The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-12-05
eco SLOW" IN THE CUBAN BUSINESS.


Whether the report that Mr. Cleveland
has given Spain an ultimation in requir-
ing her 10 subdue the instruction In Cuba
within three months or submit to having
the insurrectionisis recognized as belliger-
ents by this country. be true or not tand
II is probably untrue). yet the fact that
the whole civilized world is considering
the possibility Of such a thing having
been done is conclusive evidence Of the
prodigious results that might depend
upon 1t If 1t were actually done.
1t is hard TO believe that Spain
would declare war upon this coun-
try II we should recognize the bel
lgerency of the Cubans. but those
who are familiar with Spanish character
and with the condition of feeling now
prevailing I'm Spain. are confident that
she will do 1t as surely as that we in
terfere in any way with her contest upon
the island. A gentleman who has re-
Gently been in Cuba, told us that he was
sitting in restaurant recently In Havana
where most of the leading Spanish mill
tary officers dine. He saw group Of
them engaged I'm an eager conversation.
and presently one of them with whom
he was acquainted came over TO him
and asked him what he thought would be
the result If Spain should send a column
OF ten thousand men across TO Tampa,
Fla. and start a march with them for
New York. lie said that was the subject
being discussed in the group OF officers.
and that the ranking one Of them said
the march could be easily made. Our
friend told the Spaniard that If the col
urnn marched peaceably along the public
road and stole no chickens or pigs nobody
would pay any attention TO them. But If
they got to marauding the police would
run them all in" Those WHO know,
say this incident perfectly indicates Span
ISL character and Spanish opinion. The
people are a century behind the times. and
they obstinately refuse to learn any
thing.
or course. II IT is our duty TO interfere
in behalf of the Cubans we must do It
without regard TO consequences. But The
Times is unable TO see that IL is our
duty. We cannot 80 out into the world
as the knights Grant Of old 10 rescue all
the oppressed people of the earth from
the tyranny OF their oppressors. II is
indeed. said by some that we should in
terferc in Cuba. because there are many
Americans there who own a great deal
OF very valuable property. But these
Americans took their chances when they
went TO Cuba and when they acquired
property there. They knew that they
were submitting themselves TO Spanish
rule and Spanish law. and they cannot
now complain II that rule ana that law
is disagreeable TO them. All this coun-
try can do for them is TO demand OF
Spain that she treat them as she treats
all other persons in Cuba. and that she
observes her treaty stipulations In re-
gard TO them.
But. as we said before. n our duty
requires US TO interfere in Cuban affairs
We must 90 II, although The Times is
unable TO perceive any sround upon which
II should be done. But when we are con-
sidering this question surely the conse-
ouences of a war with Spain should have
a very important influence in moulding
our opinion. We do not refer to the
chances that we would be worsted In any
bout with her. We quite agree with our
friend that our municipal police would be
all sufficient to run in any Spanish
column that managed TO set foot upon
American soil; and. upon the sea. Captain
Bob Evans end the Indiana would
probably be sufficient for ending the Span
ish navy. and starting that sci COL for the
Spanish language in certain warm quar-
terr of, which Fighting Bob" spoke so
graphically 10 Secretary Omey.
But there are other consequences to
now from such war that might involve
the most disastrous results for us. The
war would not be short one. although
we sent all the Spanish men OF war TO
the bottom in short order. The Spanish
are an implacable people, and they would
keep up the war upon our commerce with
privatssTs indefinitely. This would keep