New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-08
THE FATUITY OF SPAIN.

The report of the Senate Committee on For
egn Relations touching the brutal and almost
inhuman treatment Of two American sailors by
the Spanish authorities in Cuba and the top
lofty and altogether unsatisfactory declaration
on the part Of the Madrid Government that II
considers the incident as definitely ended ad-
mlts no longer Of any doubt regarding the att-
tude OF Spain toward the United States. 1t Is
one Of strange faulty, and may, sooner or later
IL persisted in. lead TO serious consequences
This country has no desire other than that or
living on terms Of amty and peace with the
rest Of the world. 1t has given proof OF this
time and again. 1t has set an example. indeed
of indulgence and fOrbearance to other nations
10 the verge almost Of losing its self-respect. IL
has permitted a score of complaints and griev-
ances within the last ten years to become the
object OF contempt to successive governments
I'm Madrid. any one Of which in the case OF
European Power would long since have led to
the severance of diplomatic relations. And it
has done this. not because It had any doubt as
TO the Justice Of It's claims or the reasonable
ness Of its demands. but because it wished to be
generous and forbearing and not to press those
claims and enforce those demands at time
which. to another Government less considerable
especially opportune one for satisfactory set
tlement.
Extreme measures are to be deprecated. The
United States, however, cannot afford to Ignore
the affront involved in a deliberate refusal Of
Spain to make amends for a clear and pecul-
,arly offensive violation Of treaty rights. The
President put 1t none too strong in his inaugural
address when he spoke Of 1.-THE enforcement Of
,t,htc - nrin
"wbere" as being one Of the policies his Admin
lstratiOn would pursue. He seems through the
State Department to have exhausted the Gus
tomary channels OF diplomacy-in their initial
stage, at least-for the purpose Of securing from
Spain an admission Of the wrong done to the
two sailors. Button and Richeleu. The Execu-
tive having failed to accomplish anything single
handed It remains to be seen what will be the
effect when 1t becomes known that his course
has the cordial and practically unanimous sup
port of the Senate. A resolution similar to that
reported by Senator Lodge yesterday was re-
quired to bring Venezuela TO It's senses some
years ago. 1t Is not impossible that the prompt
action Of the Senate in the present difficulty may
have a similar effect upon Spain.
We have seen it stated that these two sailors
are. after all. only naturaized citizens, and, not
being pntive Americans, are therefore, even II
technically entitled to the protection OF our Gov
eminent, not worthy Of the moral support Of
the country Of which they are now citizens.
The point Is not we'll taken The gift OF citizen
ship it may be. Is bestowed In most cases
thoughtlessly, and accepted without due sense
of the responsibilities It involves. Having been
bestowed, however, Its privileges cannot be cur
tailed And m)ng its privileges Is that "en-
"forcement OF the lawful rights OF American
citizens everywhere Of which President Nc
KInley spoke In his inaugural address Besides,
the two sailors under discussion are not natives
OF Cuba who became naturazed In order TO
intrigue against Spain under cover Of their new
" acquired citizenship but they are natives OF
Sweden md France. Upon moral no less than
technical, grounds they are entitled to the full