Iron County register., 1897-09-30
The Rublcon Is Crossed.

The Government of the United States
has crossed the Rubicon 1t has inter
vened to put an end to the barbarous
war which for two years and half
has drenched Cuba with patriotic blood
and laid waste the islnad. Spain has
been formally notified that the war
must stop by the first of November. If
the revolution by that date has not
been ppressed-whlch is beyond the
power of Spain-then the United States
will take such action in the interest of
There can be no mistaking the import
OF the message which Minister Wood
ford has born TO San Sebastian from
President Mckinley. 1t means free
dom for Cuba and the removal from the
American Republic OF the strain which
inaction has placed upon it in the eyes
of the world.
The American people need have no
doubt of the truth of the statement
that this message has been delivered.
A week ago it was announced in the
journal. without any sensational talk
about ..ultimatums. and the news has
been confirmed. The Journal is not
going on hearsay at Madrid or Wash
ington. 1t speaks from absolute knowl-
edge.
Who shall say that the Cubans have
not earned independence by their he
roic struggle? All the forces of Spain
have not been able to quell them.
Weyler's victories and pacifcation of
provinces have been on paper, backed
though he is by an army of nearly 20O,-
900 men, representing the resources of
Spain, now almost exhausted. The
patriots after two years and half of
fighting are stronger than ever. They
have opened the Fall campaign with
brilliant triumphs, capturing fortified
towns and menaeing even the gates of
Havana. In men, equipment and sup
plies they are in better case than at
any time during the war. Artillery
has been added to their armament, and
the boldness and effectiveness of their
movements have conspicuously in
creased. They are alive with hope
and courage. A large part of the
island is under the sway OF :heir or
ganized Government, ano but recently
Presidential election was held. They
are State, entitled to the recognition
of the United States.
Both the great political parties,
Congress, and the people through ev-
cry avenue of public expression, have
declared for the Cubans. The Execu-
tive Department of the Government
has been dilatory, shamefully dilatory,
in giving official force to the popular
will. President Mckinley in at last
taking the stand represented by Minis
ter Woodford's instructions but does
what the country has long besought
him to do. In his course of action he
now has behind him the American
people. They will be behind him,
too, in facing the consequences of do
ing right, no matter how grave those
consequences may be.
The business interests of the coun
try should welcome with eagerness the
decided position assumed by the Ad-
ministration. Note the tremendous
fall in securities that has resulted from
the publication of the news of inter
vention. While the war lasts in Cuba
business disturbance must ever be i'm
minent. 1t is a blazing threat to the
stability of the markets that cannot be
removed short of a complete quenchlng
of the fire. Our commerce with the
island has been ruined, but that is a
small matter in comparison with the
larger effects which the continuance
of the sanguinary and devasting strug-
gle would produce from time to time.
The cure for this peril is the one the
President has rescribed-cessation of
the war
There ought to be no politics in this
discharge of high obligation. Parti-
san carping at such crisis in such a
cause as Cuban independence is equal
ly petty and disgraceful.
The question is an American ques-
tion, and should be dealt with broadly
as such by the American Government
and the American nation. The time
for needing hostile critics at home or
abroad is past. The United States has
raised its hand in warning to Spain.
Whether that warning will be taken,
or whether the hand will need to fall,
time alone can reveal.
The time is short. Spain has but
six weeks in which to achieve the i'm
possible or to obey the command of the
United States to lay down her sword
in Cuba. Every American who loves
his country and his country's honor
will support the American President
is doing his duty. Cuba must be free.