The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-12
M'KINLEY'S CUBAN POLICY.
THE DAYS or MATING ARE DRAW
NC R.iPIDLI TO 4 CLOSE.
Gen. vo"drord's instructions, white Temper
ate IN Tone. Are Very Decided In the rropo-
~itions IhoS Present. ana DoubtIc>s VII
summand u Prompt itcspnnsc from spain.

ate IN Tone. Are Very Decided In the rropo-
nitions They Present. ANA Doubtless VIII
command n Prompt itcspnnso from spain.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1.-The present week
should furnish ONE public Indications from
praiu OF the nature of Gen. Wuodford's instruC.
lions. While their exact tenor is not known
here. except to those officially Connected with
tac matter, there is good reason to believe that,
while temperate in tone. they are very decided
IN the propositions which they present. and are
such us will require at the hands of Spain
prompt and definite action. The President Is
said to be confident that when his policy is made
public It will fully satisfy the country. This
single expression from him is sufficiently sig
nihcant, in view of his clear understanding that
tAr country Is solidly united In the opinion that
the outrages in Cuba should be brought to u
speedy end.
Unless It had been decided that American in.
tcrcsts and our national honor were so involved
es to call for Immediately aggressive steps, GER
tain delays were necessary in he direction of
obtaining trustworthy information and deciding
upon u policy. Then, unless acts which would
have been equivalent to war we're to he the first
steps. 1t was necessary TO give the Spanish Gov
eminent full concerning the pol cy
which has been decided upon. In no other way
could negotiations which contemplated the con-
tinunnCe OF peaceful relations be inaugurated.
The President has undoubtedly been strongly
actuatcd by the feeling that the country should
not be plunged into war, If it could DO avoided
without the sacrifice of principle or honor; that
the chief efforts of the Administration should
be directed to the fostering of all means OF re-
covery from our long depression; that the paths
OF peace should be the chosen ways, and that
those leading on TO war should DO carefully
avoided until the plainest duty calls that way.
Thus believing, IL was necessary to become
possessed Of all the elements of the situation.
This required time. The selection Of u Min
lister. and giving him opportunity TO inform
himself and sufficiently consider his instruc-
lions, necessitatcd further waiting. These have
been distressing necessities of IA situation over
which humanity has been impatient to the last
Iegree, and willing and anxious to have the
President strike at any national cost.
are rapidly drawing toward a close. owing 10
te known fact that Minister Woodford's
i;nn III ,S,, are to set forth the Pc,
must command immediate attention and
prompt response, either favorable or unfaror-
mand for full indemnity for all American
citizens who have suffered either personal or
OF international law. 1t is understood that the
pentiment OF this country with respect 10 the
been urged. involving, as it has, not only the
armed forces, but the unnrnled population OF
both sexes; are TO be very clearly and firmly set
$500 1850 oNioi tSkSNh' va Xix
decided objections of the United States to the
continuance OF these methods OF warfare.
The grounds upon which the United States as.
fumes a riBhttul interest in the Cuban situation.
aside from the sentiment OF humanity, are to be
There will be u comprehensive showing OF the
vast INJURY to our trade with the island. This
WI. not only lpelude an exhibition Of present
commerce. ior a long term OF years, because Of
the policy OF dssotatinE the island which has
lille these various representations are to be
made with trmness, there viii be- the Utmost
the Spanish ofic lais the friendly attitude of our
Government in it's desire to see thebloody, dew
in the interest Of Spain itself, as we'll as for our
own material interests.
These views are held here among officials who
have given much study to the Cuban situation.
One class believes that II a decided attitude
such as is indicated in this letter is assumed by
Spanish population will compel war. There are
naval officers and gentlemen who have visited
clearest headed press Observers. VINO are firm in
the belief that Spain will quietly yield to the
representations OF our Government and agree to
measures OF equitable settlement.
The third class look for evasive steps under
ihs .Ss.ns z RcS Sin.Im9 hey; But the belief Si. Is that ! h t
form which Will not admit of slow-paced diplo-
macy. but which calls for prompt decisions.
dered the good Offices OF The United States in an
effort to secure settlement Is not known. But
the consideration OF the case on our part has
Ing with Spain /. a delicate matter at best, and
that even the mildest step, II it be one which the
Spanish populace can %construe into interference.
may lead to war. An Administrator which
srdenuy desires peace. in order that there may
Do uninterrupted opportunity for restoring pros
per!ty in all sections, could not but act with de.
liberation: And this incentive TO cautious action
becomes stronger when the questions at issue
begin 10 take on a warlike appearance.
One branch OF the. subject which has received
sfG Uain eoaid secure sa1eet the help 81 'a Of any snse of the To E EaToa
Peah powers to assist her In resisting the United
States, on the ground that the administrator
Its latest promulg,te form. This side OF the
case has caused very little uneusiness. So far
fence OF our hurtors, there is no concern. While
war even with a po"e or weaker than Spain
could nor progress without some damage al in
teryals along our coasts, this injury would be
one OF the minor results Of such a war. The
real" lily serious otsHi features Of the war In the minas
the peaceful march which the nation has begun
toward prosperous times. And SO, while the
case Is TO receive firm and coura geous trent
meni, there will, at the same time. DO full atten.
Ton given TO the fact that the serious nature of
ana prudence, and the exhibition of a friendly
Gesire 10 come to an agreement without a sever
INK OF amichble relations.
Within "a very brief period the country may
expect TO see The Cuban policy of President Nc.
Alnley assume wclEdefned proportions.
80 Tar as informr ten can lie obtained here
touching the feeling OF the law and order men
throughout the, country, over the Low move
Ment. II is one OF mingled disgust and indigna.
tion. IL is looked upon by many as no better,
nader, the circumstances of the national situa,
lion. than joining Debs and his associates. 1t ID
MOI an infrequent thing to hear thoughtful men
chat"clerize 1t as worse than an open alliance
WIN Anarchists, since the latter receive all the
inGirect assistance which the former can give rs
h!irs ana still retain their standing in the com
Huhlty, which enables them TO influence men
mho would otherwise turn away from Debsisn
IN us various forms as they would from treason
ttic combinations.
There u, general recognition here OF tho fact
lhal President Mckinley was elected by the
r"iiylhs OF patriots Of all parties to put dowr
political and fluanriai communism. There are
II nnoI"ans Of high parts standing and long ex
poflrnce who do not hest ate TO express the
1plllun that he could not have been elected by
aeHuolic,In votes a4onc. Tho President himself
h.NrF Ions, upon Oppyrtuni' y, to express his AZ
Ireridipn Of the SOLID patriotism ~ those VIII,
Irrh to defeat lho financial hurcsies OF thu
'hl'hg0 Tlal!OrIn, ahd those plnnEs which
s''4'N ~ - foundation OF social peace and ma
lurnl aj"i].il
A"i now that tho campaign for 1900, agains
.N'''iE "a" same clements. il oponing, and th'
hl't" union OF IO.Ccs ID again necessary for theil
'',il'r"", thg spectacle OF u strong movement
AZ 'iFc"tGr New York, which. II successful
mus MAKE Such union impossible and put II
pc " every interest OF the nation. is well calcu
4l..N "a 81 TItkp tf.. - u.Ii V mar inn Tf Ri.