Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-02-28
KcW Lore Must We Fight Tor Spain?

The greG test victory which the Spanish
EayS succeeded in winning over the
Cuban insurgents, was the seizure Of the
relief expedition by United States officials,
a fe q DAYS ago. Thus it happens that
this country the people of which sympa-
thizo with the insurgents, believe i'll the
cause and would be willing to make some
sacrifices to aid them, have been com
pelled by law to do more injury to the
insurgent cause than Spain has been able
to inflict by force CT arms.
So far as appears from that seizure
of the insurgents steamer in New York
harbor there was no attempt to eyede the
spirit of the law Or to give the insurgents
warning. On the contrary the law was
conscieDtiously enforced, though with the
greatest reprgnance. While it is apparent
that the seizure caused regret among all
classes of Americans, nevertheless the
promptncss and effectiveness with which
the officers of the law enforced it Is
source of qualification. This government
which forced England pay we'll for the
assistance she gave to the Southern Con-
federates cannot afford to be recreant in
compliance with the same requirements.
There is general desire, however, for
different attitude upon the part of our
government ii 1t can be assumed with
honor and credit and violate no obliga-
tons. This is the question which now il
uppermost in consideration Of the matter.
There is no way, short of declaration of
war against Spain on behalf of Cuba CT
the announcement that the United States
deems it proper to interfere in the settle
ment uf the war by reason of the interests
we have In maintaining the autonomy Of
Cuba, that We can permit Cubans to
obtain the munitions of war In this
country and ship them from our ports
without hindrance. Granting belligerent
rights would not render us less liable foI
not enforcing the law invoked by Spain
AL VAC NttsC VI tuC 0Cl IluN0, OuV VIC sdIuS
attitude would be maintained towaro
Spain. She could not arm herself from
our ports OF buy vessels here OF course
the insurgents are much more dependent
upon the assistance to be obtained in tn,
United States than is Spain, neverthelts
our government would be free from thu
compulsion, now existing, to help on.
side against the other to the extent that il
now being done. Such recognition would
probably prove somewhat detrimental t,
our commerce with Cuba during the war
our vessels that now pass to and fro with
comparative freedom would then be NOR,
exposed to search and seizure for carry
ing contraband goods Nevertheless. the
moral support thus accorded the Cubans
would not be inconsiderable and would,
in all probability, be the initiatory TO,
other nations to assume a similar attitude
This would lend dignity to the war which
the insurgents are now waging with
hanginan's Moose about their nocks and
would compel the brutal Spaniards to
treat them according to the rules OF
civilized warfare. So far as justice and
right go 1t seems to us that belligcrent
rights should Immediately be granted to
the insurgents. Perhaps it would be
right to go a step farther and interfere in
the struggle, though we hardly think the
country is prepared to do that now. if at
all. But this one sided attitude, aiding
Spain to achieve greater victories through
our courts than she is able to win on the
merits of battle in the field, this CON
tinued exposure of the brave men fighting
for Cuban liberty to such cruelties as only
Spaniard and Turk can devise are as
unnecessary as they are distasteful and
shocking to American sensibilities. The
slight restraint upon our commerce. the
visionary hope Of exacting damages from
Spain for American property losses on the
island should not and we believe do not
weigh In the scale with the moral obliga-
tions