The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-04-09
WHAT WILL CLEVELAND Dop

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Cuba? He has been asked by congress
to offer to the Spanish government
1.-The friendly offices of the United
States for the recognition of the indie
pendence of Cuba"
Cleveland can not afford to disregard
this express request of the congress of
the United States. A special message
is said to be in course Of preparation.
There are hints that it will be against
the wishes of congress. 1t is to be
hoped that this is not true.
The recognition of Cuba as belliger-
ents has already been done. The reso-
tuition was concurrent and does not
need Clevelands signature to make it
effective But it has no real effect,
other than a moral support to the Cuban
cause by this country. The recognition
of Cuba as abelligerent gives Cuba
status in the world. 1t gives them a
flag. AS Mr.. Hit in his speech advo-
eating its passage said, it can now buy
munitions of war openly and negotiate
loans.
IF they should procure a vessel"
said Mr.. Hit, land come into New
York harbor they would not be treated
as pirates"
However, the Cubans have not pro-
cured a vessel and they will not appear
in New York harbOr. Moreover, they
will not be allowed TO build vessels on
our shores and then stock them up with
munitions of war.
The advantage of the resolution then,
is that we have given Cuba place in
the world, recognized her flag and are
actively, but not unlawfully, in SYM
patty with her.
The demand on Spain for the indie
pendence of Cuba by the president
would be another matter. We would
then assume the guardianship that we
assumed over Venezuela and Spain
would have to offer some explanation
and the promise to do something and TO
fulfill that promise or the United States
would take alively hand.
1t is President Cleveland's duty to
make this request Of Spain. The Amer
lean people want it done. Congress
has spoken from the beginning of the
prolonged discussion of the belligerency
resolutions. the OPPOSITION has been ac-
corded every courtesy which could in
reason be accorded. The friends of
Spain insisted that the outcome of the
latest campaign for the suppression Of
the revolution be awaited. and the re-
quest was granted. Weyler has failed.
They insisted that the provisional gov
eminent of Cuba had no seat except in
the saddle, and the assertion has been
diSproved. They proclaimed. without
qualification, that the CubanS were con-
Quoting a guerilla warfare. and time
has shown that the patriot forces have
observed throughout the rules of hon
orable warfare, while the Spaniards
have practiced the methods IF banditti.
They have declared that the Cuban
forces We're without organiza ton, yet
the latter has proved their superior
generalShip. maintained an offensive
and victorious attitude. kept the Span
iSh army on the defensive. and driven
two captain-generalS into retirement.
The friends Of Spain have been defeat
ed in fair contest and at every point /
in their frantic efforts TO defend Euro /
pean oppression On this continent. and
justify the slaughter Of innocents by a |
who seeks 10 make butchery
take the place Of battle.
War exists in Cuba-war waged on |
the same principles that inspired the /
American COLONIES IN II76. Mr.. Cleve- /
land cannot longer evade the issue. He /
must act in response 10 the viii of the I
people. He must accord beIlicerent !
rights 70 the Cuban insurgents. or ga |
down in history rs man recreant 10 |
his plain duty. Which course viii he
select 10 pursue?