Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1896-04-19
CLEVELAND AND CUBA.
President Is in Sympathy with the
 Insurgents Cause.
But He Will Do Nothing to Force a War with Spain Until National Honor, and Not Jingoism. shall
 Justify 1t.


 belligerency of the Cuban insurgents. During the past two months republican newspapers have assailed President Cleyelond for his alleged indifference to the cause of the patriot soldiers W ho are lighting for liberty from Spanish do- ninlon. In the meantime President Cleveland has maintained q dignified si-< lence, but has kept fully informed con- eerning the Cuban situation.
 The heeoneurfentresolut which orig inally passed the house of representa- tlyes were drawn by Congressman Hit, of Illinois, who is chairman of the com mittee on foreign affairs, and by him were submitted to Secretary of State Olney, who approved the resolutions. President Cleveland was constantly in- formed of the daily procedures in public and private official life. He determined long ago that this government ought to interfere with Spanish atrocities on the island of Cuba; but war is a serious affair, and the chief executive of this great nation could not proceed with un- due haste without provoking interna- tienal complications.
 Early in the month of May the annual rainy season in Cuba will begin. For three months military operations will be impossible and wholly out of the l question. The Cuban insurgents will then have sustained themselves for nearly two years. The Spanish sol dlers will remain in quarters on the island, but unable to snbdue or pursue the patriots, who maintain in their own capital, their own government, and who control all of the island except Havana. Then, the time being opportune, and all international provisions having been complied with, President Cleveland will issue his proclamation and Cuba will be free.
 You must realize what that means. 1t means war between Spain and the United States. 1t means war on tue high seas. Our new navy must give good account of itself. Our Yankee saii- ors are all right, and our battleships and cruisers are of the finest. We ought 1 to have Il larger fleet, but if necessary we can buy few more vessels from other nations. There will be no trouble about the thorough equipment of our government for war;
 The battleship Indiana has just been i'll dry dock, and is now ready for sen duty. Our naval vessels are all pre- pared for any emergency that may arise, and we are within easy sailing distance of the most important stra- tegic points They are all armed and ammnnitioned. Full complements of men are being enlisted. Only few weeks ago a bill was passed by congress authorizing the enlistment of 2,00O nd ditional sailors. A bill is pending to revive the grade of lieutenant general in the army and nobody seems to have realized that there was a purpose back of the proposition. Our ships in the Pacific ocean are coaled and ready for any easus belli which may arrive.
 A member of the committee on for eign relations, this afternoon, said: ''There is nothing in international law to warrant the government of Spain to make war upon this country, even if we should recognize the belligerency and the independence of the Cuban government. The recognition of struggling nation is not officially re. garded as an occasion of war. But, in. asmuch as the president is about to en- ter into negotiations with Spain, look ing to the recognition of Cuban inde- pendence, Spain may treat such negu- tiations in such II amer as to precip:- tate war. presume that she will do so."
 Senator Morgan. of Alabama, is very ill. He is a rugged American states man, and has for the past three months predicted war with Spain: but he is not likely to live to see his prophecy ful- filled. Although confined to his bed and suffering great deal, the venerable statesman has said to his physician: "You cannot imagine how deeply feel my present afliction. Bodily pain ! can endure, but it is mental agony to me to know that great crisis in the affairs of my country is approaching, mud that cannot participate in the delibera- tions of the senate. 1 fought against the union in the late war. Old as am now, would be glad to go into the field for our undivided country and de1f1on- strate my loyalty. There are tens of thousands of old confederates who will z gladly respond to the bugle call, and s know that the time is fast approaching when they will have opportunity to fight for the flag. Some of them are growing very old, but they cannot be kept out of the army. They will fight f for their country, and this time they will fight with the full knowledge of t1l- timate victory
 Cuba is to be free. We are to have< war with Spain. Nothing seems Iikely to avert it. President Cleveland has managed this great international affair9 with decorum. self-abncgation and courage worthy of the man, and worthy of his country. His proclamation will carry to our people renewed knowl edge of the fact that they made no mf1 take in casting their ballots for maj whose abilities and sturdy qualities an very like those which made Andrea Jackson popular idol