The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-02-02

fucrto Brinc1pes only u uttS HatNh
distant, and another at the port OF
Nuevitas. why do they not send an
army up to the hills. seize Cubltas, aud
proclaim to the world that the rebel
capital is in their handsS Seeing that
they have four or Ave times as many
soldiers as the Cuhans, II seems not 70
their martial credit thar they should
devote more attention to defending
their own capital than TO attacking that
OF the enemy. Are we to understand
that the Spanish troops at Puerto Prin-
cipe dare not make war only on women
as they are now doings \ rare plan
II would be. indeed, to create a diver
sion for the relief OF Havana, and 70
seek to draw Gomez back to the east,
by renewing the atrocities OF Nalmase-
da's BLACK Brigade"
Havana, indeed, seems sorely in need
OF relief The city Is over-crowded with
refugees from other parts OF the island,
and with Spanish soldiers, Food is
scarce. and growing scarcer. and half
the people have little or no money with
which to buy Il at any price. Smallpox
is epidemic, ard viii douhtelss continue
TO r,vage the city until the rainy sea-
son brings yellow fever to take its
place Insurgent bands infest the SUI
burbs. cutting of supplies of milk and
Vegetables and destroying plantations
and villages within sight OF Morro Cas-
tie. A wretched plight the place is in,
practically besieged. and suffering act
ual plague and famine, II might better
affairs a little IL Weyier should send
the soldiers out 10 fight, instead OF keep
/ ing them idle TO consume the swiftly
waning store Of provisions. But he IL
too humane for that, for the troops
would run great danger OF getting hurt,
perhaps killed. The Cubans have q
habit OF thus ul-treating Spanish SOL
diers when they catch them in the
open. They blew up spanish guaboat
with torpedo the otnee day, in the
Cauto River, and killed most OF Its men.
And II they would do that TO an expedi-
ton sent merely to reinforce a Spanish
garrison in Santiago province. what
might they not do to an expedition sent
against Cubitas? They ar bad men,
these Cuban patriots: good deal like
the Mexicans Of half century ago, of
whom Birdofredom Sawin patheiically
complained that they
-du amaIin' lots O. things. thet isn't
wut they ough' TO,
Bein' they hain't no lead. 'hey make
their bullets out o copper
An shoot the darned things a; us, to,
which Caleb sex amt proper,
As for the rest. The Spanish situation
is mot improving. There is unQuestion-
ably imminent danger Of cabinet cri-
sis at Madrid, the consequences OF
which might be embarrassing 10 the
dynasty itself. The government has
wisely decided to cease discriminating
against American vessels In port
charges, but that tariy act of justice
will be OF little material value to IL.
1t will not perceptibly alter the attitude
of the American government or the SEN
tfments OF the American people. The
release Of the alleged filibustering
steamer Three Friends VIII not please
Spain, but II seems TO have been a
logical and proper thing TO do. The
United States, is at peace with Spain
and her colonies. and there is no rea-
son. therefore. for interrupting lawful
commerce between the two countries,
nor for refusing vessel clearance TO a
Spanish port This country cannot be
aiding belligerents in a war against
Spain by sending such ships, because,
according to the Spanish government
itself, there are no belligerents in Cuba,
and no state Of war. OF course, the
Spanish port officers will prevent the
landing Of any cargo until duty is paid
and all proper regulations are complied
with, and the local police. VIII prevent
the improper use Of the cargo after II
is landed. II not. surely this country
is not TO be called TO account for the
failures Of Spanish administration in
the Ever Faithful Isle"
1