The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-18
The Morgan Resolution.

/ II is difficult TO see what possible good
could come to either this country or the
Cubans from the adoption OF the Morgan
! resolution. on the other hand, it is not
difficult to see that the passage of the res
/ olution could get this country into a great
! deal Of trouble in little while. The reso-
luton declares that state Of war exists
/ in the island OF Cuba, and that the govern
ment of the United States viii maintain
strict neutrality between the contending
powers. according to each benigerent
rights in the ports ana territory of the
United States
The resolution declares that a govern
ment has been maintained by force of
arms by the Cubans for some time. but so
far as the Information possessed in this
country goes, that government is very
vague and shadowy. 1t cannot possibly be
claimed that it is a responsible govern
ment, to which the United States could
look for redress for wrongs done to
American citizens under the auspices Of
that alleged government or by persons or
parties giving allegiance to it. Yet the
resolutions propose that Spain shall be
in Cuba who may suffer wrongfully dur
ing the war, and the guarantee of
a government which probably does not ex-
list, except on paper or in the imaginations
Of Cuban sympathizers be accepted in
stead.
The adoption Of the belIigerency resolu-
ton would not open the way for sending
armed expeditions from this country to
Cuba, as seems to be the opinion in some
quarters. We are at peace with Spain, and
it would be as much a violation Of treaty
obligations to permit armed expeditions
to sail for Cuba after the passage of such
resolutions as before. To recognize a state
Of war in Cuba and accord both Spain and
Cuba belligerent rights would be to give
both parties the right to stop
and search on the high seas
American vessels suspected of
carrying arms and ammunition
which right neither party enjoys now.
We should be obliged to surrender the
freedom of American ships on the seas,
and at the same time go on stopping fill
clustering expeditions. precisely as we do
now. The Cubans have no ships. hence
they could not enjoy any "belligerent
rights" in American ports.
And what would we get back in return
for absolving Spain from responsibility
for acts against Americans committed in
Cuba, and for surrendering the freedom of
our ships on the seas? Nothing, except the
enmity of Spain. 1t is all well enough for
the jingoes and the thoughtless to sneer
at Spain as a bankrupt, degenerate and
decrepit nation. which Uncle Sam could
whip with one hand tied behind his back.
Such talk ticlSles American pride. But it
is not strictly true. Spain is still strong,
and populous, and proud, and she could
make it mighty interesting for the United
States for time. OF course, in the end the
United States would be victorious. No
country in the world has such wealth of
resources and more patriotic defenders.
But while the United States would win, it
would be at frightful cost II would be a
cost in lives and wealth which the Ameri-
can people are not called upon by the cir
cumstances to pay. There is nothing-ab-
solutely nothing-in the situation which
justifies this country in making a probable
cause of war with Spain.