New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-11
A NEW POLICY IN CTRl

No better bit of news has come from Cuba
since the war began than the announcement that
the Spanish Government there has adopted a
new policy toward American citizens suspected
of completely with the revolution Such per-
sons 1t is said are hereafter to he tried prompt
ly. II found innocent they are to be released
If found guilty they are to be expelled from the
island. with. no doubt. a warning Of sterner
treatment If caught there again. This announce
ment Is almost "too good to be true" On gen.
eral principles 1t would be at once discredited
But just now there are some special reasons for
thinking 1t may be true. If So all three parties
cCncerned-Spain, Cuba and the United States
have cause for earnest satisfaction. There has
been hitherto some belief In this country that the
Spanish authorities in Cuba discriminate against
Americans, and treat them with exceptional
harshness. 1t Is impossible to avoid the convic-
ton that they did so. persistenty and fagrantly,
in the Ten Years War. The single case Of the
Virginlus, In which they wantonly massacred the
ships company and after they had agreed to
return 1t, maliciously dismanted the ship and
put II in a sinking condition, affords sufficient
proof. There has been more than one incident
in the present war Indicative Of like spirit
Yet such conduct Is not only contrary TO the law
Of nations. but is especially unwarranted by the
individual circumstances OF this particular case
Let IT be granted that much apparent provoca-
ton has been given to the Spaniards The Gu
ban Junta has made its headquarters here. funds
have been raised and supplies purchased here,
many flibusteriDg expeditions have been fitted
out here, and the United States has been made
an important base Of operations against Spain
All that may be granted. and this also that
American popular sentiment has been and Is
overwhelmingly and outspokenly against Spain
and for the Cubans. So It is not difficult to see
how the Spanards have come TO have a special
grudge against this country. and to regard an
American In Cuba and especially naturaliZed
American OF Cuban origin. as person to whom
only bitter enmty is due. Nevertheless such
an attitude on the part Of Spain must be deemed
unwarranted and unjust. For the Government
Of the United States has been not only scrupu-
lous, but exceptionally jealous in maintaining
the neutrality laws and in discharging all its
friendly obligations to Spain, both in letter and
In spirit. 1t has gone far out Of its way in op-
position to the sentiments OF its own constitu-
ents, In discouraglng and checking flibusterng
enterprises 1t has this very week secured the
infection Of heavy penalty Of Imprisonment
upon natlvr-born American citizen for COM
plcity with such an enterprise. in no spirit Of
mere Boosting. 1t may truly be said that the at
titude of this Government toward Spain during
the last two years has been an unsurpassed
model Of fairness. forbearance and generosity
In such circumstances. not only justice but even
selfish interest requires Spain to treat Americans
with scrupulous justice, If not with extreme
clemency.
The result Of the adoption Of such policy as
n now announced must be to allay much Of the
hard feeling toward Spain which has grown up