The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-12-15

patriots of former generation, at the
end of ten years of warfare, laid down
their arms, warns Gomez and his com
patriots of their fate if they listen now
to SPANS fair-sounding promises. The
patriots have learned caution and wis
dom by dear experience. "Independ-
ence or DEATH" is their watchword, and
their reply to Sagasta's, as it was TO
Carnova's, seductive overtures.
Why should not patriot people that
for three years has successfully delied
Spain's army of 100000 men and her
best generals, that has almost invaria-
bly, defeated that army in battle, that has
seen it shrink to less than half it Origi-
nal numbers while the patriot forces
are not only intact but have grown
stronger in the means of defense and
attack, that has under its control and
subject TO regularly organized gov
ernment the principal part of their
country, that has developed men with
the capacity for military command and
AUTOMATICALLY should not such a
people be accorded the highland the
acknowledgment of the right--to fair
field in its battle for independence? OF
all nations on the face of the earth g,
why should not the United States ac-
knowledge that right? OF ali nations
on the face of the earth, why should
this great North American republic be
the ally of Spain in exterminating such
people and making their country a
desert?
The acknowledgment of belligerency
by this nation would be the pledge, 80
far as its government is concerned, of
absolute, inpartiality in the conflict be-
tween Cuba and the parent country.
To-day, Spain may use the markets and
ports of the United States without re-
straint for the subjugation of Cuba, but
vessel suspected even of carrying
arms or military supplies of any kind
to the Cubans is seized and its cargo
condemned, if the neutrality laws have
been violated. A large force of the
revenue marine and several war vessels
are constantly employed, at the expense
of millions of dollars, to prevent the
departure of expeditions to aid the
Cubans. The Cubans ask the conces-
sion of belligerent rights by the United
States that there may be neutrality on
the part of this government in respect
of Spain as we'll as her insurgent SUBJ
jects. The latter do not ask this gov
eminent for help. They simply ask
that the government shall not help
Spain in her efforts to subdue them
And their requestsis right and fair.
Spain would have no just ground TO re.
sent the acknowledgment of certain
belligerency.
With several other European powers,
Spain granted belligerent rights to the
Confederacy before the first battle OF
Bull Run. Had the United States two
years ago, when the strength of the
Cuban instruction became fully de.
veloped and was we'll understood in
this country, conceded belligerent
rights to the Cubans, the act would
have been comparatively simple. II
might reasonably have been expected
and would have caused little, if any
disturbance. By delay the government
has invited trouble and probably re
sentiment by Spain. Its hesitation, the
lack of harmony between the two
houses of Congress, or between Con
gress and the President, have encour
aged Spain and stimulated hostility-ol
bluff-among other European powers
so that what might have been once
merely perfunctory act is now invest
ed with the terrors Of actual war.
"On humanitarian grounds" plead
the advocates of delay, the United
States may-sometime-be forced to
intervene. What fresh and unheard.o
barbarities must Spain yet practice
what hecatombs of new victims mus
her cruelty claim, before this great ant
enlightened people shall intervene 6" or
humanitarian grounds ~? The plea il
its grim irony, sounds like notice t.
the struggling Cubans that the spiri
that dared all the power of Great Brit
ain in behalf of the Venezuelans--ant
conquered-cowers before the bragga
docio of impotent Spain.