The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-03
CUBA'S CLAIM ON CONGRESS.
AN ARGUMENT PRESENTED TO
PRESIDENT M'KINLEY.

The Presentation Made on Behalf of
the Cuban League-PeOpIe of This
Country Represented as in Favor
of Efficient ActiOn-Cuba's Friend
ship and Liberty Declared Worth
More to This Country Than the
Good VIII of Spain.
Washington. Dec. 2.-Berkeley Balch,
secretary of the Cuban League, appeared
to-day before President Mckinley, and
presented the following argument in be-
half OF the Cuban insurgents:
Mr.. President: We appear before you
in the name of those who have died for the
cause Of freedom on the Island of Cuba
and for those who are still ready to give
their lives to-day or tomorrow for this
cause, representing, as We claim, a ma
jority of the people Of the United States
who believe in that cause and demand that
their wishes shall now be translated into
efficient action by their chosen representa-
lives.
Thanks to the power, honor and patri-
otism of the American press, the people to-
day know the essential facts of the Cuban
situation. We submit to you, therefore
these ten propositions, for your consider
alton:
Il. The three wars in Cuba within this.
century are proof of a genuine movement
for the extension of democratic principles
and attainment of liberty from a tyran-
meal, corrupt and alien government
- Without the indirect aid given by
this government to Spain the patriots
would be farther advanced in their strug-
gle.
'34 Spain has lost Cuba as far as the
present population is concerned. IT, how
ever, she is permitted to continue the
cruel work of exterminating non-comba-
tants, she may possibly reconquer and re-
populate the island.
"a. If, without passive aid, she I'M
fortunately succeed in doing this, when
another generation comes the revolution
will surely begin again. The governing
classes in Spain of all parties have regard
ed Cuba for 800 years as an orange to be
squeezed. They are unable to consider
it otherwise, and no amount of diplomatic
efforts on our part is likely to change
their point of view. The other classes are
ignorant. Spain has held all her colo
MES with an iron hand until forced to
let go. The war of liberation in Vene-
zuela lasted fifteen years. during the last
five years of the struggle no quarter was
given by either. side.
IS. Autonomy is a foolish dream. 1t
is evident that neither side understands
clearly offers it to amuse this government
and to gain time.
80 majority of the people of this
country desire to see a free and independ-
ent Cuban republic. An opposing factor
of great force is the money power. 1t is
a fair conclusion to urge that a majority
of our people believe the assistance of our
government till now has been given to
Spain and withheld from the republic on
account of influence that emanates from
great financial interests, usually afraid of
patriotic aggressive movements.
a. Our people have hoped for favora
BILE action for Cuba from the present adj
ministration, and have patiently waited
to give the administration time for the
consideration of the wise road to this end.
That patience is now exhausted.
49, Very few Cubans and fewer people
in this country demand immediate annex
alton, but independence is clearly due TO
Cuban valor and sacrifices.
80. 1T is of supreme Importance for our
future defense, that Cuba should be in the
possession of a friendly power. This Spain
has never been and probably can never be.
40. The friendship of the republic of
Cuba is worth vastly more to us than that
of Spain, for reasons of business and de-
Tense. 1t is our duty and self-interest to
recognize the belligerency, and logically
following this, the Independence of the re-
public and to conclude with a defensive
anu OASl4olVS dll'1liCS' II l4iLS - MT COll-
patible with a continued friendship with
Spain, so much the worse for Spain. If
Spain attacks us, we can take care of our
own.
"Out of the experience of our work and
from the study of our twenty years, this
league asserts that these ten propositions
are true and that their right understand
ing leads to the very action which will
solve the problem.
And now, Mr.. President, in behalf of
those we represent we thank you for this
opportunity to present their views. We
hope for such action on your part as will
bring a correct solution. We desire to
state that this league and our sympathz-
ers have enlisted for the war or until
such time the republic of Cuba shall
become fact in history
The President said he would give the ar
gument careful consideration.