The Topeka state journal., 1897-03-30

logical deterioration which has caused
it to fall back whole centuries on the
ladder of civilization.
1T is not strange that such a people
should proclaim murder as system
and as means of putting down a war
caused by its desires for money and
power. To kill the suspect to kill the
criminal. to kill the defenseless prison
ers, to kill the helpless wounded, to kill
all who are able to impede its desolat-
ing action, all this is comprehensive as
the way that the Spaniards have al
ways understood and carried on war
fare.
But not to pause at the holy and
venerated hearth, personification of all
most peaceful and most noble nor
men, emblem of weakness, nor children,
overwhelming symbol of inOfenSive in
nocense- To bring upon these destruc-
ton, ruin and murder, constant and
cruel. All, sir, how horrible this is The
pen falls from my hand when l think
of it, and doubt at times. human ma
ture, in contemplating with my eyes,
dim with tears, so many hearthS out
ragged, so many women sacrificed, so
many children cruelty and uselessly
destroyed by the Spanish columns.
THE Spanish, unable to exercise acts
of sovereignty over the interior of Gu
ba, have forced the peasants to concen-
trate in villages where it is hoped mis-
cry will force them to serve in the ar
mics of a government which they alb
hOr. Not only are those unhappy ones
forced to abandon the only means by
which they can live, not only are they
forced to die of starvation, but they are
branded as decided supporters of our
arms and against them, their wives
and children is directed fearful and
cruel persecution.
"Ought such facts to be tolerated by
a civilized people2 Can human powers,
forgetting the fundamental principles
of Christian community, permit these
things to go on? Is II possible that
civilized people will consent to these
sacrifices of unarmed and defenseless
men? Can the American people view
with culpable Indifference. the slow but
complete determination of thousands of
innocent Americans? No, you have de-
clared that they cannot; that such acts
of barbarity ought not to be permitted
nor tolerated. We see the brilliant in
itiative you have taken in protesting
strongly against the killing of Euro
peans and Christians in Armenia, and
in China, denouncing them with evil
dence of heartfelt energy.
knowing this, 1, today. frankly and
legally appeal to you, and declare that
1 cannot completely prevent the acts of
vandalism that 1 deplore.
1T does not suffice that I protect the
families OF Cubans who join US and
that my troops, following the example
of civilization, respect and put at i'm
mediate liberty prisoners of war. cure
and restore the enemies wounded, and
prevent reprisals. 1t still appears that
the Spaniards are amenable to no form
of persuasion that is not backed up by
force.
An,SlT, the V1clSSlIuQeS OIL TINS SIruS-
gle have caused much pain to the
heart of an old and unfortunate faith
er, but nothing has made me suffer so
much as the horrors which 1 recite, un-
less it is to see that you remain indif-
ferent to them
Say to the Spaniards that they may
struggle with US, and treat US they
please but that they must respect the
pacific population, that they must not
outrage women nor butcher innocent
children.
You have high and beautiful pre-
cedent for such action. Read the sadly
famous proclamation of the Spanish
General Balmaceda of 1859, proclaiming
practically the reproduction of this
and remember the high minded protest
that the secretary Of state formulated
against it.
THE American people march leg1ti-
mately at the head of the western con-
tinent, and they should not longer toll
crate the cold and systematic aSsassi-
nation of defenseless Americans, lest
history impute to them a participation
in these atrocities.
Initiate the high example that I
have indicated above. Your conduct,
furthermore, will be based solidly on
the Monroe doctrine for this cannot re-
fer only to usurption of American ter
ritories and not to the defense of the
people of America against European
ambitions. 1t cannot mean to protect
American soil and leave its helpless
dwellers exposed to the cruelties of a
sanguinary and despotic European
power 1t must extend to the defense
of the principles which animate modern
civilization and form an integral part
of the culture and life of the American
people.
Grown your honorable history of
craftsmanship with a noble act of
Christian charity. Say to Spain that
murder must stop; that cruelty must
cease, and put the stamp of your auth
ority on what you say. Thousands of
hearts will call down eternal benedic-
tiOnS on your memory, and God the
will in f1a
most meritorious work of your entire
life. i am your humble servant.
IN. GOMEZ"