The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-12-18

states under any circumstances. In point
OF TACT. they have concern with 1t which
u BY NO means Of wholly sentimental or
.philanthropic character. It lies 20 near to
us as to be hardly separated from our ter
rltory. Our actual pecuniary interest In 1t
is only second to that Of the people and
government Of Spain. It Is reasonably estl-
mated that at least from $30,OOO,OOO to
$oO,OOO,0O0 OF American capital are invested
In plantations. and in railroad, mining and
other business enterprises In the island.
The volume Of trade between the United
States and Cuba, which in 1889 amounted
to about $50. 0O0, 900. rose In 1893 to about
SOB 100000, and In 1894, the year before
the present tnsurrection broke out, amount
ed to nearly $08,O00.O 600. Besides this large
pecuniary stake In the fortunes Of Cuba,
the Uaited States finds itself
lnextricably Involved
in the present contest in other ways both
In this country, and indirectly promote the
insurrection throughout the press, by pub
lie meetings. by the purchase and shipment
OF arms, by the raising Of funds, and by
other means. which the spirit Of our in
stitutl0ns and the tenor Of our laws do not
permit to be made the subject Of criminal
prosecution. Some Of them. though Cubans
ut heart and in oil their feelings and inter-
ests, have taken out papers Of naturalized
citizens OF the United States, proceeding
resorted to with view to possible protec-
tion by this government, and not unnatur-
ally regarded with much indignation by Il 9
country Of their origin. The insurgents are
undoubtedly encouraged and supported ~
the widespread sympathy the people Of this
every struggle for better and freer govern
ment. and which in the case Of the more
adventurous and restless elements Of our
population leads In only too many instances
to active participation 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 ut many mill
lions Of dollars. and to ask explanations
and apologies for the acts Of Spanish Of
dcials whose zeal for the repression of the
rebellion sometimes blinds them to the Inn
munities belonging to the unoffending cit
liens Of 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
escape Of which the utmost vigilance Will,
not always suf1ce to prevent No.
These invariable entanglements Of the
United States with the rebellion In Cuba,
the large American property interests af.
fected. and considerations Of philanthrophy
and humanity In general, have led to u
vehement demand In various quarters, for
0OAAAS WILL VI ROS1Ilv0 intervention on the
part OF the United States. 1t was at first
proposed that belligerent rights should be
accorded to the insurgents proposition
no longer urged because untimely and in
practical operation clearly perilous and in
furious to our own interest. It has since
been and ls now sometimes contendcd that
the independence Of the insurgents should
be recognized. But imperfect and restricted
as the Spanish government Of the island
may be. no other exist there-unless the Will
OF the military officer in temporary conf
mand Of particular district, can be die.
nlfed as species Of government. It Is now
also suggested that the United States should
buy the island-a suggestion possibly worthy
Of consideration II there were any evidence
Of desire or willingness on the part Of
Spain to entertain such proposal 1t Is
urged, finally. that. all other methods fail
ing. the existing internectine strife in Cuba
should be terminated by our Intervention.
even at the cost Of a war between the
Omitted States and Spain-a war which its
advocates confidently prophesy could be
neither large In Its proportions nor doubtful
In its issue. M
The correctness Of this forecast need he
neither affirmed nor denied. The United
States has nevertheless character to main
tain as nation, which plainly dictates
that right and not might should be the
rule Of Its conduct. ;.
Further, though the Cnited States is not
nation to which peace 10 q necessity. IL
is in truth the most pacific Of powers. and
desires nothing 80 much az to live in amity
with all the world. It's own ample and al.
versided domains satisfy all possible long.
ings for territory. preclude all >re.ms Of
conquest, and prevent any casting Of coyet-
ous eyes upon neighboring regions. how
ever attractive. That our conduct towards
spain and her dominions has constituted ! Q
exception to this national disposition II
made manifest by the course Of our govern.
ment, not only thus far during the present
insnrrection, but during the ten years that
followed the rising at Yara In 1858.
No other great power, it may. safely be
said. under circumstances Of slmilear per-
plexity would have manifested the same re-
straint and the same patient endurance.
It may also be said that this persistent
attitude Of the United States towards
Spain In connection with Cuba unquestion.
ably evinces no slight respect and regard
for Spain on the part Of the American PEG.
connection with the discovery Of the West.
ern hemisphere, nor do they nnder esti-
mate the great qualities Of the Spanish peo-
pie, NOR fail to fully recognize their splendid
patriotism and their chivalrous devotion
to the national honor.
They view VITA wonder and admiration
the cheerful resolution with which vast
miles Of ocean and enormous debt accum-
ulhted that the costly possessions Of the
gem Of the Atilles may stlll hold ito placs
In the Spanish crown. And II neither the
government nor the people Of the United
States have shut their eyes to the course
Of events in Cuba or have failed to real.
ize the existence Of conceded grievances
which have led to the present revolt from
the authority Of spain-grievance recos.
nized BY the queen regent and BY the cor
tes. voiced by the most patriotic and en-.
lightened Of Spanish statesmen. without 70.
gard to party and demonstrated BY reforms
proposed BY the executive and approved
by the legislative branch Of the Spanish
government. II. - in the assured temper
and disposition of the Spanish government
to remedy these grievance. fortified BY
indications Of influential public opinion a
Spain, that this government has hoped
to discover the most promising and ssnOcttvs
means means o. composing the present strife. With
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