Evening journal., 1896-12-08

nttn, III ldCtl pONtlniiitub ihN4Oiy oh ph- !
per.
We're 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 immense superiority
of the Spanish forces in numbers, disci-
pline and equipment could hardly fail TO
tell greatly to their advantage. But they
are called upon to face foe that shuns
general engagements; that can choose and
does choose its own ground; that, from the
nature of the country, is visible or invisl-
BILE at pleasure, and that fights only from
ambuscade and when all the advantages OF
position and numbers are on its side In
a country where all that is Indispensable
to life in the way OF food, clothing and
shelter is so easily obtainable, especially
Iyy those born and bred on the soil it Is.
obvious that there is hardly "a limit 20 the
/ time during which hostilities of this sort
may be prolonged. Meanwhile, rs in all
/ cases of protracted civil strife, the passions
of the combatants grow more and more in
famed. and excesses on both sides become
more frequent and more deplorable.
Marauding Bands.
They are also participated in by bands
of marauders, who, now in the name or
one party and now in the name OF the
other as may best suit the occasion, marry
the country at will and plumber It's wretch-
ed inhabitants for their own advantage
Such a condition of things would new
tably entail immense destruction OF proper
tv even If il were the policy OF both parties
to nrevent il as far as practicable. But,
while such seemed TO be the original policy
Of the Spanish government, it has now ap-
narently abandoned il and is acting upon
the same theory as the insurgents-name-
ly, that the exigencies of the contest re-
auire the wholesale annihilation of proper
ty that it may not prove of use and ad-
vantage 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now being withdrawn from plantations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 con
centrate itself in the towns. The sure re-
suit would seem to be that the industrial
value of the island is fast diminishing, and
that unless there is speedy and radical
change in existing conditions it will soon
disappear altogether That value consists
very largely, of course, in its capacity to
produce sugar-a capacity already much
reduced by the interruptions to tillage
which have taken place during the last
two years. It is reliably asserted that,
! should these Interruptions continue during
the current year and practically extend, as
Is now threatened to the entire sugar pro
, aucing territory Of the island, so much
tme and so much money will be required
to restore the land to it's normal produc-
tiveness that it is extremely doubtful If
capital can be induced to even make the
attempt
The spectacle of the utter ruin. of an hd-
} joining country, by nature one Of the most
J fertile and charming on the globe, would
engage the serious attention of the govern
hment ard people Of the United States In
any circumstances. In point of fact, they
have a concern with IL which is by no
means of a wholly sentimental or philen-
thropic character. It lies so near to us as
to be hardly separated from our territory.
Our actual pecuniary interest in it is sec
ond only to that Of the people and govern
ment of Spain. 1t is reasonably estimated
that at least from $50, 600, 600 to $50 600,
600 of American capital Is invested IN
plantations and in railroad, mining and
other business enterprises on the island.
The volume of trade between the United
States and Cuba, which in 1889 amounted
to about $s4, ,oOo, 900, rose in 1893 to about
Si03, 600, 600, and in 1894, the year befor,
the present insurrection broke out amount
: ed TO nearly 500, 600, O0O Besides this
, large pecuniary stake in the fortunes o.
: tricably involved in the present contest Il
other ways both vexatious and costly.
AS to Cuban Americans.
Many Cubans reside in this country and
indirectly promote the insurrcctio1
through the press, by public meetings, by
the purchase 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 prosecutions. Some o
| them. though Cubans at heart and in al
| their feelings and interests have taken on1
papers as naturalizcd citizens of the Unitct
States, proceeding resorted to with a viow
TO possible protection by this government
and not unnaturally regarded with mucl
Indignation by the country of their origin
The insurgents are undoubtedly encour
aged and supported by the widespread sym
pathy the people Of this country always
, and instinctively feel for every struggle fal
tettcr and freer government, and which
In the case of the more adventurous ant
8 restless elements of our population lead,
J i'm only too many instances to active and
: personal participation in the contest. Tn,
: result is that this government is constant
" called upon to protect American citi; ems
! to claim damages for injuries to perso~'
: and property, now estimated ut many mil
lions of dollars. and TO ask explanation
and apologies for the acts OF Spanish oil
cials, whose zeal for the repression of re
bellion sometimes blinds them to the i'm
/. ! mUnities lelonging 10 the unoffending cit
izens Of friendly power. 1t follows from
i. the same causes that the United States 4
! compelled to actively police a long line o
= seacosst against unlawful expeditions, tin
: escape of which the utmost vigilance vii
not always suffice to prevent.
These inevitable entanglements of tn
. United states with the iobcllion in Cuba
!, the large American property interest
affected and considerations of philanthropy
and humanity in general have led to We
hement demand in various quarters 70
$ some sort OF positive Intervention on tn
o part of the United States 1t was at frs
T | proposed that Eelligerent rights should b
9 accorded TO the insurgents-a proposition
5 no longer urged because untimely. and i
n practical operation clearly perilous and ia
q furious to our own interests 1t has sine
! been and is now sometimes contended tina
n the independence Of the insurgents shoul