The record-union., 1896-12-09

this, that recognition or Delllgerency
would be as bad for the cause Of the in
surgents as 1t would be dangerous to
us as precedent, and committing to a
policy we could not possibly confess
We're the same character of conflict go
ing on in our own country.
But the President and the Secretary
Indicate that there is a way out, and
that matters are rapidly shaping them
selves so that we may be compelled to
act, and in a way that will bring mat
ters to a head.
The United States has paved the way
to that end by submitting to Spain a
proposition that it grant to the people
Of Cuba what may be termed home
rule without the destruction of Span
ish sovereignty.
To that note Spain has as yet made
no response, but the President believes
that it was received with favor. Our
people have in Cuba something like
$50, 900, 900 Of investment. They have
been driven from their possessions by
both parties to the struggle; they have
suffered great damage, and all their
interests are imperilled. Spain, as the
Government in sight, is the only tangi-
bic authority to which we can look to
respond in damages. If now that power
fails to afford our people and their in
terests the protection to which, under
treaty obligations, they are entitled, the
United States may find therein reason
able excuse for direct interference in
the interest Of our own people, not to
the aid of either side to the struggle,
however. What would be the logical
and inevitable result of such interfer-
ence the President leaves to the people
of the United States to conclude.
He does not say, however, that Spain
does not successfully assert her SOW
ereignty in Cuba; she has made man
ifest her inability to suppress the in
surrection, and has permitted the
struggle to degenerate into a strife the
activities of which consist simply in
the destruction, first by one and then
by another Of the means of subsist-
ence, and involving also great sac
rifice Of human life. Much longer con-
tinuance Of such contest. it is stated,
will bring on a condition that will put
upon US proper obligations which we
cannot avoid. When that time arrives,
action must be determined upon the ba-
sis Of the exact state of affairs at the
moment when action is to be taken.
It Is clearly intimated that these con-
ditions may involve considerations of
humanity and Of peace for Cuba, as
well as protection Of American citizens
in Cuba and their property interests,
and the fixing or responsibility for dam
ages done to them.
We infer from this, that while the
United States cannot in honor or safety
do anything to hasten such a state of
affairs, that it is the belief of the Pres
ident and Of the Secretary of State that
such a crisis is very near at hand, and
that when it is fully ripe the United
States will not hesitate to act.
In this whole matter we are to set
aside our sympathies. disabuse ourselves
of sentiment and consider simply and
Solely the duties and obligations of n
great Government, that whatever action
it takes is setting an example by which
it will be bound, If ever similar condi,
tions exist in the future, with the
scene of them changed to other soil.
In this calm view of the subject It is
for the people to say whether the Pres
ident and his Secretary Of State have
not acted with wisdom, and that pru-
dence which craftsmanship should al
ways exhibit.