New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-17
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL
IN DEFENCE OF SPAIN.


HER CONDUCT or THE WAR HAS BEEN HUMANE,
SAYS THIS CORRESPONDENT.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: IT Is rum pred that Congress will take M
again tho Cuban question. with the possibility of
Witnessing tie slaudering and yfyng OF the
Spanish nation and everything Spanish by men who
ought to know better than to provoke an honorable
people who have had feelings of anything but
friendship toward the United States
Tho Cuban question: like any other question. has
two sides. If we he fair and just. we have
to throw aside all preiudces and proceed with
cool head to find the truth Of the state of
affairs in that island. Because the enemies Of
Spain spread news broadcast of Cubans being muir
dered. It does not follow that It is Have we
heard the other side? No? Then II is logical to
suspend cur Judgment. The chivary Of the Span
iards is conceded by a civilized nations. Spain Is
resi- ected by them. Why. then should Spain de-
part from civilized methods i'm dealing with her
subjects either in cuba any other Spanish prov
ince? She had a civil in % and foreign war
in 80 Both wars were conducted with dignity.
There Is no without suffering; innocent peo-
pie unavoidably the victims Of fortuitous hap
renings. This is the in many OF the Skin
mishes in Cuba Are those people murdered be-
cause they have been unfortunately killed? Is
man murdered in the street because safe falls on
his head and brushes II?
Spanish troops have not wilfully committed muir
der in Cuba bat the insurgents have blown up Win
dynamite passenger trains. and this is savage war
fare. The official reports Of the foreign consuls In
Cuba do not contain word about the so-called
slaughter Of pacifcos" by Spanish troops. No
European Government has limited at II. Is II not
bic infer that the reports OF murder
without cause either false or exaggerated? The
Spa ish Cover nmcnt has denied such reports, ana
this ough, 10 set at st the humanity side or the
Cuban question.
The material interests" remain now to ne con-
sdered Spaniards hold by far the larger interests
In Cuba: American interests are important. ana
SO arc English. German and French. The Spanish
planters have had their plantations burned to the
ground and entirely ruined. Foreign interests
have suffered considerably This has been the WORK
OF incendaries. army of hall "A million OF sol
dlers could not have prevented II. spain imposes
who when not bent on destroying tho wealth. or
the island or massacring small columns or troops,
Is hiding In the jungle or in tho mountain fast-
Under these trying circumstances Spain has Inc
moral support OF al, nations having interests III
Cuba except the United states. wnich Natioh W
Judge from the dongs Of last Congress, seems
bent on throwing obstacles in her way.
The american interests In 'uha-there are
others-do not Justify any Interference from me
United States When the time OF setting the pilis
for damag . arrives II Spain should refuse 10 pay
what Is fair then will he the time for kicking. a
premature kicking Is unworthy of grca: nation
Intensity the feeling the other side.
A. TATTANUII.
Correspondent OF tho Madrid Liberal"
New-York Dec. >. 1896