The record-union., 1897-02-28
stagnation of trade, and unlimited suf-

matter, We fail to see that it offers any
forward such vigorous policy regard
ing our citizens in Cuba, as would have
afforded them ample protection for their
lives, and property. Our contemporary
says, Had the obligation to protect
Americans in Cuba been carried out,
as has been the rule with earlier admin
certainly have followed" except per-
haps that such action might have made
Spain more careful about giving offense,
and therefore have avoided war.
Undoubtedly the San Francisco paper
correctly puts the case as it stands in
popular belief, and thus stated it is one
for Americans to ponder over solemnly.
Is it true that for fear of war we have
permitted abuses against our people in
Cuba? Have we sacrificed the lives g
any of our citizens, permitted them to
be subjected to torture, and their prop
erty to be destroyed because of the in
jury to commercial interests insepara-
BILE from war? Is it thinkable that
Spain, aware of this possible timorous-
ness, has availed of it to treat our peo-
pie pretty much as she likes?
1t is paralyzing to entertain the
thought for a moment that an Ameri-
can administration has placed itself in
the attitude that the logic of the argu
ment advanced would indicate. 1t is
bad enough that our people in Cuba are
the authors of bitter complaint of want
of due protection by their government
not four hours distant. But to suppose
for moment that they have been delib-
erately sacrificed to secure peace with
power that oppresses, persecutes, tor
lures and executes them without due
conviction is monstrous.
But here is the fact staring us in the
face that American citizens in Cuba
have filed claims for injury already
amounting to over million and half
of money; that there is open and appar
emily Well founded charges that Ameri-
cans in Cuba have been put to torture,
that other Americans have been long
imprisoned and lie dying in dungeons,
while investigation of their cases do not
proceed; that though the American
Consul-General has demanded, as is his
right, access to Americans imprisoned,
he has been refused this right fire.
quently, until it was too late to exercise
it with satisfaction, and in other cases
only after long and unexplained delays.
1t is simply absurd to say that these
things could not have been avoided.
We venture the suggestion that an
English or German subject would not
remain in prison in Cuba ten hours
without communication with the rep
resentative of his Government, nor
would he be refused bail for his appear
ance in bailable cases; nor would his
life or well-being be trifled with. Nay
waiting to communicate the facts to
the home Government before action by
the English or German authorities in
Cuban waters. 1t is perfectly safe to
say that if an Englishman is hailed into
prison at Havana on a political charge
and denied prompt hearing and full and
fair inquiry into his case, the guns of
a British ship of war would be cleared
for action in Cuban waters
Whether Ruiz was tortured in prison;
whether he died natural death in his
cell, or perished as the result of out
RACES inflicted upon him, are questions
that demand investigation, and which
should have admitted of no delay what
ever. All the American people ask is
that such Of our citizens in Cuba as
fall under Spanish charges and suspi-
cion shall have a speedy, fair and full
a proper trial, with all due opportuni-
ties for defense and to avail of all
rights under the law
1t is not and has not been demanded
that an American shall be exempt from
the law Of place. He must be amana-
bic to the laws of the country into
which he enters. Simply because he is
an American does not entitle him to
freedom from charge and arrest nor
from conviction Of guilt. We arrest,
try, convict and punish aliens in our
mt JEt n - ~,
same right to treat offenders against
the laws of place. What is demanded
is, where there is so much of charge
against Spanish and Cuban authorities
of invasion of the rights of our people
in Cuba, that they shall be examined
into by due process, and full and ample
hearing accorded to them, utterly re-
gardless whether such act, demand,
and its enforcement, precipftates a
war with Spain.
We confess that with every disposi-
ton to judge the Administration gem
erously and fairly, and admitting that
the officials at Washington must know
of facts not within the public knowl-
edge regarding eases of alleged cruelty
to our citizens in Cuba, nevertheless,
where there has been and is so much
smoke and complaint, the conviction is
driving into the mind that our people
have not been afforded adequate pro-
lection by our Government, and have
been subjected to Outrag7eS and indie
cencies which Spain would not dare to
infiict upon the subjects of any con-
Siderable EurOnean nnWer. and that