The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-09-07
Consideration Wasted.

CONSIDERATION WaSteu.
The Havana correspondent of the
Sun afllrms that at a recent gathering
in Havana of Spanish officials and
members of the Union Constitutional
party in Cuba a letter from General
Azcarraga, Spain's new prime minis
ter was read. Parts of it are quoted,
notably these:
THE Spanish patriots in Cuba ought
not to entertain the least apprehension
about the mission of Mr.. Woodford.
According to the governments infor-
nation from it's representative in
Washington, the intentions of the
United States are probably much eX-
aggerated, and besides our position is
so clear and our determination to re-
pei any unjust pretension of that ma
tion so emphatic that we are resolved
before yielding to go to all extremes,
even to war If necessary, in order to
defend our sacred rights in Cuba. Nor,
If we go to war, shall we be less con-
fident of the triumph of Spain. We
will be the champions of the great po-
litcal principle of European colonial
ton in America against that wrong
idea that the United States is the ar
bitter of national life and property in
the New World We will have the
sympathies of Europe no doubt about
that, and Europe will not consent to
our expulsion from Cuba. The day in
which, by the power of arms, or yield
ing before a war-lke pressure from the
United States, we shall give Cuba up.
| that day would be the eve of England's
loss of Canada and Jamaica, and
| Frances departure from her American
colonies. No, Europe will not consent
to our failure and apart from the fact
that our arms will have a better oc-
casion to display their strength in a
contest against civilized country
than in the guerrilla fights in the man.
| iguas of Cuba, we shall have, even If
we fail, a hand to lift us up in the
! last moments.
General Woodford will be received
and even welcomed as our mourned
! Don Antonio (Canovas del Castillo)
wished to welcome him. If he brings
only claims of American citizens harm
! ed in Cuba attention will be paid to
those claims as far as they are just.
In a friendly manner he will be noti-
| fled also of Spain's right to claim 9TH
er damages, and instructions will be
given for the purpose to our minister in
| Washington. But it will be a great
mistake if he intends to suggest any
other kind of American interference in
| Cuba. CanoVas did not answer the
proposals for home rule made by Presi-
dent Cleveland; but now, if the United
! States persists. the answer will have
to be given. 1t will be straight and
firm. 1t will end forever all those vain
pretensions of the Americans to rule
outside of their land. Spain will say
that she does not admit in the least
the right of the United States to inter-
fere in Cuba, that the war between
the Cuban rebels and Spain is but a
civil war, a contest of family, and that
foreigners ought to keep hands off
And Spain will stand by her answer
whatever the consequences may be-"
1t is to be wished for the benefit of
all concerned that these quotations are
genuine, that the prime minister Of
Spain, if occasion shall offer, will stand
by Them and lastly that occasion will
speedily offer. If it shall be necessary
for the United States eventually to go
to war with Spain in consequence of
Spain's inhumanity and obstinacy in
Cuba, the sooner the unpleasantness
| shall be over the sooner will both nrin
cipals in the encounter breathe freely
and be in position to enjoy peace. 1t
will simply make for additional mis-
chief if this government shall hereaf-
ter pause in the performance of its
plain duty out of wasted consideration
for the mulish braggarts at Madrid.
Let us see what other power in Europe
would have the effrontery to try to
stay our hand.