The record-union., 1896-12-08


THIS GOVERNMENT MUCH con-
CERNED.
The spectacle of the utter ruin Of an
adjoining country, by nature one of the
most fertile and charming on the whole
globe, would engage the serious at
tention of the Government and the peo-
pie of the United States in any cir
cumstances. In point of fact, they
have a concern with it which is by no
means Of a wholly sentimental or phil
anthropic character. It lies so near to
us as to be hardly separated from our
territory.
Our actual pecuniary interests in it
is second only to that of the people and
Government of Spain. 1t is reasona-
bly, estimated that at least from $780,
100000 to $50.OO0,0OO of American cap
ital are invested in plantations and in
railroad, mining and other business
enterprises on this island. The vol
ume OF trade between the United States
and Cuba, which in 1889 amounted to
about SGD 100000, rose in 1893 to about
SlO30OO,UOO, and in 1894, the year be-
fore the present insurrection broke out,
amounted to nearly $96O00,O00
Beside this large pecuniary stake in
the fortunes Of Cuba. the United States
finds itself inextricably involved in the
present contest in other ways both vex-
atious and costly. Many Cubans re-
side in this country and indirectly pro-
mote 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 the spirit of our institutions and
the tenor of our laws do not permit TO
be made the subject of criminal pros
ecutions. Some of them, thorough Gu
bans at heart and in all their feelings
and interests, have taken out papers as
naturallzed citizens of the United
States, proceeding resorted to with q
view to possible protection by this Gov
ernment, and not unnecessarily re-
glarded 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 ana
instinctively feel for every struggle for
better and freer government, and
which, in the case of the more adver-
turous and restless elements of our
population leans in only too many in
stances to active and personal part,-
clpatlon in the contest. The result is
that this Government is constantly
called upon to protect American citl-
zens, to claim damages for injuries to
person and property, now estimated at
many million of dollars. and to ask ex-
plantations and apologies for the acts of
spanish officials whose zeal for the re
preston of rebellion sometimes blinds
them to the immunities belonging to
the unoffending citizen of a friendly.
power. 1t follows from the same causes
that the United States is compelled TO
actively police long line Of sea coast
against unlawful expeditions. the es-
cape OF which the utmost vigilance will
not always suffice to prevent.
DEMANDS FOR INTERVENTION
These inevitable entanglements Of
the United States with the rebellion in
cuba, the large American property in
tedests affected, and considerations of
phllanthropy and humanity in general.
nave led to a vehement demand in w.
IiouS quarters for some sort of positive
intervention on the part of the United
States
1t was at first proposed that bellieer-
ent rights should be accorded the insur-
eehls-a proposition no longer weighed.
because untlmely and in practical opera
tion clearly perlous and injurious to our
own interests. 1t has since been and is
now sometimes contended that the in
dependence of the insurgents should he
recognized. But imperfect and restricted
as the Spanish Government of the island
may be, no other exists there-,1nless
the will of the military officer in temnor-
airy command Of a particular district can
be dlgnified as species of Government.
IL Is now also suggested that the United
states should buy the island-a sugges-
tlon possibly worthy of consideration
IL there We're any evidence of a desire or
Willingness on the part of Spain to en-
tertain such a proposal
A CHARACTER TO MAINTAIN
III is urged, finally, that all other
methods failing, the existing interne-
cine strife in Cuba should be terminated
by our intervention even at the cost of
SPAN, war which its advocates con-
hdently prophesy could be neither large
In It's proportions nor doubtful in it's
issue
Inc correctness of this forecast need
DC neither affirmed nor denied The
ohlteo states has nevertheless a char
acter to maintain as a nation. which
plainly dictates that right and not might
should be the rule of it's conduct
NOT A NATION OF CONQUEST.
Further, though the United States is
not nation to which peace is a neces-
sity, 1t is in truth the most pacific of
powers, and desires nothing so much as
TO 1--we in amity with all the world. It's
own ample and diversified domains sat
isfy all possible longings for territory.
Precludes all dreams of conquest, and
prevent any casting of covetous eyes up-
on neighboring regions, however attrac-
tive
That our conduct toward Spain and
iier ooihlnlons has constituted no ex-
ceptlon to this national disposition. is
made manifest by the course of our Gov
ernment. not only thus far during the
present insurrection, but during the ten
years that followed the rising at Yara
In 1868. No other great power. it may
saleiy De SAID, under circumstances of
similar perplexity, would have mani
tested the same restraint and the same
patient endurance.
1t may also be said that this persis-
tent attitude of the United States to-
wards Spain in connection with Cuba
unquestlonably evinces no slight respect
and regard for Spain on the part of the
American people. They in truth do not
forget her connection with the discovery