Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-14
SPAIN AND UNCLE SAM.
We Have n Material Interest in the
Prosperity of Cuba.

Alphonso MIL. King of Spain. is in the
tenth year Of his age. The country is
governed by his mother, the queen regent,
Maria Christina. The legislative power
is in a Senate and the cortes. About one
half the Senate is elected. The cOrtes
consists Of 49, deputies, chosen by citi-
zenS of - years of age who pay taxes.
The population of the country is about 49,
100000.
Ministers have been defeated and cen
sured several times during the past year,
but have not resigned. Cuba has been
the chief cause Of political and financial
excitement during the year. Although
represented in the national Legislature
by ten Senators and thirty deputies, it IL
practically without voice n Madrid. The
present insurrection, now more than
year in progress. is supported by two
classes of the people-radicals who want
separation and independence. and auton-
omiSts. or home rulers, who would be
satisfied with the same relation to the
crown that Canada has to that Of Great
Britain. -Four years ago. on ministerial
assurance of home rule measure, the
radical Cuban party became quiescen,.
Broken faith at Madrid revived it. and the
~
ed from those of the home rulers made
desperate 10y disappointment and decep-
ton.
After sturdy fighting. in which the in
surgentS proved themselves fully Il match
for the ab.cSt generals and the flower of
the army Of Spain. they proclaimed the
Cuban Republic in August last, to be COM
posed of iive States. In September the
home rulers sent a petition 10 Madrid
through Marshal Campos. begging self
government on conservative lines, and
assuring the queen that this concession
would dissolve the rebellion. The only
answer WAS the recall of Campos and
substitution Of him with Weyler. whose
policy j. understood 10 be thoroughly
Cromwcll;an. II he cannot subdue he
will eXtirpatc. II Cuba will not submit
To be ruled 10y Spain. it Will be destroyed.
Weylcr. if necessary. will make desert
of the island aud call it Peace.
The position al the Government of the
United States j. one of extreme deicacy.
The money loss Ia American trade alone
in consequence of The rebellion is n grave
injury In 1891 exports of merchandise
from the United States To Cuba reached
Il value of S11. ST. SO. Last year the
value fell IL S9.49S.0J4. American im-
ports from Cnha in 1894 reached the value
Of $16. 4l;;. lSl: last year the total fell 10
SOL 80. ID.
Tho United States. therefore. have a
direct and material interest in the destiny
and prosperity of this island. Far above
this interest * the interest of humanity.
1t i intolcrable to the public sentiment
Of the United States that slaughter and
pillagc. due 10 political oppression, shall
60 on Indefinitely at our very doors. The
struggle Cuba j. making for civil and po-
litieal liberty * identical with the struggle
the founders of the republic of the United
States made against the selishness and
oppression of the crown of Great Britain
Thanks 10 the friendly aid of France, thar
struggle was brought the more speedily
to an end. The struggle in Cuba ought
to be brought to an end by the friendly
aid of the United States.-ChicaSo Times
Herald