The times., 1897-09-10
FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER 10, 1897.
Our Cuban Policy.

OhA @hBNAh
Gen. FHzhugh Lee is home, and, accord
fng 10 all accounts, President Mckinley
Is 70 be in Washington in time TO 20
20 the Metropolitan Church on Sunday
morning and piously pray for all who
are desolate and oppressed and for 'all
prisoners and captives." Many such per
sons ere Americans in Cuba. Thus FAR
Mr. Mckinley has taken it out in praying
for Them. The American people want TO
know il he is going TO do anything else
Gen. Lee is In the country to meet it's
Chief Magistrate. Gen. Stewart L. Wood
ford is in Spain, after much intended de
lay. but he is there at last, and, on Mon
day next, 1t is supposed that he VIII be
presented 10 the Queen Regent. There
fore. II is a good time 10 call Mir. Nc
Klnley's attention to the fact that his
fellow -countryInen expect 10 hear some
thing very definite from him concerning
the attitude and policy of his Acminis-
tratiOn with regard to Cuba, and at an
exceedingly short date.
In AR. McKInley's own personal inter
est, we earnestly hope that he is not
allowing himself any illusions as 70 what
the people Of this nation have been think
ing about him in the connection ia question.
II he entertains the belief that something
he is about te do viii redeem him in popU-
lar opinion, 80 much the better; but, on the
face OF the returHs, that opinion wOYld not
consiUUte a pleasant hearing, If Men
toned in the Presidential ear in The terms
ia which usually it is expressed else
where
Mr. Mckinley inherited from his pred
eoessor a Cuban policy on its face 50
6n-American, so dishonorable, dastardly
and infamous. that he VIII never succeed
in wiping out the ofieuse % not abandoning
and deDouncing 1t from the start. Far
from doing 20, he adopted and has pros
ecuted 1t UP TO the present time. The
canons OF International law, the common
est dictates OF decency and humanity,
made IL incumbent and mandatory upon
him 70 recognize the beIligerency Of the
Cuban Republic. The usages and prec-
edeuts Of civilization called upon him
70 compel Spain TO conduct its war in
warfare, just as England compelled Spain
20 DO the same thing in 1870 wide the
Elliott treaty.. That he would have done
10th these things, If he had been allowed
TO do 50 by his prlvy council, is 4 matter
OF comr1on belief. That he has not done
50, and thus placed himself upon the high
plane OF true Americanism and love of
liberty anc humanity, ever must be blot
on the history OF his Administration, A no
matter what ne may do OF undertake in
tue future by way OF redemption.
Whether or not the full measure of per
sonal responsibility for this crime against
God ana GODS image rests upon President
Mckinley, our national annals viii have
20 reCite that, under his supposed control
and free agency, the right to fight for lib-
erty was denied a brave people with a
thoroughly organized government and
army, although q huge majority OF the
Congress and all the people were in favor
OF the grant OF beIligerent rights. Be
yond ttlis, history VIII tell how our navy
asbeea used TO assist Spain in its demoniac
war against old age, infancy and helpless
TOnanhood. And history VIII tel to The
shame OF this Government and generation
tercsts OF LOT OF money lenders, holders
OF spanish-cuban bonds and of British and
American investors in the Sugar Trust.
Nothing ever can wipe out these foul
stains.
But, hs we have ventured to remark, Gen,
Lee is here and Gen. woodfordis there and
3ir. Mckinley Is Somewhere around, What
viii happen7 There appears to be some
doubt "a 10 whether or not the mysterioui
Constructions" Of Minister Woodford amour
to anything. We ought TO know something
ebout II shortly and If we DO not learn any
thing as to the fact through the object les
son OF what woodford may do or say, ant
what the spauisrds may say or do in con
sequence, why. explanations from Mr.
Mckinley Immediately will he In order
He viii lie asked 10 explain what he mean;
Go do. If anything, and, specIfi caily
xnen he means 10 DO it. He has taxed
public patience far beyond the limit o
safety.
It 10 difficult to ascertain exactly how
much Mr. Mckinley is allowed to know