Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-03
ARGUMENT FOR CUBA.
TEN PROPOSITIONS LAID BEEoRu
THE PRESIDENT.
SENTIMENTS or THE CUBAN LEAGUE.
They Are Presented by the Secretary
of That Body-Annexatlon Of the
Island Not Desired, But "Independ.
ence Clearly Due.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., December a.
Mr.. Berkeley Baich, secretary Of the
Cuban League. appeared before President
Mckinley to-day. and presented the fol-
lowing argument in behalf OF the Cuban
insurgents:
"Mr. President.--We appear before you
In the name OF those who have cied fop
the cause of freedom In the Island Of
Cuba, and for those who are still ready to
give their lives to-day or tomorrow for
this cause; also, representing, as we
claim. a majority of the people Of the
United States who believe In that cause,
and demand that their wishes shall now
be translateb into effcient action by
their chosen representatives. Thanks to
the power. honor. and patriotism OF the
American press, the people to-day know
the essential facts of the Cuban situation.
We submit to you, therefore. these ten
propositions, for your consideration:
Il. The three wars in Cuba within thia
century are proof Of genuine movement
for the extension Of democratic princi~
pies and the attainment Of nberty from
ment.
"2. Without the indirect aid given by
this government to Spain, the patriots
would be farther advanced In their strugs
gle.
''3. Spain has lost Cuba, as far as the
present population is concerned. H. howe
ever she is permitted to continue the
cruel work Of exterminating non-coml
batants, she may possibly reconquer and
repopulato the island.
- II, with our passive aid. she unfor
tunately succeeds In doing this, when an>
other generation comes. the revolutions
will surely begin again. The governing
classes in Spain, OF all parties, have re-
sarded Cuba for 800 years as an orange
to be squeezed. They are unable to con-
slider it otherwise, and no amount oc
diplomatic effort ON our part is likely to
change their point OF view. The other
classes are ignorant. Spain has held all
her Colonies with an iron hand, until
forced 10 let go. The war OF liberation
in Venezuela lasted fifteen years. and
during the last five years OF the struggle
no quarter was given by either side.
AUTONOMY A DREAM.
IS. Autonomy is a foolish dream. II
is evident that neither side understands
il, wishes 1t, or can administer II. Ic
is proposed In order TO divert this gov<
ernment, and to gain time.
&c. A majority Of the peopl= OF this
country desire TO see free and inde-
pendent Cuban republic. An opposing
factor of great force is the money powers
1t Is a fair conclusion 10 urge that mas
jority OF our people believe that the sym>
pathy OF our government TN now has
been given to Spain. and withheld from
the republic, under the influence that
emanates from great financial interests,
usually afraid of patriotic aggressive
movement.
80. Our people have hoped for favoranla
action for Cuba from the present admin-
istration. and have patiently waited 10
give the administration time for con>
sideration Of the wisest road TO this end
Their patience is now exhausted.
49, Very few Cubans. and still fewer
people in this country. desire annexation,
but independence Is clearly due to Cuban
valor and sacrifice.
"9. The friendship of the republic or
Cuba Is worth vastly more 10 us than
that OF Spain for reasons OF business and
defence. 1t is our duty and to our own
interest to recognize the belllgerency and.
following this. the Independence
of the republic, and to conclude with II ~
defensive and offensive alliance. III this
is not compatible with n continued friend
ship with Spain, so much the worse for
Spain. If Spain attacks US we can take
care Of our own.
10. Out Of the experience of our WORK.
and great study Of over twenty years,
this league asserts that these ten pro-
positions are true. and that their righs
leads to the only action
tviiI eoiva tho pr0blefn
'And now, Mr.. President, in behais or
those whom we represent we thank yoI
for this opportunity to present their
views. We hope for such action on your
part as will bring q correct solution Wo
iesire to state that this league and oup
,ympathies have enlisted for the war;
DR. until such time rs the republic OF Cuba
shall become a fact In history"
The President said he would give tna
lrgument careful consideration.
n