The San Francisco call., 1896-04-04

Havana had more cause to be uneasy than
President Cisneros in his capital at Cubi-
tas
This is far greater war than the ten
years war of 1868 to 1878, with which it is
SO often com pared. That was confined to
the eastern end of the island. The revo-
lutlonists never established their power
far from the province of Santiago. The
armies of Gomez and Maceo, working in
perfect harmony, have fought their way
steadily through province after province
until they have come into Pinar del Rio at
the western end of the island. The politi-
cal ana military organization has been
harmonious, effective and victorious from
the first. 1t is exactly what President
Monroe called a movement of such a
steady and consistent form as to make
success probable. And now, as in the
time of Monroe, they should have ex-
tended to them the rights to which they.
are entitled by the law of nations as equal
parties to civil war"
Hit denied that the Cubans had full
representation with the Parliament of
Spain The great majority of the Cuban
deputations to the Spanish Cortes con-
sisted of Spaniards from Cuba. not Cubans.
Hit said in conclusion:
"It is sometimes objected that we ought
not to encourage the Cubans to separate
government as they would simply enter
upon anarchy and successive revolutions,
as so often has happened with Spanish
American colonies. But in fact Cuba
differs from all the others except Chile in
that two-thirds of Its population are of
European origin. Chile and Cuba are the
only two spots in Spanish America where
the Spanish race colopized in the fashion
in which the Anglo-Saxon co1onized-by
transplanting their people and building
up their own race. The million white
people of Cuba, once organized into an
independent government, will soon settle
into suitable conditions and enter upon a
career of prosperity. 1t is our duty to
treat them to-day with fairness-to
observe a neutrality that is real. Americans
are descendants of those who struggled
through a contest against tyranny
like that to-day in Cuba should not be false
to the memory of their fathers or to the
traditions and spirit of their history. We
are under no obligations to favor Spain and
oppression as against Cuba and freedom.
Remember how Spain invaded and seized
upon Santo Domingo when the United
States was engaged in the War of the
Rebellion. 1t was disclosed in the debates
in the Spanish Cortes afterward that the
occupation OF Santo Domingo was entered
upon expressly to thwart the influence of
the United States and prevent our OBJ
tanning station at Samana. 1t was in
this spirit that Spain so early recognized
the belligerency of the Confederates,
month before blood was shed in battle. 1t
was done in cooperation with Louis
Napoleon, who, also pursuing the same
scheme of oppression, took advantage of
our troub bles to overthrow the republic of
Mexico and set up an empire there. We
have no debt of gratitude, and should be
influenced by no sentiments but those of
justice and that enlightened self-interest
which is the true guide in the policy of
nations.
"When this vote has been given, as it
will be overwhelmingly by the House,
concurring with the Senate in expressing
the will of the people of the United States,
we cannot doubt that the executive will
act and obey the voice of the Nation and
that we will speedily hear that the Presi-
ueub las TecOSulZto tlC OSlilStTeuCy OF
the struggling Cubans. The waning cause
of Spain has been apparent from week to
week for two months past"
Hit was interrupted by Patterson (D.)
of Tennessee, who asked what proporti on
of the 100000 population in Cuba had
engaged in the movement to secure the
independence OF the island.
Hit stated that comm unication to the
House from tie Secretary of State showed
the number of troops in the field last
August was 10000, one-third of which
were well armed. Since coming into the
House to-day Hit said he had been
handed a statement by Mr.. Rappleye, the
correspondent of the New York Mail and
Express, who had just returned from
Cuba, which showed that the Cuban army
now mum bered over &C, 900 men.
Patterson then inquired what number
of Cubans had enlisted in the Spanish
army, which Hit said he could not an
swer with definiteness.
Patterson said the thought he had was
that if the people of Cuba, with substan-
tial unanimity, desired their autonomy
and Independence, they ought to have it,
and that Spain should not be permitted to
hold the territory of such people by sub
iugation. Applause
Hit spoke q few minutes more than an
hour, and at the close of his remarks was
warmly applauded.