The San Francisco call., 1897-04-02
AMERICA MUST ACT.

1t was foregone conclusion that Wey-
ler would want to kill General Rivera
after he had taken him prisoner. Weyler
Is Just the kind of a creature who couldn't t
Tor the life OF him see why he should not
take advantage of so soft snap for doing
away with an enemy. The prime consid-
Grafton between this engaging scoundrel
and the pleasure of slaug htering an op-
ponent is that OF getting the opponent in
his power. All other eonsid erations-
such as custom, rules OF warfare or con-
ventional military etiquette-are IntrIca.
cies which he doesn't pretend to under
stand, and which he would regard with
amazement if ne did understand them
As for mere ordinary decency. that is a
trait to which he was born an utter
stranger, and to which he has never since
been introduced.
In The CALL review of General Rivera s
prospects for getting shot like rat in a
trap, as published yesterday, the immi-
nence of the prisoners peril was probably
undertstimated. Subsequent dispatches
apprise US that Weyler is more restless
over his captive's continued enjoyment of
life than was at first supposed. The gen.
eral is in fair way to be ordered out for
execution on the very first cold and dis
agreeable morning that dawns.
Now, what does the United States Gov
ernment'think of such situation? Ii it
is going to take the trouble to think any,
thing OF il at all it had better begin doing
it pretty suddenly. The general time for
dallylng Is long and perennial, but the
present moment in its relation to the fate
OF General Ru Rivera doesn't happen to
be part of il. Unless the Uni ed States
does something besides dallying General
Ruiz Rivera will be murdered. That is
exactly the alternative. Unless some
civilized power steps in and says that this
rutfian Weyler, who is no more ft to con-
duct war against decent people or to
deal with honorable soldiers than a
baboon is to preside over q university,
shall not carry out his sickeniug and out
rageous ideas of military justice, the civil
lied world is going 10 be treat ted. to q
universal disgrace that will make all of its
proud pretensions to military deportmen
mere mockeries in the sight of heaven.
What cares any sensible human being
for all these army parades, these spangled
uniforms, these brass bands and various
other spectacular things which go to
make up the majesty" and the "impres.
siveness'' OF. standing armies - what
cares he for all this show if it avails moth
ing in an actual emergency like the pres
enr, when the majesty" of all the stand
ing armies on earth is about to be de-
graded by the cold-blooded murder of an
honorable prisoner of war at the hands of
one who vulgarly ignores every decent
convention OF the modern code That
foul blot wouldn't look well on an es-
cutcheon that has been worn thin with
diiigent Furnishing during all these years
of shining peace.
The American Government mus. no.
let this crime occur. 1t is its duty, ty
all the rules of morality, decency and
military honor, TO interfere. There will
be no .a!ntest excuse for its not doing so.
If no hand is raised from America to stay
this outrage when there lies open to us so
fair and even pressing an opportunity,
the only inference to be left after the
cruel deed is done will be that the United
| States would not favor Cuba in its strug-
gle for republican independence even
though it could have done so as easily as
not. And that would be proud re1ec,
tiOn upon our boasted love for liberty and
justice, wouldn't il?