The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-12-29
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The action of Blanco, the Spanish gov
ernor general of Cuba, In calling upon
Consul General Lee and requesting him
to iutercede in behalf of the starving re-
concentrates, and the suspension by
Spain of customs duties to permit relief
TO enter free from the United States, Is
practical admission that the Spanish
authorities are unequal to the task of
prosecuting the humane policy that was
so loudly heralded, and which Spain
thought she could carry out without the
assistance OF the hated Americans. 1t
Is more. Ii is an acknowledgment that
the United States government has a
right to intervene in behalf of humanity.
II is a virtual notification that Spain is
willing to receive the good offices OF this
country in establishment Of peace in
Cuba. This is Il concession that every
observing person felt the Spanish gov
eminent would be forced to make sooner
or later.
1t is very apparent that the only thing
which prevents the present ministry Ia
Madrid from asking the United States
20 solve the problem, which has now
come to a criminal stage In Cuba, is the
uncertainty as to the reception of such a
course by the Spanish people Could 1t
be certain that the sentiment in Spain
would sustain such back-down from
the original arrogant position, 1t Is be-
lleved the sagas,a government would
make this proposition to our govern
ment and settle the whole matter.
Here is the difficulty confronting sa-
gasta. A course which would be so radl-
cal departure from the announced poll
ey of Cancellation might be fraught with
dire results and shake the very throne OF
Spain. Judging from the tone OF the
Spanish press and the demonstrations by
the public against this country, 1t is
probable that course which would be
an admission Of the lmpotency of the
Spanish authorities to cope with the
situation In Cuba with regard to the
suffering among the reconcentrados
. would be the signal for storm to burst
In the meantime, the President Of the
United States, we are informed, has APP
preached the stage of actual Intervention
in undertaking the work of relief, and
now that It IS known that the assistance
of the people of this country has been in
ylted, the response from every quarter
will be prompt and substantial! A uni
versal movement Is shaping already for
the relief of the suffering and the starry
ing people on the stricken island, and
the great work in the name of humanity
and charity has already begun.
This work, of course, has no direct
connection witch any desire to interfere
with the effort OF the Spanish govern
ment to carry out It's plan of autonomy
and home rule, which, as announced, is
70 be given a fair opportunity to prove
It's effectiveness. II isssImply a humane
Intervention to clothe the naked, to feed
The starving and to aid the suffering ones
who have been the victims of the burtalI-
" Of the Spanish conduct Of the war up
tdthe time the test of the new policy was
inaugurated. If, after fair trial this
policy fails, or Is not carried out in good
faith, then Intervention of a different
kind viii be in order, and will I'M
doubtedly be applied