The times., 1897-11-03

has denounced it, and announced its in
tention To treat "a d traitor anyone pro
posing it; and tile representative Cubaus
resident in America solemnly have de
clared that they will have nothing TO do
wiki il, but viii continue to support the
war Of Independence. Who then, dare
question the fact, that the scheme is as
dead As Hector?
Apparently however, the a ADMINISTRATION
is acting as if Senior sagasta's s little
game were honest, feasible, and accept
abl' t. this ration. Not only So but rs if
il devolred upon our Government tile high
duty OF proceeding 10 help Spain actively
in tie task of overcoming the RepHblic.
American sentiment las been exaSperated
and outraged by the action of our au.
ihorities, in deyo,ing ouf naval and revenue
marine service to the assistance OF Spain
IN patroIling buT own coasts against Il
perfectly legitimate and lawful commerce
between american citizens and persons
in Cuba. nat win tie country think of
Mr.. Mckinley, wheH it is understood that
a Gordon of American war vessels is being
drawn around the Cuban coast TO enforce
Spanish blockade agahst our own
people? Yet, according to news gathered
at the State and Navy Departments, tina t
is exactly what is being done.
What right does the Admins tration
claim under international law to chas
American merchant vessels into the waters
Of a foreign country, oil no allegation eX.
cept that they are about to land upon
the shores of "a nation with which we
aFe at peace goods and merchandises
sold ~ our citizens in an entirely legal
way? What right does Mr.. Mckinley claim
to staDIish a blockade Of such shores
against the trade Of his own country?
We may DISMISS the question of right al
not being worth discussion. AS to the
purpose Of these movements, that is arr
other matter. II il is TO give active military
suhjugate the young Republic, and to
crush the struggle for liberty in the
island, 50 that uhe Cubans finally may De
Compelled to bow down their necks 70
the yoke Of this hypocriticaI lying auton
omy-' which now they reject with scorn.
why, that is something comprehensive.
If thc purpose, in 50 helping Spain, rests
upon the hope tia the American blockade
viii cut Of the patriots supplies, and 50
enable Marshal Blanco TO subjugate and
enslave them, we can understand that.
Such a conSun.mation would meet the
views aud saJseryc the interests Of the
spanish-Cuban boudholdcrs and the Sugar
Trust. Under the joint operations Of the
Spanish-A uerican alliance, events might
move rapidly enough to give the A dminis-
tration da excuse TO say 10 the Congress
that IL" pacification OF the island was
progressing so we'll that interference would
De both unnecessary and indecorOus. Delay
Of any kind VIII tend 10 serve tile pur.
poses of both Spanish and A merican inter
esus dstcrmined upon the reconqueSt u
Cuba. TIE construction Of the four war
vessels, now building on Spanish account
in England is being pushed with eNtrelae
vigor. Ey January three Of them should
be available. Now it is reported that
Spain has bought four more from the Brit
ish government.
Surely these Spanish naval preparations
must be regarded with c,anplaccncy by our
authorities. They are SO well calculated
to depress American "jingoismr' With
seven OF eight big " fighting craft added
10 Ter sra force within the next few
months, Srajn naturally viii feel much
more comfortable aad c,cRy. If action 5y
the Congress and the people only can be
STAYED off until then, it is perfectly easy
10 see now Mr. Mckinley win be in an
unassailasle position, ana may tell US, with
fearful emotion, Jha5 we are outclassed on
the high seas. and, therefore, dare not do
anything hostile to Spain, not even to sha
extent % recognizing Cuban beIieerency,
Unue5 such circumstances he would feel
confident Of The support of the best bust
ness interests" and other elements of tae
native peace-at- -5ny-price party.
Autonomy is dead and buried, so FAR
as any cnance OF its acceptance by Cuba
Is concerted, but it is seen to serve its
main purpose, which is delay; and delay is
counted upon both in Madrid and Washing
tor 10 kill Independence and human liberty
in the Antilles, on, holy Delay!