Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-11
csmmssis On Ptssldenrs Treatment Of Cuban

1t is perhaps worthy Of more than
casual notice that President McKin-
ley's treatment Of the Cuban situation
ia not exactly pleasing to the Spanish,
the Cuban insurgents abroad or to the
LIMOGES" and anti-administratiou
forces at home. When it,js considered
that three Of these groups have pur-
pose to serve. by more or less 'objectins
to the Presidents position it is truly
remarkable that the comments taken
as a whole are very favorable. 1t is a
recognition that the attitude assumed
is generally regarded as honorable and
just. ~
1t will be noticed that in some of
those criticisms President McKinley's
position is likened to President Cleve-
lands. But careful review of both
must convince the impartial critic
that their similarity consists chiefly
in their failure to find cause for grant
ing belligerent rights under the best
recognized presidents of International
law and both had President Grant for
a distinguished adherent to that view
under conditions closely resembling
those now existing. In other respects
attempts to parallel fail.
Ever since Mr. Mckinley came TO
the presidency there has been evinced
on the part of the Spanish government
an apparent sense of the advisability
of giving some heed to the wishes of
our government True, comparatively
little was accomplished under Weyler.
His barbarous DEGREES, which went in
to, operation while Mr. Cleveland was
President were vigorously protested
against and now have been abolished
American prisoners that received very
little comfort from the attitude of the
Cleveland administration have been
released. Our consul general at Ha-
vana, who was disliked by the Span
iards for his sturdy Americanism and
SyIuPdtHy III tHC lIlSul 6CAlo anu /" 40
held in check by the Cleveland admin
istration has been retained at his post
by an administration of different
political complexion and has been up
held there in every attitude he has as
sumed. Weyler has been recalled, and
the President has told us what he
thought of his brutality in language
which has no parallel in words
uttered by Cleveland. The efforts
Spain is now making to sub
ers, which it seems the previous ad-
ministration made little effort to have
released. have all been. set free. The
efforts Spain is now making to sub
due the rebellion are in line with, if
not exactly such as we might wish or
such as we may expect to succeed. In
deed there is nothing in President Nc
Kinley's words to indicate that he be-
lieves the autonomy plan will prove
successful.
He does believe. however. that it
would be manifestly improper for this
country. in view of the evidently ear
nest attempt of the new Spanish min
istry to save Cuba to Spain by negotia-
ton rather than by force, also to re-
lieve the distress of the non-combat-
ants and to protect business and prop
perty and conduct warfare on mora
humane lines not to grant them OPP
portunity for making the test. Believe
as we may or as the President may,
relative to the efficacy of such plans,
it would be hardly seemly after all the
brutality, insolence and destruction of
American interests that has up to the
tolerated, to now refuse to give the
new and better disposed ministry Il
chance to see what it can do.
This granted then must it be ac
knowledged that President Mckinley
position is the only tenable one. Nor
does it preclude action on our part
looking TO interference. 1t appears
that our new minister to Spain has in
timated to that government that we
shall expect a settlement of the diff
Guilty within certain limit of time, and
that in response to this the Spanish
government intimated that we must
then prevent filibustering. Since the
President delivered his message the
report has been made to Congress
showing that Spain herself and moi
this country is responsible for the sue
cess of filibustering expeditions; that
they have been landed at ports in con-
troll Of the Spanish, we may reasonably
infer through the influence of bride
which the Spaniard seems unable to
resist The President allows Spain tt
shift no responsibility onto our Shout
ders greater than we have faithfully
borne from the sfirst. Spain mus
pacify Cuba. To quote from the mes.
sage: That past methods are futile
to force peace by subjugation is free.