The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-12-10
THE CUBAN INBEOGLio'

We arc utterly at n loss 10 understand
the principle. upon which Senator MliiS
Cuban resolution is founded. What JUS
ti3cation could the United states nave
for taking armed possession oil 'upa'
Cuba is. and has been for several cen
turtles. as much an integral part Oh the
Kingdom of Spain as the city Of Madrid
is.
wa are at peace with Spain and owe
her every obligation. which we can owe
10 airy friendly power whatever. one OIL
tho highest obligations. which we owe
or can owe 10 any friendly power is tho
duty 20 respect its flag and possessions
whoever either may be and to preserve
careful neutrality in case that other
Tower hes any difference with any party
whether IL be another independent Power
or a part Of its own citi7enry.
II We have a right to sail over TO
c,,ha and Occupy the island with ermod
men we have just as much right to march
.rto Spain and take possession Of the
city Of Medrid Yet We plainly have no
right to do that while we are at peace
with Spain. The only conditions under
which we could possibly have a right TO
do that would be a state Of war between
the two countries. and our right TO DO
II would be the right TO conquer your
enemy as a means of defending your
self. Mr.. Cleveland message. so far as
II related 60 Cuba. was most cons erVa-
hr n
tanned a suggestion, which we cannot
assent TO- II intimates that time may
come when the patience of the United
States viii be exhausted and this coun-
try may feel itself called upon TO inter-
fcrc and restore order in Cuba.
Upon what principle can this be done?
He states distinctly that the insurgents
have abandoned all semblance Of fixed
and stable government so that he cannot
recognize them as belligerents. a rccog-
milton to be followed subsequently by
recognition Of their independence. lie
has RELOCATED them Internationally TO
the status Of an instruction and re-
belion. and we are utterly at a loss to
know upon what principle a neutral pow
or can go TO the assistance of band OF
rebels. distinctly conceded to be no more
than rebels, in their instruction against
the authority Of their government.
Interference by us in such a case
must be after we have declared that we
will no longer be bound by the old and
established principles Of international
law, and, when we once take that posi-
ton. we shall unite the whole civilized
world against us and open the door to
food of evils that we would gladly see
this country spared.
There els great danger that we are
going to allow our sympathies for a peo-
pie who. no doubt are outrageously OPP
pressed. to lead us into a false step that
is a total departure from the old and set
tied principles that the world has long
found necessary TO peace and amity
amongst the nations
1t is far better that the Cubans shall
be oppressed than that we shall make
a misstep Of this kind. 1t is no part of
the plan of our government that we are
to go out into the earth relieving the
oppressed. wherever we find them. We
have social disorderers Of our own. calling
impcratively at this time for our utmost
attention. and we can much more profit
ably occupy our attention with them than
with the troubles Of other people Let
us give our whole attention to them for
a time at least.