The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-01
CUBA,s RIGHT TO FREEDOM.

II begins TO look as IL the United States
will be committed TO a very definite atti-
tude In relation to the Cuban patriots
Where every act OF the Cubans appeals to
our hearts as repetition of the experience
OF this country In its struggle for liberty.
IL Is difficult 20 confine speech to stereo-
typed expressions of good win and 20 re-
strict sympathy within the formal lines
OF international law. Dealing with for
eign nations we may limit ourselves TO
such appeals as. for instance. have been
made 10 the sultan on behalf of the Ar
menians or to sending private aid as We
have done TO Ireland
But when the struggle for liberty Is go
ing on upon what must be considered a
part OF the world consecrated by the blood
OF our fathers TO freedom from monarch
teal rule, the heart of this people beats with
throbbing intensity which VIII not be
bound by the forms and the ceremonies
made by monarchies. Cuba is the last
stand made by force once paramount on
this continent. a power whose splendor and
prowess dazzled ard coerced all Europe.
but whose conquests were accompanied by
she most wanton cruelty and disregard OF
the rights Of governments and races in
Southern America as ancient as their
own.
Spain has no claims upon the cons;iera-
ton OF any iiberty-loving people. Cuba
no more than Peru or Chile or Brazil or
California belonged 10 her at any time by
any right except the cruel force of arms.
1t was taken for purposes of robbery and
not for the purpose OF civilizing the peo-
pies OF these lands. Compared with Spain,
England is a beneflcent power. Her foot
hold in North America, Australia, New
Zealand and South Africa was taken orig
inally for the purpose Of populating vast
territories given up TO waste and peopled
only by handful of barbarians. The
extension of English colonies has conferred
great blessings on her own people and upon
the world. 1t is in India that her motive
| and policy resemble those of Spain in South
America Her object and procedure were
to take possession of wealth acquired by
races whose civilization. imperfect as Il
may have been. was older than that OF
Europa I,ooong OF property and conas-
cation Of lands followed the!r armies OF
conquest, and nations boasting OF a code
OF morals as complete In their way as those
of the Angio-Saxon and Latin races. were
cowed into submission
The history Of Spanish occupation Of
! American lands is one long sickening rec
ord OF spoiation by direct robbery of the
people and by indirect robbery through
extortionate taxation No country sub
jeot to Spain's authority has progressed;
| they all took their first steps toward a
| higher plane when they succeeded in
| throwing or the foreign yoke. They have
| not made the advance which has marked
| the freedom OF Anglo-Saxon people, but
| they are on the right road. and with such
| a policy on the part OF this country as
| James O. Blaine outlined for our guidance
/ In dealing with those republics they would
soon become frnbued with higher axplra-
ions and attain that position their rich
resources and intelligence can give them.
/ Cuba may not be IN the best condition
/ for sslf-government. Yet 81 IS difficult TO
tEnaers tand why a free people should be IN
/ a worse condition than under the DONNA
ton OF foreign power such as Spain.
! The people have been stung into rebellion.
/ as thu colonies were ny harsh treatment
and oppressive laws which seek TO wiring
| from them the fruits OF their labor and tho
/ profits q their capstal. The original states
/ were not N good condition 20 STAND alone.
! vet ehey were equal 20 the occasion when
! t11s responsibility was prt upon them
! SELF government is q problem for the PEG
] pie themselves 20 solve- Our Eympathies
must 70 out IN spite OF ourselves TO patr+-
ots who are sacrificing 80 much IN their
| determination 20 - free