The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-15

unable to subdue: many American citizens
s We're imprisoned and our commerce with the
authorities were vigilant in the apprehen-
sion of filibustering expeditions which were
being organized on our shores. Weyler was
captain general of the island and in the
name of war had entered upon system of
determination. had violated every recog-
nized code of civilized warfare. and was
fast bringing the island and its people to
destruction.
ADMINISTRATION ACTION.
ALTHOUGH confronted with questions of
grave and serious moment at home, the adj
ministration speedily addressed itself to the
Cuban problem, which has vexed our
diplomacy and disturbed our tranquility
for so many years. For many months the
chief executive. upon whom rests, under
the Constitution, the conduct OF our
foreign affairs. has been attempting to
solve the Cuban problem peacefully and
honorably. He has proceeded to its con-
sideration with a broad and sympathetic
craftsmanship and with a determination to
enforce all the just demands we could make
upon the Spanish authority and with plIr-
pose of defending i'm the fullest degree the
national honor. The task impoSed has been
grave and difficult one, and he has dis
charged IT in a manner to challenge the
admiration of his contemporaries. and in
my opinion, 10 win the approval of dispas-
sionate history. His policy was an open
one. known to the world: it was peace with
honor above and beyond all else and war
with honor only as the last dread emer
gency. Ii war was to come ii must come
at such time as we would be able to meet
IT and in such manner as the whole world
would approve. He truly comprehended the
resources and patriotism of our people and
well knew that but one result would follow
an appeal to the sword. He also knew that
nothing so became the mighty power OF a
great people as its sparing use.
Much has been accomplished by the
executive. Spanish prisons which contained
many American citizens have been opened
and no American is i'm prison on Spanish
soil. The rule of Weyler was closed by his
withdrawal at the demand of this govern
ment. His orders whereby noncombatants
were driven from their fields and homes
into cities and villages to starve and die
come too late. Upwards of 100000 inoffensive
citizens who never struck blow at Span
ish authority have perished-a harvest of
death which only Spain could reap. Thou
sands of others have been brought to the
verge of destruction and are incapable of
either returning to their desolated homes
or existing until their crops could be grown
IL they were able to return. Through the
appeals of the executive the American peo-
abundance, ships have been loaded with
food for the reconcentrados and thousands
have been saved by this merciful interposi-
ton who otherwise would have been lost.
THE CASE OF THE MAINE.
Mr.. President. upon the hands Of the
Spanish people is the blood not only Of our
own brave sailors, but of over two hundred
thousand of Spain's subjects-not of our
race, it is true, but of fellow-b beings created
in the image of our Maker. This stain cam
not be washed away; it will rather the
multitudinous seas incarnadine.' Where in
all history are there crimes so atrocious?
The murders and atrocities in Cuba have
been committed as near to our shores as
Philadelphia is to New York. The continu-
ance of the starvation OF non-comoatants
as an adjunct of war. within the shadow Of
homes must result in dQhaSP
ment and decentralization. Spanish cruelty
has no synonym IN the human tongue.
But a few weeks ago the Maine, one of
our war vessels, was sent to the harbor
OF Havana upon mission Of peace: for the
protection OF American interests and not
for war Her going was but the resumption
OF old-time friendly relations. While the
noble ship rested at peace in the harbor of
Havana, while she was enjoying Spanish
hospitality, she was destroyed and most of
her brave crew persisted with her. When
the blow came she was Spain's guest, which
was strong against the deed. The explosion
aroused our countrymen and shook the
earth. It was the master tragedy of the
charged with the duty of ascertalning the
cause Of the explosion. found that II was
primarily due TO an external agency, but
did not attempt to fix the responsibility
upon any person or persons. The report
was promptly transmitted to the Spanish
government which has made answer of dis
ayowa This is not enough. Our country
has been touched as by no other sorrow
Cur countrymen, whose judgments are al
sought she awful truth desiring to acquit,
not convict: they have weighed all the evil
dence and no doubt remains in their minds
that the massacre of our sailors. wearing
the federal uniform, was the foul work of
Spanish treachery.
SPAIN is RESPONSIBLE.
THE evidence is ample to convict Spain.
No unprecedented jury in all Christendom
would fail to render verdict of guilty if
Spain were an individual resting under in
Her conduct both before and after the fact
leaves no possible shadow of doubt.
Whether the electric current was sent upon
its mission of death by Spanish decree or
by Spanish functionary in Havana we will
not stop to inquire 1t is not for US to do
so. The burden rests upon Spain. 1t was
by the direct order of her military authori-
ties that the Maine was anchored above II
powerful deadly submarine mine. Was this
accidental A splendid spot. indeed. How
cnlValrlc. what token of friendship and
esteem What graceful courtesy But it
Is said by Spain that we have not shown
that she released the fatal spark BE ii so.
IL is not nee essary. The primary cause was
original oense ' wa e hers OeyS or arc we
obliged to stop to inquire whether the Span
ish officials were negligent or exceeded their
authority. Ii such duty rests upon any
one. it does not rest upon us The finger of
suspicion pointed strongly to Spain from
the beginning. and events have strength
ened suspicion into a conviction. Her per-
functory disavowal and sympathy were hut
cruel mockery. What think you would
have been Great Brtains reply were the
tragedy transferred to her waters? The
cable would have been too slow to bear
abundant testimony of her profound sym
pathy and complete disayowal and her
purpose to hunt to the death the fendish
perpetrators. Or what think you our sister
republic, France, or the German Empire
Russia. italy or Austria. or any other of
the civilized governments with which we
are at amity. would have said or done?
They would each have avouched their sin
cere sympathy and their de avowal of any
prlvity with the act and their determinatio
10 rest only when the author of IL were
brought TO justice, and would have ac-
cepted and the world would have accepted
It. But II was left to Spain. which has not
fairly emerged from the night of the middle
ages; to Spain, which has led the world in
the invention of instruments of torture: to
SPAIN which to-day feeds its youth upon
lessons of blood and suffering, TO make re-
ply and pursue a course which is inconsist-
ent with a sense of absolute innocence.
Guilt would fence: innocence would frankly
dtsavow and lead in the search for those
who did the deed. Innocene would show
the blow was struck at both, and would
rest only when the authors of il We're
brought to justice Those who know best
the Spanish character and the present
frenzy of the Spanish mind are most con-
WINGED of Spanish guilt. TO them no doubt
remains Sir. the ghosts of the Maine will
rot down. they heckon us on. Would that
they could tell the secrets of their prison
house. Then we woul1 know now. sleeping,
the Spanish serpent stung them.
For this grave act Spain must make due
amends. If il be that the guilt of Spain for
this crime cannot be fixed hy the fair an
alysls of fact and law. yet she will not be
held blameless from moral standpoint. If