Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-24

- - CoupIeIeIy projected from lnV8.
sion, and IL war with Spain should
come it would hardly know that one
was going on except from reading the
newspapers. Not so, however, with
people who live along the seacoast.
With our cities as poorly protected as
they are now the people on the sea-
board would be in constant danger
from Spanish cruisers which might run
into one of our numerous harbOrs and
cause great destruction to neighboring
tOwns.-Portland Press.
In other words the West Is judging
the question on it's merits and without
the bias which personal loss and dan
ger very naturally lend to considera-
ton of a matter. This. of course. does
not necessarily go to show that this
personal loss and danger are not en-
titled to consideration. nor that the
in cOnceding less weight to them. Duty
as well as charity begins at home and
1t would be manifestly wrong to con-
cDude that we should subject ourselves
or any considerable number of the peo-
pie Of this country to worse conditions
than an attempt to interfere in Cuban
affairs would remedy. 1t is not clear
to US that recognition of Cuban indie
pendence would so result but there is
arouse formidable opposition to recOg-
milton in not few influential
communities. which no doubt would
favor UNFOLDING what they deemed a
vital principle, at great personal and
property risk. This influence will be
felt and has doubtless already been
appreciated to the utmost by President
Cleveland and Secretary Olney, both
of whom are in close touch with it, by
reason of acquaintance, environments
and property interests. There remains.
however,a very respectable contingent,
if not majority. in the East, that
neither believes the danger to our sea-
ports so great as many imagine nor
the principles at stake of so little i'm
portance. :
Certainly, whatever may otherwise
be though of it, the committee which
reported the Cameron resolution, pre-
scented Herewith sound reasons and
undeniable presidents to support its
action. Moreover. judging from what
we now know, the Intervention Of the
United States, for our government
would allow no other to intervene, is
the only way in which may be termin-
ated the indefinite prOlongatiOn of un-
civilized warfare, which besides being
a disgrace upon civilization is a crime
at our own doors calling for redress,
and from a selfish point of view is a
drain upon our country and our pres
tige as a nation. Does 1t not seem that
some sort of recognition of the facts
is but simple justice to a struggling
people, who virtually control four
fifths of the island, who are able to
maintain better management Of the
territory they occupy than is Spain
over that which she controls. but who
without intervention of some govern
ment must at worst be in course of
long time exhausted-for it does not
seem probable she can be whipped into
submission by force of Spanish arms
or at best exhaust the foe? President
Cleveland evidently thinks so, his
message is open to that construction,
but It is not time for action. he con-
tends. We presume the personally
interested East thinks SO. and until
such time as coast Notifications may
AFFORD them immunity from danger
they don't like to have Congress talk
about it. though this is hardly excuse
for their abuse Of those in that body
who think otherwise.
Meanwhile they are cheerfully pay
ing what it costs to police our coast
in the interests of Spain and to con-
tinue conditions whereby American
millions invested in Cuba and In the
trade with that country are being rem
dered worthless. Millions for defence
hut not one cent for tribute does not
appeal very forcibly to them now. 1t
may later. While 1t is to be hoped
that Providence will dispose OF the
matter favorably to all concerned
1t appears that Providence will have
that opportunity extended-perhaps
It will be found advantageous that II
was done. 1t ia, nevertheless, unjust
az well as unwise to belittle the de-
mands Cuba rightfully has upon the
American people.
Mr.. Hanna has discovered already
that the seats in the Presidents cab
met are made of hard wood.-Publtt
Ledger.-Now only the other day ar
editor remarked that the Maine con
gressmen expected to see considerable