Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-04
THE CASE AGAINST SPAIN
Report From the Invalid Pensions Com
mittee.
Bill 10 Encourage Enlistmenfs by
veterans Of the Late War During
the Expected Hossilities.


the bill Ito encourage eniistments by veto
rams Of the late war during the an,icipated
war with Spain" The object of this bill
Is to secure early enlistnients In the army
and navy Of the United States In case en-
listments are invited by the government
by those who are able-bodied and bore
arms on either side of the conflict in the
late civil war. In case Of war the services
of capable and experienced men are much
more valuable than those Of equal patri-
otism and valor who have not been hap
tized in the fire of battle. Recent events
rake II more than probable that consider
able additions TO our land and naval forces
will soon become necessary.
within seventy miles of our shores"
says the report. lies a beautiful and fruit
full island with a population composed of
Intelligent and liberty loving human be-
ings, entitled to be treated such. This
island is ruled by Spain and has been since
the discovery of the western continent by
Christopher Columbus Whenever the at
tention of Spain has been diverted from
this colony the people have prospered and
made rapid advancement: but no sooner
has considerable progress been made in
civilization AMI the accumulation of wealth
than the oppressive hand of the mother
country has been placed on this people and
oppression of the men and brutal and
bestial outrage of the women has followed
wfile every form of taxation has been re-
sorted to to rob the people Of the fruits
of their toll ard keep them in a condition
of abject servitude.
This oppressed people has struggled for
good government, which has been
peatedly promised but never given. A few
years ago a Cuban rebellion promising sue
cess was only subdued by pledges of re-
form, but no sooner had the rebels laid
down their arms than every promise was
broken, every assurance disregarded, and
every form OF outrage resorted to.
Barbarity of the Spanish.
I'm the struggle for liberty now in pro-
gress this people has been subjected to al
most every form Of barbarity. The men
have been treacherously murdered the fair
women and beautiful girls have been the
victims Of the lust Of brutal Spanish SOL
diers. and finally the old men, the women
and children have been herded like cattle
and then starved. 1t is stated today that
Spain now promises to turn these weak
people into the barren and desolate fields
to secure food, IL they can. If they go
now, it is to die in the open woods and
sw ramps. for food is not to be had.
Those whose words are not doubted.
and recently from the island, tell us that
haggard, starving mothers sit with their
starved and dead babies in their arms,
waiting for liberty or death, while Spanish
fends gloat over their misery. Mere boys.
who shout for liberty. are shot by Spanish
soldiers. This Is but an incident in SPANS
mode Of exterminating a people she cannot
conquer. The United States will permit
no Interference by any European power.
The time is at hand when she herself must
interfere, for true Americanism can toler-
ate no more OF this bartarity. But few
weeks since magnificent warship of the
American navy made a friendly visit to
the harbor OF Havana. She was taken in
charge by Spanish pilot. an officer OF
Spain, conducted to an anchorage but lit
tie used, and placed directly over a SUBJ
marine mine planted by Spanish officials.
av,1 To-, -.
been known to the Spanish government
THE representative of the Spanish nation
in Washington. while beguiling our execu-
tive with smiles of pretended friendship
and promises of immediate measures to end
the horrible condition of affairs In Cuba,
was writing and sending to Spain letters
abusing the loved and respected chief
magistrate Of this republic. Caught in the
act, he was requested to quit our shores.
but while he yet fingered there came the
appalling news that the Maine is blown up
and hundreds of brave and patriotic sea-
en- have been sent to the presence of their
Maker without a moments warning Spain
not only denies completely in this crime
that has no parallel in modern history, but
denies the crime itself She makes no ef-
fort to discover punish the criminal. for
she knows such effort, honestly made. will
demonstrate to the world her own cowardly
cfiminality and responsibility. Spanish Of
ficials alone had the means or knowledge
necessary to secure the explosion of that
mine beneath the Maine. Mines and pow
erful torpedoes do not float about Havana
harbor like bullheads in pond.
Spain's Hand Must BE Taken on.
ct is true that the destruction of the
Maine is but an incident of the whole trans
action, but it is an incident of such mag
nitude and horror that the civilized world
shudders at its mention. American blood
has been shed and our American homes
desolated. The feeling is widespread and
r.pix hot fhs han of Sna in he
taken from the throat of the Cubans. We
are fully aware that the foot of that cruel,
crafty, degenerate and bigoted nation has
never been planted on a foot of Gods
green earth but murder, misrule. outrage
and desolaton have followed. The United
States is the proper guardian of the rights
Of all the people of the western h hemisphere,
and is able and willing to insure a decent
regard for the rights of mankind.
I'm this struggle Cuba has really won her
independence. In open civilized warfare
she has triumphed. War Is terrible ana TO
be avoided, il possible, without sacrificing
national honor. 1t was once said, War,
pestilence ard famine are the three great
est calamities that can befall mankind
May il not be truly said that Spanish rule,
war pestilence and famine are the four
greatest caamitias that can befall man.
kind and that Spanish rule is the greatest
of all wherever tolerated? Spanish rule is
misrule Can this nation tolerate these
things? Our President insulted our navy
blown up. our MARINES murdered by Span
ish officials, our neighbors murdered, starv-
ed, outraged, and still no just cause for
armed interference? A Spanish war feet on
its way here, and still no cause for action?
Verdict of the People.
1.-The verdict of the people of this nation
has been rendered. 1t is approved by all
thinking, reasoning, civilized human be-
ings. Cubans murdered and starved on the
land and American seamen and sailors
and marines murdered on the high seas,
"Can we wonder that the men who wore
the blue and those who wore the gray in
1S81-65, and who know what war is, long
to avenge these wrongs and make Cuba
free? This bill says that they may, when
the time comes, without losing any right
they now possess. All patiently wait the
action of the executive-our trusted Presi-
dent-hoping with him that diplomacy may
win without resort to arms, but in the
meantime II is well to prepare for what
may be inevitable. for Cuba must be free.
But very few will be benefited by the
provisions of this BILL but every patriotic
citizen and every veteran, south and north,
will hail its passage with patriotic fervor
a measure of Justice. II war comes IL
will cost blood and many precious lives
will be sacrificed. but far better that men
die I'm a struggle for liberty. to advance
civilization, to overthrow tyranny, TO save
the lives Of others. than that the extermf-