Evening journal., 1897-03-30
linrder rs a Wnr afeasure.


It is natural that q people should |
proceed THUS, VINO by dinl OF supersu-
ucus anu lana.ical education and
through the vicissiIudes OF its social
ana political Ike, have fallen into a
sort OF physiological de .eriorauon
which has caused IL TO fall back whole
centuries on the ladder OF civilization.
II is not Strange that such people
should proclaim murder as o system
and as o means Of putting down a w3i
caused by It's desires for money and
power. 10 kill the suspect. to XIII the
criminal. to kill the defenseless prison
or, TO kin the helpless wounded, TO kin
al who are able 10 impede it's deso-
latng 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, personihcation of all
most peaceful and most noble, nor at
women. emblem of weakness; nor at
children. overwhelming symbol Of In.
offensive innocence, to bring upon these
destruction, ruin and murder. constant
and cruel. All, sir. how horrible this Isl
The pen falls from my hand when !
think Of 1t, and doubt at times hui
man nature In contemplating with my
eyes dim with tears, so many hearths
outraged, 50 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
Cuba, have forced the peasants to con-
centrate in villages, where II is hoped
misery viii force them to serve in the
armies of a government which they alb
hor Not only are these unhappy ones
forced to abandon the only means by
which they can live; not only are they
forced 10 die OF starvation. but they are
branded as decided supporters of our
arms. and against them, their wives
and children is directed a fearful and
cruel persecution.
Ought Not to BE Tolerated.
fought such facts to be tolerated by
a civilized people? Can human powers,
forgetting The fundamental principles
of Christian community, permit these
things to 60 on? Is it possible that civ
ilized people will consent to the sacr-
flee Of unarmed and defenseless men?
Can the American people view with
culpable indifference the slow but COM
piete determination of thousands Of in
nocent 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 ini-
tiative 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 I today frankly and
legally appeal to you and declare that l
cannot completely prevent the acts OF
vandalism that 1 deplore
3" 1t does not suffice that I protect the
families Of Cubans who join us and that
my troops, following the example of civ
ilization, respect and put at Immediate
liberty prisoners of war, cure and care
for the enemies wounds and prevent
reprisals. 1t still appears that the Span
iards are amonable TO no form Of per-
suasion that is not backed up By force.
All, sir. the vicissitudes of this crue
/ struggle have caused much pain to tn,
/ heart Of an old and unfortunate father
but nothing has made me suffer 81
! much as the horrors which I recite un-
/ less it IS to see that you remain indif-
/ ferent 10 them.
Say to the Spaniards that they may
| struggle with us and treat us as they
| please, but that they must respect the
| pacific popu,aton-that they must moi
outrage women nor butcher innocent
children.
You have a high and beautiful prec.
edent for such action. Read the sadly
/ famous proclamation Of the Spanish
General Baimaceda of 1859, proclaiminl
/ practically the reproduction of this war
| and remember the honorable and higl
minded protest that the secretary ol
state formulated against It.
The American people march legiti
mately al the head OF the western con
tinent. and they should not longer toll
crate the cold and Systematic assassi
nation Of defonseless Americans les
history impute TO them a participation
In these atrocities.
Asked to Initiate High Example.
Initiate the high example that
have indicated above. Your conduct
furthermore. VIII be based solldly OF
the Monroe doctrine. for this cannot re
fer only TO usurpation of American ter
ritories and not to the defense of tn
people Of America against ambitions.
cannot mean TO protect American sol
and leave its helpless dweliers expose,
to the cruelties of a sanguinary an,
despotlc European power. 1t must ex
tend to the defense of the principle
which animate modern civilization an,
form an integral part of the culture an'
life Of the American people.
Grown your honorable history o
craftsmanship with a noble act O
Christian charity. Say to Spain tina
murder must stop, that cruelty mus
stop, and put the stamp Of your author
ity on what you say. Thousands o
hearts Will call down eternal benedic
tions on your memory, and God the su
premely merciful, viii see In it the mos
meritorious work Of your entire life.
d" I am your humble servant,
M GOMEZ