The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-15
SUFFERING AMERICANS IN CUBA.

The distressing condition of a large num-
Der of American citizens in Cuba, as shown
by late official reports, raises some ques-
tons which are entirely new and not easy
to deal with. 1t may be assumed in the
first place that the reports are substan-
TALLY correct, since they come from United
States consuls at different points who
doubtless know what they are writing
about and who nave no inducement to mis-
represent matters. 1t stands to reason that
there must be many American citizens in
Cuba. An island lying so near our coast.
and with the attractions of climate and soil
which Cuba possesses. would naturally, in
the course Of years. attract a considerable
number of Americans. Some would go to
invest money, others to obtain employment
and others perhaps from a mere love of
change. Probably a considerable number
have taken their families with them. They
are none the less American citizens because
they are in a foreign country, and having
gone there on legitimate business and with
the intention of returning 20 the United
States they are entitled to the protection
of the government the same as if they were
making a transient tour through the island.
The consuls report that there are several
hundred, perhaps some thousands, of
American citizens Of thisc class who, under
General Weyler's brutal and unmilitary or
der, have been driven away from their
usual place of residence and herded in
towns to starve along with Cuban ''pacif-
icos." Admitting that they are entitled to
protection and relief, the question is, what
ought the government to do? Whatever it
may do, it must deal with the Spanish gov
eminent or the Spanish authorities in Cuba.
Not having recognized the Cubans as bel
ligerents the Spanish government is the
only one the United States knows in Cuba.
and as the two powers are friendly it has a
right to hold Spain responsible for any in
jury or damage done to peaceable American
citizens in Cuba. If any of these citizens
had been imprisoned this government would
have demanded their release. If they had
been killed it would have demanded from
the Spanish government reparation and in
demnity for their families. They have not
been imprisoned or killed. but they have
been driven like cattle into the towns, de-
prived Of the means of subsistence and i'm
pounded like stray dogs to starve. THE sit
uation calls for prompt and heroic action,
and again the question recurs, what should
be done? Whatever is done snodld be with
a view of affording the speediest protec-
ton and relief to every American citizen in
Cuba who is stranded there and anxious
to get away. 1t is not easy to see how the
recognition of the Cubans as beiligerents
would help the case. unless such recognition
were followed by such measures as would
bring the war to a close at once. Without
this the mere recognition of the insurgents
as belligerents might do Americans in Cuba
more harm than good. AS the case stands
the United States can hold Spain respon-
slble for whatever harm is done to these
people and can demand a free passport for
them to leave the island. If the insurgents
were recognized as belligerents Spain's re-
sponsibility in the premises would cease
and the United States could no longer make
any demand on her for the protection or
liberation Of these people, or for repara-
ton or indemnity. All the circumstances
combine to make a situation so peculiar
that there is no precedent for dealing with
it. In the absence of such precedent per-
haps the promptest way would be the best,
and that would be to demand of the Span
ish government the immediate liberation of
all American citizens now under restraint
in Cuba, will a permit to leave the island,
this demand to be accompanied by the dis
patch of one or more war ships with a relief
fund and authority to assist and bring
away every American citizen, man woman
or child, who may seek the protection of the
flag.