The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-12
No Cause for War

I am sorry tina we are drifting into n
war for which We ave no t~usuhable
reason. So far as the Maine incident is
concerned it furnishes no ground for 4
declaration OF war on our part, because
by the report OF our own board OF in
curry. there is no imputation OF Spanish
responsibility. The presidents actions
have been wise and sound. he has re-
ported the findings OF our court to spain
and now IL is our honorable business to
wait and see what Spain has 10 say.
II respect to the Cuban question: SO
far as any facts are stated. no ground
Is furnished for our beginning a war, Tor.
within the time that has elapsed, the
fact that the Spanish government has
ill-treated the reconcentradocS
would not yet justify a nation in going
TO war with her. Instances have occurred
over and over again OF similar evils in
the operations OF governments, When
other governments felt they had no right
forcibly TO interfere. In this particular
instance, moreover. everybody ought 10
see that. IL we went TO war on the score
of the ill-treatment OF the re|concehtra-
does. the effect would be to deprive them
of the assistance that we are now giving
them with the consent OF Spain, and
would be followed by the great MAORI
ty of them starving to death: for no sane
man can suppose that we can get posses
sion of Cuba in time 10 extend reIlet 10
them. Therefore. 1t seems to me that
the unklndeSt tnlnS we can 90 10 th'H'
poor sufferers is to stop giving them ald.
and at this present time begin to nght
for them. to say nothing or the losses
of life and limb. and consequent misery
inflicted on our own people, and 10 say
nothing of the climate conditions that.
in case of war now brought on by the
United States, would, in all probability,
destroy more human lives of our own
citizens, both in Cuba and the United
states. from yellow fever than a year
of active hostilities.
The interference with our trade and
material interests in Cuba. consequent
on the disturbed condition Of the island.
Is, of course, injurious. When such a
state of things shall have been continued
so long as to make II clear that the Gu
bans have established their independence
and have a government capable of main
tanning itself, then our duties VIII
change: but every government has the
right, without interference from other
governments to restore order in its own
territory, although the prolongation OF
that restoration, as we found In the time
of the civil war, may run into years and
years, without the right OF any other
government to interfere on that account.
And supposing our navy is able to con-
tend successfully with the Spanish navy.
that would not clear the seas OF Spanish
commerce-destroyerS, and our growing
m would be Interrupted and de-
stroyed and sent to other flags, but IL we
had a just cause for war, of course IL
would be our duty to undertake It. no
matter how heavily the consequences
might bear upon our commercial affairs.
There is. therefore. no ground. that I
can see. upon which the United States
would be justified either in beginning 4
war or in recognizing the independence
of Cuba. and there is no ground upon
which Spain would be justified in COM
mencing a wal against US. even II we did
recognize the independence OF Cuba.
wrong and practically injurious 10 the
Cubans, as il would be.-Ex-Senator Ed
munds in The Philadelphia Press.