The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-08
The [ .anguage of Patriotism.

| island is made absolute is a notable
| document, which in every line breathes
the air of sincerity and unquenchable
! patriotism.
The manifesto recites the fact that
| nearly three years of inconceivably
fiendish war. pillage and murder have
preceded Spain's recent proffer of au-
tonomy, making of the latter a gro
tesque farce; and 1t continues: From
this it appears that the political re-
form offered to Cuba, and which in
| order to prove efficacious should have
been the spontaneous product of the
national conscience, convinced of it's
justice in so acting, is merely an ex-
pedient to which the Madrid govern
ment has recourse, now that it has ex-
hausted all the means of violence and
crime. No political change can be
stable or fruitful under these cond-
tions. What is granted through fear
or coercion is withdrawn at the earliest
opportunity. But leaving aside these
considerations, which are so essential,
the so-called reform is unacceptable to
the Cubans, because it does not respond
TO their necessities, satisfy their as
pirations. or recognize the fulness of
their rights. Cuba must so organize
her economic life that she shall obtain
the legitimate remuneration for her
labor, within the general laws that
govern production and trade, and with
respect to her special industrial con-
dltions. Her political connection with
Spain would impose upon Cuba a fiscal
system which would render the fulfill
ment of this essential condition an
utter impossibility, now and for a long
time to come. Spanish domination
means, in the first place, and at the
very least, the payment of the interest
upon mOnstrous debt, the cost of a
large army of occupation, of a navy
and bureaucracy, whatever may be
the term under which it will be dis
guised. Our possible and probable net
income, during many years after peace
shall have been established, will barely
suffice to pay the obligations of the
debt with which Spain has over
whelmed us. The Cuban, no longer
willing to suffer a foreign guardian
ship, aspires to govern himself. But a
Cuban government. surrounded by
Spanish bayonets, watched by a Span
ish navy stationed all along the coast
of our territory, whose laws, if the
power of legislation be conceded to it,
must be applied by Spanish tribunals,
and whose relations with other coun-
tries must run along the channel of
Spanish diplomacy, would not be even
the caricature of a government"
The conclusion, evident from these
obviously true promises, is that Spain
purposes only to deceive the world. To
accept this perfidious overture, the
manifesto declares, would be not only
to regard as useless the sacrifice and
the blood of so many thousands Of our
countrymen, but to close our eyes to
the dictates of experience, the teacher
of foresight. Our sad history has
taught us that Spain learns nothing
through adversely. Our terrible ten
years war taught her nothing If she
yields today it is because she has be-
come convinced of her own weakness
and through a desire to please the
great American people that has mani
tested its discomfort SO soon as the
island shall again he at peace and the
defenders Of her liberty are unarmed,
Spain will quickly impose upon us
anew her harsh rule, which has ruined
us, without giving us peace in eX-
change, nor guaranteeing us our rights.
The continuation OF her power, there
fore, would quickly result in war, and
meanwhile the reign of discomfort, Of
conspiracies, and of unrest, the enemy
of labor and wealth." For these rea-
sons the signers of the manifesto urge
the Cuban government to continue un-
abated the war for Cuban liberation
until either successful issue is
reached or every able bodied Cuban is
killed in the struggle
Meanwhile, it must please Americans
to read in inspired dispatches from
Washington and in editorials in ad-
ministration organs how solcitous
President Mckinley is to court and
retain the gracious favor of Spain!
a dispatch from Havana saws. Ger.