The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-01-03

tered upon the present revolution.
Surely the government of the United
States should extend to these struggling
patriots something more substantial
than mere sympathy.
| Why should not these people
nave the same privileges that
the Spanish government has? If
they are desirous of purchasing arms
and munitions of war, or war-ships, in
the United States why should they not
be permitted to do so? Spain has that
right, and whatever position may be
taken by European governments, there
is no good reason why the Cuban patri-
OTIS should not have a similar privilege
at least in this republic If belliger-
ent rights were conceded by our gov
ernment to the Cubans there Is every
reason for believing that the war would
the more speedily terminate and that
the liberation of Cuba would be the re-
suit. Is not this consummation de-
voutly to be desired by all patriotic and
liberty-loving Americans? Suppose
there are a few thousands of men in the
United States who would be willing to
espouse the cause of the struggling Gu
bans to the extent of fighting for it. why
| should our government interfere to pre-
vent them from making the attempt to
reach that island? When the American
colonies We're waging a bloody war for
freedom, France came to their assist
| ance with men and means. 1t is urged
| that this country Is at peace with
that country, and therefore no incentive
| to aid the Cubans. That may be true.
| but it is also true that we ought to be
the firm friend. If not the natural ally
are endeavoring to free themselves from
| foreign oppression. A people who
| fought for and achieved their own lib
| erty cannot be expected to stand by in
different when neighboring people are
engaged in a similar struggle.
We believe that the Cubans have, by
their perseverance and courage, entitled
| themselves to be recognized as belliger-
Monroe. 1t is something of a surprise
| to many Americans that congress has
| not before this time taken up the sub
| ject in some form with view, at least,
of placing itself in line with popular
sentiment among the American people.
President Cleveland, In his message to
congress with reference to the Venezue-
Ian question, heartily endorsed one
| phase of the Monroe doctrine. Great
| Britain demands a strip Of territory
| heretofore recognized as belonging to
| Venezuela. The president in his mes
sage warns England that before she can
| be permitted to take the territory
claimed she must establish clear title
| to 1t before an impartial tribunal. The
American people sustain the president
in taking this position.
In Cuba, the Spanish government is
| fighting to subjugate the people and
compel them to remain in condition of
vassalage to Spanish tyranny. The
president has not one word to say in be-
half of people who are fighting for
political and civil liberty. but is ready
to go to war with England in defense Of
people who are resisting the loss of
strip of their national domain. The
Monroe doctrine, which resists the ex-
tension of foreign power on this conti-
nent, is all right, but no less right is
that other phase of the Monroe doc
trine which would extend recognition
and belligerent rights to people strug-
Cling to throw off foreign power. Cuba
has earned such recognition, and the
United States should grant it quickly,
unreservedly and gladly.