The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-24
OUR NEUTRALITY PATROL.
What We Have Done and Are Doing TO Mako
1t Effective.

WAsHISGroN, Oct. Cit "a said at Madrid
that the answer of Spain to the note presented
by Gen. Woodford will dwcll strongly on tho
number of hlibustering expeditions that have
sct out from tho United States and successfully
landed In Cuba.
This would be n good stroke for the Sagasta
Cabinet in various ways. Tho first diplomatic
forthr OF that Cabinet in relation 10 our
country will be watched with great eagcrness
by the people OF Spain. and perhaps especially
by It's opponents. 10 protest against tie con.
duct of our own Government in any particular
viii LOOK like an aggressive policy, and SO will
disarm those who stand ready TO accuse tho
new Ministry of yielding. 1t may.also serve to
divert attention. for the moment, from tho
really essential question, which i, simply as to
what Spain is willing to do for Cuba. When
we SGT 'orth that the revolt, after two years, Is
still strong and aggressive. she asserts that tins
result is largely due to us, and. so we Ilay seem
bound to answer that accusation betor" press
ing AZ ain our original demands.
But the reJolndcr will be easy. Our Govern
men has from the outset spared no labor or ex-
-Cnse TO dtsClIr,G u the utmost the dates I'M.
posed upon il by ON ncrtfality lows, IT has
had a force OF revenue cutters around Florida
for, the express lo:pos, OF stopping hostile oN-
pcditions. There are to-day four such vessels
In service, with two others giving occasional
help. making 10 many as six in az. In addi-
don there are the revenue. cutters on the re-
main'cr Of the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. which
are 'ulso engaged in chasing unlawful oxpedi.
tons. We hive also had the navy aiding the
revenue cuttl's. At one time or another more
thuu a dozen vessels, mostly cruisers and gum
boats. have been stationed In Florida waters
for this pur pose, and sometimes there have been
three or four so engaged; special dse'is ana
detectives have been employed by the Treasury
| Department, and altogether it is certain that
our expenses mount into the millions.
There Is no Que~tion. then, as TO tie earnest.
ness and .vigor with which our Government has
acted and continues to act. How, then. is l. as
10 its SUGGEST We cannot say how many I'M
lawful expeditions have been stopped ly this
energy, but OF such as may have got away only
one has ever been stopped by the Gordon of
spanish ships around Cuba. She has scores of
vesscls in her patrol, and n single island to
guard. while we, have an cnornious coast line,
thousands of miles long, with u comparatively
short run from a good part Of 1t TO the Cuban
coast. And YET, II IN the number OF expeditions
ONE sucCccd in getting away, spain complains
OF our iaxity, although, with every port IN Cuba
in her possession. AID q whole fleet patrolling
it, she herself succeeds in stopping only one of
these expeditions from landing.
But there Is another end most important
point. The real reason why many so-callci
| expeditions ARE successful Is that many % them
iry laws. That il. they take out arms and nu-
! n!tion+, which are Lawful! exports, md, in some
Gases, when beyond our waters. transfer their
cargocs or take or the passengers who may
arm themselves and thereafter make the eXpe.
dition. unlawful. The Bahamas and Antilles
furnish plenty Of rs.dez Nous 10. sb bS a. P55G ij ins
ton between lawful and unluwfnl voyages
provIded.thc result is aiding the Cuban cause,
hat the S'an!sa diplomats mu7I be we'll aware
Of the broad distinction.
Ii may he said without reservation that our
Government has uniformly cNcrteG Itself :.
perform its international obligations toward
formed these obligations. There can be ne
moro than a temporary diversion from the rea
question at Issue. which Is simply what Spair
propo, Is 10 do III order TO bring about peace IL
the island.