The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-12-08

would engage the serious attention OF the
government and people of the United
states in any circumstances In point
oil iact. they have Il concern with II
Whlcn Il by no means of wholly senti-
mental or phlanthropic character. 1t
Ne, so near to us as TO DE hardly separa-
tcd from our territory. Our actual Pc
cuniary interests In II is second only to
that of the people and government of
spain. 1t is reasonably estimated that
at least from $50, ,000. .000 to $50 OO0, 900 OF
American capital are invested in plan
.atlons and In railroad, mining, and
other business enterprises on the island
The volume of trade between the United
States and Cuba, which in 1889 amounie ed
TO about sG4 100000. rose In 1893 to about
SlO3.0OO00 600 and in 1894, the year before
the present insurrenction broke out,
amounted ITO nearly $4,000, 900. Besides
his large pecuniary stake In the for
tunes of Cuba, the United States finds
Itself inextrlcably involved In the pres
ent contest In other ways both vexatious
and costly.
FILlBUSTER1NG EXPEDITIONS.
Many Cubans reside in this country
and indirectly support the insurrection
through the press, by public meetings,
Dy tne purchase and shipment OF arms,
BY the raising of funds, and by other
institute
lions ana the tenor Of our laws do not
permit to be made the subject OF crimi-
nal 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
"A proceeding reSortcd To with II view
10 possible protection by this govern
ment and not unnaturally regarded with
much Indignation by the country of their
origin. They are undoubtedly encour-
aged and supported by the widespread
sympathy the people of this country al
ways and instinctively feel for every
struggle for better and frcer govern
ment, 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 partlci-
patton in the contest. The result l.
that this government is constantly called
upon 10 protect American citizens 10
claim damages for injuries to persons
and property, now estimated at many
millions of dollars, and To ask expla ma
tiuns and apologies for the acts of Span
sh officials, whose zeal for the repression
OF rebellion sometimes blinds them to
the immun!ties belonging to the unof-
Tending citizens of a friendly power. 1t
follows from the same causes that the
United States is compelled 10 actively
police long line OF seacoast against
unlawful expeditions, the escape of which
the utmost vigilance Will not always
suffice 10 prevent. These inevitable en-
tanglements OF the United States with
the rebellion in Cuba. the large Ameri-
can property interests affected, and con-
si9erations of philanthropy and unani-
nifty in general have led 10 q vehement
demand in various quarters. for some
sort Of positive intervention on the par;
OF the United States.
SEVERAL PROPOSITIONS.
il was at first proposed that bellige-
rent rights should be accorded 10 the
insurgents-a proposition no longer
urged because untimely and In practical
operation clearly perilous and injurious
to our interests. II has since been and
is now sometimes contended that the in
dependence of the insurgents should be
recognized. But imperfect and restrict
ed "a the Spanish government of the Is
land may he. no other exists there un-
less the will Of the military officer in
temporary command OF particular dis
,rict can be d!gndhed as a species of
government.
1t Is now also suggested that the
United States should buy the island-a
suggestion possibly worthy of conside-
ration If there Were any evidence of
desire or Willingness on the part OF Spain
TO entertain such proposal.
1t is urged finally that. all other meth
ods falling, the existing internecine
Stlllo IN CUBA SnOulu he terminated by
our intervention. even at the cost OF a
war between the United States and
Spain-a war which It's advocates conf
IDENTIFY prophecy could be neither large
in its proportions nor doubtful in it's
issue.
WE DO NOT WANT WAR.
The correctness of this forecast need
be neither affirmed nor denied. The
United States has. nevertheless, q char
acter to maintain as nation which
plainly dictates that right and not
might should he the rule of its conduct.
Further. though the United States Is not
a nation to which peace !s necessity.
It Ia in truth the mos: pacific of powers.
and desires nothing so much as to live
IN aml;y with all the world. Its own
ample and diversified domains satisfy ali
possible longinEs for territory. preclude
all dreams OF conquest, and prevent any
cas- ting of covetous eyes upon neighbor-
ing regions, however attractive. That
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