Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-03

had sent 125,OOO men to Cuba With this
great army more than forty war vessels
have been cooperating to shut the Cubans
In and subdue them. Far from being sub
dued, they have fought on successfully for
a year, each month and each week press
ing forward. bringing province after prov
ince under their power. until their author
ity has extended over 600 miles-from the
eastern to the western end of the Island
and the Spanish forces are today largely
penned in the cities.
It Is sometimes objected that we ought
not to encourage the Cubans to separate
government, as they would simply enter
upon anarchy and successive revolutions,
as SO often has happened with other Span
ish-American colonies. But, IN fact, Cuba
differs from all the Others except Chile, in
that two-thirds Of it's population are OF
European origin. Chile and Cuba are the
only two spots in Spanish-America where
the Spanish race colonized in the fashion
in which the Anglo-Saxons colonized, by
transplanting their people and building up
their own race. Chile has been for fifty
years conspicuous in South America 1or
ability and energy. Her securities were
good in European markets forty years ago.
The other Spanish-American countries
WERE in fact, populations largely Indian in
blood, ruled by small proportion OF peo-
pie of the European race.
The million white people of Cuba once
organized into an Independent government
will soon settle into stable conditions and
enter upon career OF prosperity. 1t Is our
duty to treat them today with fairness, to
observe neutrality that is real. Ameri-
cans who are descendants of those who
struggled through contest against
tyranny like that today in Cuba should not
be false to the memory Of their fathers
nor to the traditions and spirit of their
history. We are under no obligations to
favor Spain and oppression, as against
Cuba and freedom Remember how Spain
invaded and seized upon Santo Domingo
when the United States was engaged in
ho 0f the rebellion II disclosed
in the debates in the Spanish cortes after
ward that that occupation of Sarto Do
mingo was entered uron expressly to
thwart the influence of the United States
SANTANA. 1t was in this spirit that Spain
SO early recognized the belligerency of
the confederates, a month before blood
was shed in battle. 1t was done in cooper
alton with Louis Napoleon. who also, pur-
suing the same scheme of oppression, took
advantage of our troubles to overthrow
the republic Of Mexico and set UP an enl-
plre there. We have no debt of gratitude
and should be influenced by no sentiments
but those of justice and that enlightened
policy of nations.
Believes the Executive Will Act.
When this vote has been given, as 1. will
be overwhelmingly by this House, con-
curing with the Senate in expressing the
will Of the people of the United States, we
cannot doubt that the executive Will act
and obey the voice of the nation, and that
we will speedily hear that the President
has recognized the belligerency OF the strug-
Cling Cubans The waning cause of Spain
has been apparent from week to week for
two months past. 1t will not be long until
We shall have an end Of all the boInbastic
pretensions and denominations of Wcyler's
savage operations, and the Cubans, having
INDICATED their rights with their arms,
will enjoy the liberty they have earned.