New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-03
SPAIN AND AMERICA,

SPAIN AND AMERICA.
No prophet was needed to foretcll that the
adoption of the Senate resolutions on Cuba
would be followed by fierce ouburst Of anti
American wrath in Spain That that in turn
would intensity American feeling, and urge the
House Of Representatives on to strong speech
and vigorous action also readily foreseen
1t was scarcely more natural for Sunday to fol-
low Saturday. and Monday to follow Sunday,
than for the doings of those days to follow in
like sequence Opinions may vary as to the
propricty of the action taken by Congress. But
at least that action has been taken deliberately
and by an overwhelming ma jority of each house
There is reason to believe too. that it is ap-
proved by the general sentiment of the Amer-
can people What more shall come Of it depends
largely upon the course adopted by the Pres-
dent Strong as the workings Of the resolutions
are. they are not mandatory. They leave the
President entirely free to do as seems best TO
him. They merely express the opinion and de-
sire of the representatives Of the American peo-
ple. whatever weight they may have with the
White House diplomat.
Upon Spain herself. too depend in measure
the future results Of this action. Her first recep
ton of the SenateS message was by no means
promising The bullring at Barcelona was an
appropriate place for the demonstration against
the United States The conduct Of the mob was
as unreasonng and brutal is It's holiday enjoy
ment Of torture in the name Of sport is savage
There Is ample ground for wrath in this coun-
try at the outrage upon the flag and upon the
American Consulate, and for stern demand
for such PREPARATION as it IS in the power Of the
Spanish Government to make Doubtless such
a demand, If properly made, will be promptly
acceded to- 1t is not for a moment TO be sup
posed that the Spanish Government approves
the conduct Of the rioters or will endeayor to
defend it. Indeed it is announced that II mas
already disavowed the outrages. in advance OF
any representations by the United States That
is well. Better still will it be if the Spanish
press will cease its wild clamor against this
country, and the Spanish people realize that
q temperate expression OF American opinion, or
even a declaration Of neutrality between the
belgerent forces in Cuba, is no cause for
breach of friendly relations between the two
countries.
II is quite ti1ie that It is delicate matter for
one nation to intervene. to even the least ex-
tent, between another Power and an insurgent
province This country did not relish any hint
at such intervention in 1861 Yet three Eu
ropcan Powers did recognize the belllgcrcncy
of the Confedera.cs, and Spain was one of them
Nor did they wait until the rebellion had been
In progress a full year, as this country has done
in the case Of Cuba but they extended such
recognition within few weeks. the last Of them
within two months, after the fall Of Fort Sum
ter But we did not go to war with them for it,
nor suspend amicable relations; we did not in
sult their flags nor mob their c0nsulates. After
Great Britain had with precptate haste rccog
nized the belligerency Of the Southern States, Mr.
Seward said: This Government has no dis
position to lift questions of even National pride
cor sensblty up to the level Of diplomatic con-
"troversy, because it earnestly and ardently de-
"sres to maintain peace. harmony and cordial
Friendship with Great Britain. That utter
ance may be commended to those Spanish gentle
men who think the proposed action OF this Gov
eminent offensive to their national PRIDE, ana
who say that II we recognize the belligerency or
the Cubans, Spain will assume toward us the
same attitude we assumed toward the European
Powers which recognized the COnfedcrates In
1861. What our attitude the words we
have quoted show. There can be no possible
objection to Spain's taking them as her rule OF
faith and practice at the present time.
There Is, however, marked difference be-
tween the two cases. which makes the present
or proposcd-attitude Of this Nation toward
the Cuban instruction far more reasonable IMAM
that OF Spain in 1861. From the very Dcslh-
| ming Of our Civil War the insurgents were treat
| cd humanely. There was no butcherng OF pr's-
oners. no shooting Of Southern sympathizers.
| The customs Of civilized warfare were falthiuiiy
| observed Such Is not the case in CUBA FER
| hans II was under Marshal Campos. But largely
for that very reason he las been withdrawh
| from the command in Cuba in disgrace Inc pres
ent commander is notorious for his inhnmani'!'
| and he has sgnazed his accession TO power
by orders that put him outside the pale OF
| civilization There Is every reason to believe
| that those orders will be executed unless some
| foreign Power takes action to prevent 'hc'h'
To say that no foreign Power has any right 10
NEEDLE with the matter. and that 1t Is none OF
orr business what Spain does in Cuba Is an i'll
| cult ~ common -spnSp and 10 common humanity.