Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-05-28
copyright. 1851

ICopyrlgnt, lsySI
There can be no doubt from what
Uncle Sam has already so thoroughly
performed In his work of castigation of
set OF beings whose principal military
method has been to starve women and
children when not engaged In more
despicable practices that the cry OF on
to Cuba!" has met with ready acquies-
cence from the hearts of an enthusiast
tic people who have 80 unitedly upheld
him In his purposes. They are only too
willing to do more. for there is almost
universal feeling that never before in
the worlds history was there such
just cause for an aggressive movement
or more sufficient reason for stern, un-
relenting punishment.
ION to Cuba!" has been the warcry
Of the people OF the United States-the
merchant, the farmer. the miner, the
plowboy, the clerk, the soldier and the
civilian-whateyer 1t may have been in
the more reserved and diplomatic phra-
seoiogy of the government. Let us
hasten" they have said. ito end that
reign Of barbarous despotism. of cruelty
to helpless females. that butchery and
diabolism which have been in reality
condemnation OF the virility and intelli-
gence OF the great cislizing factor OF
the western hemisphere known as the
United States of America"
And the means are two-our army
and navy, our twin dogs of war; The
latter can continue to lombard and lay
in ruins the Notifications and defenses
OF the ports of entry. and under cover
OF that fire, though 1t is not always
necessary, armed bodies of men may
be landed to combat with the military
force Spain has on the island. This Is
not n necessity, because after the de-
struction OF forts and inferior defenses
grandiloquently termed castles no
military body would appear on the coast
line to obstruct the debarkation OF sol
diers so long ms n powerful fleet was
within gun range to guard the trans
portation of men to the shore.
-igain, our troops may land In shell
tered bays, as suits their purposes. far
from any frowning citadel or gloomy
fortress which is more forbidding In ex-
terior than dangerous as means of at
tack.
There is neither desire nor intention
upon the part OF our military authori-
ties to lay waste the towns or cities of
Cuba, 1t will not be done except In
such cases where 1t may be absolutely
necessary, and It is not even conjec-
tured that that will be probable. They
contain too many noncombatants,
starving Cubans and residences of for
eigners to render such a proceeding nd
visable even II the dictates of humanity
did not serve as an Intervening motive.
Then many commercial interests af-
feeling us are involved. A large por-
tion Of Cardenas belongs to Americans.
TharA n nc In a y,
immense amount of valuable property,
millions In total, throughout Cuba own
ed by native born American citizens.
Among more than hundred individ-
uais in New York city alone who have
invested money in Cuba there is one
who has expended $500, 900 In planta-
lions and sugar houses, the latter now
In ruins, though the Spanish govern
ment has kept n platoon of soldiers on
his property and charged him for their
support. This Is their pretext for in
tended future conhscation. providing
they remain masters OF the island
There are many Americans also in
Boston. Philadelphia, Chicago and else
where who have had for years large
landed investments In Cuba, which they
will not be able to reclaim until peace
shall have been declared.
The demolition of the outside defenses
renders the military occupation OF thcs.
towns and cities by United States sol
ders not only feasible. but compare.
lively easy. There will always natural
ly be some fighting. A dozen men may
attempt to defeat the advance of com.
pany or n battalion In one place, or O
regiment may charge upon brigade n,
another. The opposing forces may be
evenly matched In number of men al
some other time. bu: there will and car
be only one final result. If the Span.
iards Will continue the struggle long
enough, they will not only be decimal.
ed, but virtually extermlnated.
Our soldiers can be very effectively
landed at Guanabacoa, just east of Ha.
vana, or in the vicinity of Port An.
tonic and even farther east at Ma.
tanzas or Cardenas. as is well known
for larger base OF supplies and as M
easier method OF reaching down to tn,
gulf of Matamano. ON the southern
coast, and creating new origina
trocha that will make distinctlvely sep