Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-29
THE CUBAN QUESTION.


and IT may be regarded as foregohe
conclusion that the Cuban issue VIII DC
quickly pressed TO tho front In that body
There Is general expectation that Presi-
dent Cleveland will. either In his annual
or I'm a special message to Congress, re-
commend some decisive action on the
part OF this government looking to the
brin..irg OF the troubles I'm the unhappy
island 10 an end. But should he fan 20
do this. Il IS hardly TO be questioned that
Congress will take the matter In hand
and force conclusions by the passage OF
a Joint resolution cmbodying the policy OF
this countr. IN respect OF the matter. in
the latter event the President would be
compelled. under the Constitution, 70 APP
prove or veto the resolution, and II is
not going too far 10 say that In view OF
the rapidly with which sympathy for the
struggling Cubans has spread recently IN
this country and the increasing influences
that are being brought TO bear on
their behalf. Congress would pass the
resolution over the veto.
TO what extent Congress Will be pre-
pared 10 go I'm the way Of summarizes.
either upon the recommendation OF the
President or OF its own volition, Is at
present. Of course. a matter Of conjecture.
That may depend upon the developments
Of the next few days or upon such inlor-
nation as may be laid before the body
touching the condition Of affairs in Cuba.
Tho more conservative feeling through
out this country IS IN favor Of our con-
filming ourselves AT present 10 recogni-
ton Of the patriots az belhRerents but
there is also a strong and growing senu-
mcnt in favor Of armed Intervention b.
tho United States IN behalf Of free CUBA.
Either step would be a grave one and
might. Il is held. involve our relations
with other European Powers than Spain.
But the American people have reached a
point in respect Of the question at which
this rick counts for very little. They see
in Weyler the Great Butcher Of America
the counterpart Of Mr. Gladstone's Great
Assassin. Of Europe, Abdul Hamid, Sui
tan. Of Turkey. The wrongs OF the Gu
bans and the horrible atrocities 20 which
they have been and are being daily sub
tected appeal 10 Us as the wrongs on
the Armenans and the revolving crue.ties
practiced on them appeal to Europe. ii
IS patent that Weyler is 10 nearer 10
suppress. ing the rebellion" than he was
the day 10 succeeded Campos. All
h, has done has been to pile cruelty
upon cruelty. increase the devasta-
ton or the island. and further demoralize
the trade Of cuba with this country. Not
only have his military operations failed
10 weaken the cause Of the patriots but
# Is evident that he IS fast losing the
moral support Of the loyal elements on
the island. These are beginning 10 oc-
cupy towards the insurgents the posi-
ton so many Of the old Moscow nobility
have held towards the Russian Nihili7ts.
They feel that the situation is such that
any change would be for the better
Weyler has been given twice the time
he asked for in which 10 smash
the rebels" and the American people
recognize that TO accord him an extern
sion Of time would be only TO prolons
the agony without saving the island 10
/ Spaln. and that the dictates OF humanity
demand that the Offices of this country be
used in bringing about the speedy termi-
nation Of the war. They are deeply IN
earnest as evidenced by the tone OF
our newspapers, irrespective or political
bias. expressions Of public meetings ana
| the rcorganization Of the Cuban League
20 which We called attention few days
ago. And just here it may be said
! that this organization promises TO prove
| Il much more potent factor In Intensity
/ ing the sympathies OF our people with
/ Cuba. and in shaping and Influencing
government action regarding the issue
than it was when originally formed.
! When. in 1863. the long rebellion broke
out in Cuba. this country had Just
PASSED through her great civil war, and
was in no condition TO risk trouble with
/ Spain. growing out Of any action We
might take IN the Cuban question. Fur
thermore. the South took very little STOCK
IN any movement originating IN the
North. as did this one Now, however
the struggling Cubans have no stronger
svmpathlzers than the people o. the
south. As 10 the question that the
United States should do something 10
bring the Cuban troubles 20 an end
and secure the freedom Of the island
from Spanish rule and Spanish harrying
the nation is practically a unit.
Touching the danger Of war with
Spain being precipi,ated by such ac-
ton as this government may take In the
interest Of the patriots, We have little
fear on that score. As We have SAID
before. Spain has learned a good deal OF
late concerning the power Of the United
States. and although she may be ex-
pectcd 20 buster lAucN she VIII
be apt 70 think twice before provoking
hostilitlos. But be that as It may, our
people are tired Of hearing Of Spanish
outrages IN CuDa-tired OF the unre.t
the situation excites in this country sick
of the whole story Of SPANS attempt
TO throttle liberty right at their doors
and demand that the curtain be rung
down on the bloody and brutal drama
and that without further delay.
HOW 10 HELP THE CAUSE.