The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-03-20

which gives It its financial value, requires
enormously expensive machinery. That
which was on the island has been de-
stroyed. By whom will 1t be repiaoed'
Not by the Cubans, for they have no
money. Not by native Spaniards and fo'
the same reason. Experience has proved
tn Europeans and to citizens of the Unit
&c states that they can place no conh-
dence in the permanency OF any peace
which may be patched UP between the
people of the island and the mother coun-
try, and there are no means by Wnich
the terms of such peace coull be en-
forced The Cubans would not invest I'LL
liens In maclncry whiil could be de-
stroycd IN ali hour. on the othcr hand,
If the independence of the Island Is ac-
llowledSed ana the Cuhlns erect stable
tt rm of ro"C'rtment th3 30 capital VIII
fow to them in greater volume than they
will need. With peace assured. there is
no other country where money would lind
quicker or more profitable employment
ard money Is always 20 be found for safe
investments.
-.l:-
The suggestion that the Cubans should
be willing to purchase their independence
is not to be considered. Let them conquer
It, Why should they pay for it? No part
of Spain's vast debt has ever Injured TO
their benefit. SO far from that, the money
eXtorted from them by Spain is only to be
counted in billions. After having been de-
spoiled by her, why should they be made
to pay the sums, or any part thereof,
which have been spent in attempts to keep
them in servile subjection?
-:II:--
The absolute independence of Cuba is,
also Indispensable to the maintenance of
uninterrupted peace between the United
States and Spain. For fifty years that ISL
and has been an unfailing and constant
| source of disagreement and enlargement
| between the two countries. that at times
| have brought the two countries to the
very verge of war. Under Spain 1t has
| been, and will continue to be, thorn in
| our side. During the entire period of OUT
| civil war its proximity to our shores maze
I it a point from " hich We were constantly
| harmed Vessels laden with every kind
of contraband of war and with supplies
sailed openly from Cuban ports to the
| coast of the Southern Gulf States. They
would do so again under similar circum'
| stances. No land officials attempted then
| or would attempt in future, to prevent
| them from being laden or dispatched. Nc
| war vessels at sea were present to inter
| cept them even when they were in Cubar
| waters. We captured the vessels so en-
| gagged when we could, but after the w9i
was over no indemnity was asked to!
| these unfriendly and harmful acts.
| lii
our obligations toward Spain, now in q
position similar to that we occupied to
| ward her in lsGl-G5, are held to be very
| different. Under the pretext of enforc
ing our neutrality laws, laws which were
| enacted during the last century, Spanish
spies are allowed to swarm in our citie!
and ports, employed in ferreting out ev
cry scheme for the shipment of supple!
| supposed to be intended for Cubans in re
volt, and furnishing information thereo
to our officials, who in turn are compelled
by their instructions to seize and con
denim them. National vessels, which
were destined for the protection of on
revenue and to afford assistance to storm
tossed mariners in distress, are diverted
| from the purposes for which they wer
| built and made to patrol our coasts. seek
| ing for vessels supposed to be bound 70
Cuba with supplies for the insurgents, II
| order to bring them back to port. Al
this takes place while other vessels load
ed to their scuppers are allowed to sal
away and carry to the Spanish army ever
sort of supplies, supplies without whc
that army would soon perish from starV1
ton, for they are only kept alive by pro
| visions coming to them from over tn
seas. When We have troubles Spain add
to them. When she Is in trouble we hav
| to assist her.
-:ll:-
| The people of the United States ar
growing desperately tired Of this unilateI
: al contract. If our revenue cutters wef
, employed in performing the duties fo
which they We're designed, and If our cit
zens were allowed to act toward Spain a
the subjects of Spain We're permitted
| without hindrance, to act toward us, III
der similar circumstances, the strugg
| in Cuba would soon be ended. Her peopl
would soon be free, and the United State
would have a friend. and not an enemy. 8
| near neighbor.