The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-09-22
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE.

We have to confess the existence Of
very large-sized doubt in our mind
respecting the alleged ultimatum sup
posed to have been delivered by Gen.
Woodford to the Spanish government.
In a general way, this is said to be a
plain intimation to the ministry of
Spain that it must bring to an end the
war in Cuba, or else the United STATES
will feel itself called upon to interfere
actively. It is said that our minister
represented the great injury that COM
merce and industry are suffering
through the continuance of disturb
ances in Cuba; that the struggle had
continued so long and with so little
evidence of ability to conquer on either
side that no end of it could be foreseen;
that the direct and indirect interests
of the United States warranted a ter
mination of this state of perpetual and
harassing warfare, and that we re-
garded the end of October as a reason
able date in which the war should he
concluded, or else we would feel called
upon to act.
Put in a single sentence, this method
of dealing with the Cuban question
seems to us too good to be true. II it
should turn out to be a plain fact, the
G l o b e will accord to President Nc
Kinley the sincere praise that will be
his due. We can even pardon procras-
tination, and try to find some excuse
for closing eyes and ears to the
wretchedness of Cuba while forcing
be an end of our criminal Indifference
or our still more criminal indulgence in
buncombe and wordy bravado. If the
administration shall only put an end to
the long and eventless struggle be-
tween the patriots in Cuba and their
Spanish oppressors, we shall not be in
clined to find fault with it's method of
doing so.
There is nc possibility of any imme-
date or important change in the rela-
tive attitude of the two parties now
| waiting in sheer exhaustion in Cuba,
and glazing at each other in impotent
hatred. 1t has been demonstrated i'm
possible for Weyler and his forces to
subjugate the insurgents or to regain
possession OF the region outside of the
city of Havana or to do more in fact
than to sit down there in their fortified
camp and wait sullenly for the patriots
to lay down their arms. AThey, on their
side, are lacking in the organization
| of forces, in the munitions of war, ard
especially in heavy siege guns that
! would be necessary to capture the
! Spanish stronghold. Both are deter
mined to maintain this intolerable situ-
alton to the death. Spanish pride pro-
| hibits on enc side retreat, Which even
her own people must now see is to
| SPANS real interest. Cuban patriot
ism on the other side prevents any sur
render or compromise until the last
swept from the island.
The continuance of the struggle must
mean only outrage and suffering. In
heavens name let it be ours to declare
that this has gone far enough. No in
terest, national or International, can be
served by permitting the Cuban strug-
gle to drag itself out to unmeasured
lengths of interminable woe. 1t is our
duty, as it always has been, to assume
the active part 1t has been proved
to our satisfaction that Spain can never
reconquer her rebellious province. It's
interests and our interests and the in
terests of humanity demand interven-
ton. Such action, to be effective,
should take the shape, not OF a paper
resolution of congress, but Of a direct
and firm representation by our state
department to the authorities at Mad
rid that the United States proposes to
settle this question itself. This is, as
it has been said, the only manly and
honorable policy, the only course
worthy of a great nation. Without dis
tinetion Of party, the G l o e has urg-
ed this upon two administrations. II
| Mr.. Mckinley has finally acceded to the
wish of all patriotic Americans, and if
the rurnor of Gen. Woodford's mission,
which we fear is not well authenticate
ed. should prove to be true, the presi-
t dent will have won the plaudits Of the