Evening journal., 1896-05-11
The Cuban nInssnnrsn

The news from Cuba continues as con-
hlctlng as ever The only difference is
that sometime ago we received dispatches
announcing = victory on one side which
was denied, and shown the next day to
be on the other. But that has been i'm
proved upon, for we now hear that the
patriots have been successful in battle
and the next hour brings It's rsfutal with
the authoritative announcement that the
Spaniards were the victors and that the
rebellion Is on It's last legs Some Of our
largest newspapers have attempts to
expla in news Of this kind, especially
when Il emanated from their own cor
respondents, bat they have only sue
ceeded In making confusion worse con
founded
There is one thing, however. proved
by the news from Cuba. Where there is
so much smoke there must be some fire
and It is evident thSt the open country
OF the island Is under the control Of the
insurgents. The Spanish soldiers keep
to the cities and towns aid protected
garrisons for the most part. When they
want to fight they start out from ihise
places Of safety In overwhelming mum
bsrs and imagine that the insurgents will
allow themselves 10 bs surrounded aud
taken prisoners with the prospect Of
death awaiting them. Generally when
these Spanish armies get to the place
that they have decided on for q signs !
Victory over the insurgents, they do not
find any insurgents there. Very wisely
they have taken themselves TO the hills
and mountains resdy to 'tAil up" the
Spanish army. when It begins TO move by
flank attack Thus the Cubans with
far less men, poorly equipped, are often
the victors.
But whatever may be said about the
unrsliability Of Cuban war news. there Is
no reason to doubt the evidence OF Span
ish massaerss. Rscent dispatches fully
confirm the wanton cruelty, murder and
efforts at determination which are bsing &
carried out By the Spaniards. There
SEEMS no reason to doubt the truthfulnes s
OF these reports of crimes against civlllzs-
tiOn and against humanity, and 1t is high
time that the United States. as the
guardian Of civilization In this hemis
phere, put q stop to this attempt to ex-
terminate the Cuban race.
Our government has prece dent foI
immediate sotion In this regard Twenty
years ago under less appalling circum-
stances. Secretary Of State Fish tele.
grapbed to Madrid that the people OF
this country were "horri6sd aud agitated
by the spectacle, At our very doors. Of
war, not only with ali its ordinary at
tendance Of devastation and cArnsse, but
with accompaniments Of bArbsroui
shooting Of prisoners OF war. or SUNNI ary
execution by military commissions, L
the scandal ard disgrace OF th'
age. Is IL not then time that oui
government should officially protest
against the inhuwan policy Of Spanish
captain general whose baTblrity has leS
him to be called by his own country
men butcher And II this protest /
not needed. is IL not our duty In the csus
of humanity to sead feet Of ironclAd
to Havana to enforce our demaudsl Thi
can be done without any discussion owe
the desire OF the Cubans for belligeren
rights and without any reference to in
transitional Law.
Il is the duty Of q civilized govern
msnt to put down barbarity whereve
found. II tribe OF hostile Indians wsr
perpstrati1g these Atrooitles upon help
less whites we should not stop to AS
their nationality; we would not care
Spain and all Europe backed them al
We would know our duty and do II
Then why should we be restrained
such bauble as the Spanish crowri W