Bridgeton pioneer., 1896-12-10

| pe 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, isHsible or invisi-
BILE at pleasure, and that fights only from
ambuscade and when all the advantages OF
| position and numbers are on its side. In
| country where all that is indispensable
| to life in the way of food, clothing and
shelter is so easily obtainable especially
by those born and bred on the soil it is
obvious that there is hardly limit to the
time during which hostilities of this sort
may be prolonged. Meanwhile, as 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 OF
one party and now in the name of the
other as may best suit the occasion, harry
the country at will and plunder it's wretch.
ed inhabitants for their own advantage.
Such a condition of things would inevi-
tably entail immense destruction of proper
ty even if it were the r.olicy of both parties
to prevent it as far as practicable. But,
while such seemed to be the original policy
of the Spanish government, it has now ap
parently abandoned it and is acting upon
the same theory as the einsurgents-name
ly, that the exigencies of the contest re-
quire the wholesale humiliation 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now being withdrawn from plantations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 a speedy and radical
change in existing conditions it will soon
disappear altogether. That value consists
very largely of course, in it's capacity to
produce sugar-a capacity already much
reduced by the Interruptions to tillage
which have taken place during the last
two years. 1t is reliably asserted that,
should these Interruptions continue during
the current year and practically extend, as
Is now threatened, to the entire sugar pro-
ducing territory of the island, so much
time 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 ad-
joining country, by nature one of the most
fertile and charming on the globe, would
engage the serious attention of the govern
ment and people of the United States in
any circumstances. In point of fact, they
have a concern with it which is by no
means of q wholly sentimental or philan-
thropic character 1t 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, 900, 900 to $50, 900,
900 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 S64, 900, 900, rose in 1898 to about
$103, 900, 900, and in 1894, the year before
the present insurrection broke out, amount
ed to nearly $96,000,000. Besides this
large pecuniary stake in the fortunes of
Cuba the United States finds itself mex
| tricably involved in the present contest in
| other ways both vexatious and costly.
As to Cuban Americans.
Many Cubans reside in this country and
indirectly promote the insurrection
| 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 OF
them, though Cubans at heart and in all
| their feelings and interests, have taken out
| papers as naturalized citizens of the United
| States, proceeding resorted to with a view
| to possible protection by this government
| and not unnaturally regarded with much
| 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 for
better and freer government, and which,
| in the case of the more adventurous and
! restless elements of our population leads
in only too many instances to active and
personal participation in the contest. The
result is that this government is constant
| ly called upon to protect American citizens,
to claim damages for injuries to persons
and property, now estimated at many mil
lions of dollars, and to ask explanations
and apologies for the acts of Spanish off
cials, whose zeal for the repression of re-
bellion sometimes blinds them to the i'm
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
seacoast against unlawful expeditions, the
escape of which the utmost vigilance will
not always suffice to prevent.
These inevitable entanglements of the
! United States with the rebellion in Cuba,
the large American property interests
affected and considerations of philanthropy
and humanity in general have led to We
hement demand in various quarters fo-
some sort of positive Intervention on the
part of the United States. 1t was at first
proposed that belligerent rights should be
accorded to the insurgents-a proposition
no longer urged, because untimely, and in
practical operation clearly perilous and In