The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-08

cism, admits that 1t does not represent the
sentiments OF the American people as eX-
pressed by Congress a year ago in the JOINT
resolution in which both houses declared a
state of war did exist In Cuba and that
il should be so recognized by this govern
ment. It Is politely told to attend to It's
own business; that If the recognition OF
belligerency shall become necessary IN the
future the executive power will act without
congressional interference.
''It is generally understood that this dellD-
crate conspiracy to thwart the Will OF the
Nation is to be carried out through an APP
peal to the speaker of the House of Rep
resentatives, who is expected to so manipu-
late Its rules as to prevent the passage OF
the pending belligerency resolution. which
words the tyranny Of the speakership in
the House is to be so used in behalf OF
Spanish tyranny in Cuba as to prevent any
expression whatever Of sympathy with or
recognition of a government whose status
has within the last few days been described
as follows:
Lee has informed the State. Department
that the insurgents In Cuba elected ano III III
stalled at Vaza, Porto Principe. on 2cI. ~,
the following officers: President, Bart9lo
Masso; Vice President, Domingo Mendez
Caporte; secretary of war, Jose b. Aleman
secretary of the treasury Ear dffsiUs an
dreas Moreno de la Tore; secretary OF .le
interior, Manuel r. Silva general IN cnleI,
Maxine Gomez; lieutenant general SahXto
1.-The House of Representatives is either 70
be muzzled or called on to declare that tnls
revolutionary government e. w snen h IN CUBA,
has no such de facto existence as VIII az az
thorize a recognition of war petWeen IN. sie
cOntending parties. That absurd contention
becomes the more grotesque When we re.
member that Spain has expended, Wlthoul
effect against such revolutionary govern.
ment far more money and men IMAM Great
Britain employed during our entire -eVola-
tionary war. -
There are limits even to the patience OF
A. md no
come when the executive power shoulu pc
made to feel through public demonstration
that the Nation will no longer pernit itS
sovereign will in a righteous cause to be
entirely set aside in the interest or tremu-
lous, selfish, short-sghted policy. Inc ne
whole contest now centers In the passage
Of the belligerency resolution pending IN tne
House. If that cannot be carried, tnen notLi-
ing whatever can be done to END a strlle
that has been going on for hfteen years out
of the last twenty-nine. and which, after de-
stroying our commerce with the lsldIu, mas
become war cloud tnat e4 tba gSresent adj
ministration proposes to indefinitely post
pone such uncertainty at the cost OF every
business interest 1t must be prepared 10 ac-
cept the consequences.
TAT this last stage of the struggle there
can hardly be doubt that If belhgerency
should be recognized, within three months
the insurgents would be so dominant IN the
island that the war could shortly De cnued
by the recognition of Cuban independence.
Those who are best informed firmly believe
that without one word of aid or sympathy
from US that result will be attained within
twelve or eighteen months: Ii bungllng Oh
plomacy shall permit such an event. the
situation may assume a serious form that
few seem to contemplate.
IF we scorn and spit upon the Cubans
until victory and independence are won
without aid or comfort from us why should
they not turn to one or the other of the
great maritime powers that will then be
only too eager to supply all their watts and
to enter into the closest relations with them.
We have for long time declared no Euro
pean power other than Spain shall ever pos
sess Cuba. We may so blunder as to be
forced to maintain that contention at the
point of the sword Out of such possible
difficulties, the way is now clear and easy.
Let the pending belligerency resolution be
promptly passed by the House, and Spain s
power in Cuba will collapse like a pune
uured balloon. For that reason she is max
ing desperate fight against it, with the aid
of the present administration. Only through
the triumph of the revolutionary govern
ment can permanent and lasting peace be
established in Cuba; only through a prompt
and decided expression of sympathy with
that government can we extricate ourselves
from dilemma which is fast growing into
the most short-sighted and disgraceful cpl
sode in our national history.
"HANNIS TAYLOR