
appeal to humanity was added to the
instinct of liberty it famed forth with
frey ardor. The crisis came in Cuba
) Spain was impoteDt to crush the re
bellion. She failed in the struggle of
arms Butchery was then to be sub
} stituted for war Campos was re.
called. Weyler, of blOdy memory,
3 was sent with the sword aud torch OF
J devastation. A policy ofinfamy and
atrocity followed his advent. A new
Armenia loomed up at our very door.
: Should the United States look on pas.
, sively and stolidly at this horrid cru
sade, or, true to our noble traditions,
. should we call halt and fulfill the
mission of civilization In stopping the
return of barbarism within our very
sight? There was but one answer
and the American Congress has Civ.
en- it.
The action of the Senate caused
great indignation in Spain and cul.
} minated in violent scenes in Madrid
} on Sunday, and an attack on the
United States consulate. The trou.
BILE did not arise out of the sponta.
,, neous formation of the mob, which
!. did the violence, but was the outcome
of public meeting, which had been
4, influenced by fervid speeches They
were addressed by orators provided
for the occasion and the purpose OF
t the meeting explained as one OF
3 protest against the recognition of the
. Cuban government as a belligerent
t power by the United States Senate.
The spirit of the mob took fire and
? they set off for the United States con.
sulate. The authorities of the city
/ had by this time taken alarm and a
force of police was sent to the consu.
! late. The excited mob was not in.
timidated by this show of force from
gathering before the consulate and
shouting, "Long live Spain," and
"Down with the Yankees" These
verbal missiles did not long satisfy
the aroused passions of the mob, and
. in a short time stones began flying
9 from the crowd, which broke a mum.
g Der of windows in the United States
= consulate. The force of police waited
y for no further manifestation, but
t charged the crowd under the order;
Q of their officers and roughly dispersed
them, wounding several. So far al
learned there were no fatal results
But with all their demonstration O
patriotism, and hatred for the United
States, they did not miss chance tt
= enjoy their national sport, % and th,
whole mob went to a bull fight tn,
same day.
L 4