The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-04
What to DO for Cuba.

American sentiment in behalf oi
Cuba is So earnest that Il may be duy
consideration is not given by The mass
of people to the diplomatic difficulties
in way of affirmative official action b.
this government. The United States
of course, cannot afford to act the free
booter. 1t must proceed along regular
lines and so guide and safeguard it,
steps that no chance will occur to Spain
to arraign us on a technicality. This
Is necessary, not so much on SPANS
account as on our own. We may not
care great deal for Spain's good opin-
ion. but we must guard with jealousy
our general reputation among the 9th
er powers. "A good name" says Solo
mon, lis rather to be chosen than great
riches" This is as :rue of nations as
of persons.
EYpcdiency, then. no less than SYM
pathy, requires to be considered. What
would be the effect of the recognition
by our government of Cuban bclliger-
ency? Would it help or hurt the Cuban
cause? Upon this point there is a diff
ference of expert opinion, but the bal
ance seems to swing adversely to such
recognition. AS Theodore s. Woolsey.
professor Of International law at Yale
university and one of the foremost liv-
ing authorities on that subject, says,
1t would add considerably to our in
ternational obligations as neutrals;
N,-n,ll Of tho only
responsible government in sight, from
responsibility for our further property
losses on the island; and by putting
Spain, as well as the insurgents, into
the position of belligerency would be
likely to curtail still more our Cuban
trade through blockade and contra
band operations" He proceeds:
"What is our interest in Cuba? 1t Is
twofold. % We are justified in insisting
that province so near our shores, and
with which we have an extensive CON-
merce, should be under Il responsible gov
ernment, capable of fulfilling toward our
own citizens its International obligations.
(2 We have a right to ask that American
property in that province shall be safe, the
lives of our citizens there resident secure,
and our trade as little interrupted as the
ordinary necessities and vicissitudes of
government will permit. stable and re-
sponsible government. an embarrassed
trade. These are our legitimate wants in
Cuba"
We shall know presently what steps
our government has already taken in
the premises. If 1t has indicated to
Spain a certain time within which it
expects Spain to restore order In Cuba
and render secure American interests
on that island, that period must be per-
mitted to elapse before additional ac-
ton can in fairness be taken. If 1t
has not done this, the doing Of it should
not be longer delayed. In the event of
Spain's failure to subdue the rebel
lion within a reasonable time, 1t would
in our Judgment be proper for this gov
ernment, having in view both the mer-
It's of the controversy and its own near
interests, to declare with frankness
that Spanish sovereignty in Cuba could
not longer be tolerated. If the alter
native of such a declaration should be
war, ii would be war into which we
could enter with clear cOnsciences and
In which we would have the sympathy
and moral support of nine-tenths of
the civilized population Of the earth.