Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-12-09

numbers and character and resources, and
are none the less inflexible in their re-
solve not to succumb without practically
securing the great objects for which they
took up arms. If Spain has not yet re-
established her authority, neither have the
insurgents yet made good their title to be
regarded as an Independent state. In
deed, as the contest has gone on, the
pretense that civil government exists on
the island, except SO far as Spain is able
to maintain it, has been practically aban-
dOned. Spain does keep on foot such a
government, more or less imperfectly, in
the large towns and their immediate sub
urbs but that exception being made, the
entire country is either given over to
anarchy or is subject to the military occu-
patton Of one or the other. party. It is
reported, indeed on reliable authority,
that, at the demand of the commander-in-
chief of the insurgent army, the putatlve
Cuban government has now given up all
attempt to exercise its functions, leaving
that government confessedly (what there
is the best reason for supposing 1t al
ways to have been in facD a government
merely on paper. Were the Spanish armies
able to meet their antagonists in the open,
or in pitched battle, prompt and decisive
results might be looked for, and the i'm
mense superiority of Spanish forces In
numbers. discipline and equipment could
hardly fail to tell greatly to their advant-
foe that shuns general engagements; that
can choose and does choose it's own ground;
that from the nature of the country is
visible or invisible at pleasure, and that
fights only from ambuscade and when all
the advantages of position and numbers
are on it's side.
No Telling When 1t Will End.
In a country where all that is indispen
sable to life in the way of food, clothing
and shelter is so easily obtainable, espe-
cially by those born and bred on the soil,
it is obvious that there is hardly limit to
the time during which hostilities of this
sort may be prolonged. Meanwhile, as in
all cases OF protracted civil strife, the pas
sons of the combatants grow more and
more inflamed and excuses on both sides
become more frequent and more deplor-
able. They are also participated in by
bands of marauders who now in the name
Of one party and now in the name
Of the other, as may best suit the occa-
sion, harrass the country at will and
plumber it's wretched inhabitants for their
own advantage. Such condition of things
would inevitably entail immense destruc
tion 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 govern
ment it has now apparently abandoned it
and is acting upon the same theory as the
the contest require the wholesale annihila-
ton of property that it may not prove Of
use and advantage to the enemy.
1t is to the same end that, in pursuance
of general orders, Spanish garrisons are
now being withdrawn from plantations and
the rural population required to cCncen-
trate itself in the towns. The sure result
would seem to be that the industrial value
Of the island is fast diminishing, and that
unless there is a speedy and radical change
in existing conditions. it will soon disap-
pear altogether. That value consists very
largely, Of course, in its capacity to pro-
duce sugar, capacity already much re-
duced by the Interruptions to the tillage
which have taken place during the last
two years. 1t is reliably asserted that
should these Interruptions continue during
the current year and practically extend as
is now threatened, to the entire sugar
producing territory Of the island so much
time and SO much money will be required
to restore the land to it's normal pro-
ductiveness that it is extremely doubtful
if capital can be induced to even make the
attempt.
How 1t Affects the United States.
The spectacle of utter ruin Of an adj
joining country, by nature one of the
most fertile and charming On the globe,
would engage the serious attention of gov
eminent and the people of the United
States in any circumstances. In point
OF fact, they have a concern with it which
is by 90 means of a wholly sentimental
or philanthropic character. 1t lies so near
to us as 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 reasona-
bly, estimated that at least from $50 000,-
600 to $50,000,0 600 Of American capital is in
vested in plantations and in railroad, min
ing and other business enterprises on the
island. The volume of trade between the
United States and uCba which in 1889
amounted to about $64 000, 0G0, rose in 1893
to about SOB, 900, 600 and in 1894 (he year
before the present insurrecticn broke OUT
amounted to nearly $96, 600 600. Besides
this large pecuniary stake in the fortunes
of Cuba, the United States finds itself in
extricably involved in the present contest
in ether ways both vexatious and costly.
Many Cubans reside in this country and
indirectly promote the instruction
through the press, by public meetings, by
the purchase and shipment of arms, by
the raising of funds and by other means,
which the Gpirit 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 and interests
have taken out papers naturaliZed citi-
zens OF the United States proceeding re-
! sorted to with a view to possible protec-
ton by this government Ind not unnat-
urally regarded with much indignation by
the country of their origin. The insur-
gents are undoubtedly encouraged and
supported by the widespread sympathy the
people Of this country always and in
stinctively feel for every struggle for bet
ter and freer government and which in
the case of the more adventurous and
restless clemens Of our people leads in
only too many instances, to active par
ticipaticn in the contest. The result is
that this government is constantly called
| upon to protect American citizens, to
claim damages for injuries to persons and
property now estimated at many millions
| Of dollars and to ask explanations and
! apologies for the acts of Spanish officials,
whose zeal for the repression of rebellion
| sometimes blinds them to the immunities
belonging to the unoffending citizens Of a
friendly power.
| 1t follows from the same causes that the
| United States is compelled to actively
| police along its line of sea coast against
unlawful expeditions, the escape of which
the utmost vigilance will not always suffice
! to prevent
| mi ~