Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1897-05-22
THE PRESIDENTS CUBAN POLICY,
Possibilities of Tariff Debate--More
About Civil Service.

(From our Regular Correspondence
Presiden- McKinley's policy of
protecting American citizens in Cuba
goes great deal further than pro-
tecting then in their political rights,
as he has fully made known to Con-
gress. 1t includes protecting them
from the starvation that is staring SO
MANY of them in the face, as a result
of the policy of Gen. Weyler in coop
ing them up in the cities and towns
of Cuba where there is no opportunity
tor those who are dependent upon
their labor for living for themselves
and families to obtain employment.
President Mckinley has asked Con-
grsss to appropriate money to furnish
food, clothing and medicine for these
suffering Americans, and Congress
will promptly do it, and the relief
will be distributed BY U. S. officials.
The Spanish minister wanted to have
the distribution made by Spanish
officials, but he was promptly inform
ed that it could not be done; that as
long as Spain had by its policy caused
these people, American citizens and
non -combatants, to be deprived of the
work by which they lived, it should
have seen that they were in some
other way provided for; that having
failed to do its duty, the y. S. would
relieve its own citizens, either by
birth or naturalization, without help
or hindrance from Spain. That is as
tar as the matter has gone, but there
is little doubt that the sending of
relief to Cuba for suffering Americans
by this government, is the first stop
towards intervention, either peaceably
or by force, to put an end to the
barbarous condition of affairs on the
island. 1t will follow as natural
sequence II present conditions were
allowed TO continue, the U. S. Gov
eminent would have to establish
permanent relief depots in every town
on the island. The first duty will be
to clothe the naked Americans, feed
the hungry and see that the sick get
proper nursing and medicine; then
the conditions that brought about the
suffering will have to be changed.
There will be no occasion for trouble,
unless Spain makes it. If she does,
so much the worse for Spain.
Mr.. Frank A. Vanderlip, who
has been acting as private secretary
to Secretary Gage, since he entered
the cabinet, and who has been nomi-
mated to be Assistant Secretary of the
Treasury, is one of the youngest men
who ever filled this important posi-
ton, but his ability to properly per-
form its duties is unquestioned
Although Mr. Vanderlip IS only 80
years old, he has had an extended
financial experience, having been for
eight years financial editor of the
Chicago Tribune, and ever since his
school boy days close student of f.
nance and political economy.
From Republican point of view,
Florida neither gains nor loses to any
marked extent by sending ex-Repre-
sentative Stephen R. Mallory to the
Senate in place of Mr.. Call. whose
term expired with the last Congress.
Although Mr.. Call served three terms
in the Senate, he was more widely
known because of the little episode
connected with his wearing fancy
socks and taking off his shoes while
the Senate was in session, than for any
craftsmanship displayed during his
eighteen years service.
The tariff debate will not begin un.
til next week, although Senator Aid.