The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-17
4 FIRMER POLICY IN CUBA.

Ii seems quite evident that we are TO
have a new Cuban policy at least a
new method of constituting and applying the
old one. The Cleveland policy was pre-emi-
nently one of peace. and i'm his anxiety to
avoid trouble with Spain he went TO the
very verge of neglecting the rights of
American citizens. The Spanish authori-
ties must have grown very bold in their
disregard of the rights of American citi-
zens to have called forth the recent dis
patches of Consul General Lee, urging
the government to support him and prod
ding it to do its duty. IL is evidently the
purpose of the new administration to make
a change in this regard. Its policy will
be one of peace and nonintervention, but
it will not include neglect of the rights of
any person claiming to be an American
citizen. There will be no jingoism, but
there will be NJ compromising of the rights
or dignity of American citizenship, whether
of native-born or naturaiized citizens.
President McKinley's allusion to Cuban af-
fairs in his inaugural message excluded the
idea of intervention by the United States,
but ii was accompanied by the statement
that the government would be ever watch
full of our national honor and always in
sisting on the enforcement of the lawful
rights of American citizens everywhere"
The Journal OF yesterday contained the fol-
lowing from its Washington correspondent:
Secretary Sherman and the Spanish min
lister. De Lone, have had Il series OF Very
important consultations within the pas:
four or hve days. the net result of which
fG hot he. tCk.
given to understand i'm the p.aiEt ST possible
words that this administration will insist
on Americans i'm Cuba being amply pro-
tected, and when they get in trouble they
must be accorded civil trial. according 10
the provisions of the existing treaty be-
tween the two nations. The Cuban dun
geons are full of Americans awaiting trial
on various charges. and the enforcement
of the policy laid down by Secretary Sher-
man would mean a wholesale liberation of
the greater majority of these prisoners. The
Spanish government is making Il strong
protest against the policy, and up TO the
PRESENT @riylh hcb has declined to give the
demanded. Minister De Lone Is very much
dissatisfied with the result of his confer
said within the last twenty-fCur hours If
he cannot secure modification of the
terms fixed by Mr.. Sherman he might
well be recalled, as his usefulness in this
country would be ov2c.
If this states the policy of the admins
tldtioi coITtctiy IL VIII De approved by
the country The maintenance of peace
with Spain should not concede the right to
imprison American citize1s or those claim
ing to be such who are seized or arrested
without arms in their hands. without "a
civil trial. Spain does not admit that war
exists in Cuba, and the United States has
not recognized the insurgents as belliger-
ents In these circumstances this govern
ment has right to hold Spain responsible
for every violation of the rights OF Anleri-
can citiZeIs that occurs IN Cuba, and 20 in
sist on the enforcement of treaty obliga-
tions. From the Spanish point of view
peace exists in Cuba. and tnat being the
case. no American. unless he have arms in
his hands. should be arrested. imprisoned
or proceeded against except by civil pro-
cess. This would mean a general Jail de-
livery SO far as imprisoned Americans are
concerned, and IL cir speedy trial ty a civil
court as the treaty provides. The attitude
of the new administration on this question
may not be agreeable to Spain. but it is
reasonable and just. and should be MAIN
tanned.