The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-12
The President and Cuba.

In the matter of Spanish pretences of
reform in Cuba, ii is probable that
President Mckinley is altoCether too
trustful and good naturcd The easiest
way out of a difficulty is not always
the hest way. Spain cannot SOW cruel
ty and oppression in Cuba for centuries
and expect in the turn Of a pen to reap
billet douX and orange blossoms.
II it is the intention Of the president
in his forthcoming message to congress
to take the position that few frpil
Spanish promises, i'm the light of his
tory presumably not worth the paper
they are written on, should suffice to
terminate our practical interest in the
Cuban revolution and Justify this gov
ernment in declining to take further
Copnizlnce of the matter, then in our
Judgment will lie make Il serious mis-
take, both az a matter of politics and
as matter Of principle. In such an
event It can hardly fail to become the
duty Of congress to remind the eXecu-
tive of the prcponderating viii of the
American people, which should be SOW
ereign with their executive ofiicials,and
which is that the now thoroughly es-
tablished republic of Cuba should be
accorded beligerent rights.
No one fails t. credit the president
with the most honorable motives in the
view which he apparently takes of this
governments duty in the Cuban prob
lem. Difference from that view is not
coupled with dsrespcct. But if the
apparently authentic forecast shall he
verified that Mr.. Mckinley intends to
rest the whole Cuban case on the fra
gile basis of Spain's preposterously
sudden and suspicious change of heart
then will there be among the presi-
dents warmest friends and supporters
n feeling Of regretful disappointment;
a sense of chagrin that national aspra-
tions and sympathes so deeply
grounded in the finest instincts of the
American character, should fail to out
weigh in his judgment the sordid in
terests Of bookkeeping and exchange.
There is possibility, too that the
attempt to commit this government
for an indefinite time to the policy Of
Indifference will defeat the very end
in view. We misjudge the character Of
the American people II they will now
consent to such a programme, involv-
ing as it does the practical certainty Of
continued disturbance at brief inter-
walls OF our commercial and social rela-
tions with Cuba. They have sat patient
for half q century under a condition
of affairs in Cuba that introduced an
irritant clement into all their relations
with that island and with Spain; and
now, when relief is in sight along the
line Of American interest and tradition,
it may require more than executive
urging, and more even than official Wig
ilanCe at the sea coast, to keep their
arms tied and their tOnghes muflled.
There is n feeling abroad that this
cuban problem must now at last be
settled. American sympathizers with
Cuba would like to see the American
government active in the negotiation
of settlement, but whether it shall
become active or remain indefinitely
passive, the settlement will doubtless
occur Just the same, and, unless all
signs deceive, it will be a settlement
on no basis short of Cuba's absolute in
dependence.
The Suurpn1p Court decision relative