The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-08

The request of the Spanish government
for the recall of General Lee and for the
substitution of merchant vessels to carry
American relief to cuba was promptly
and properly declined. Everything de-
pends upon what lies behind this request.
If Spain wants and means war, then war
will come. But unless Spain Is mad
enough and fatuous enough to provoke a
conflict In which crushing defeat and the
complete loss of cuba are inevitable, then
even today.s striking developments and
quick movements do not necessarily in
volve ar.
Washington is stirred by this Spanish ac-
ton; the country will be deeply moved by
IT; but the coolest and most serene man
In all the land is the president. 1t Is not
the serenity of passive and unconscious
disposition. but full of reflection, of clear
provision, of adequate realization and #
fixed purpose He will not shrink from
any responsibility: he will not hesitate to
accept any issue that must be accepted;
but he will see that the fault clearly rests
where 1t justly belongs. Everything for
the nations honor and defense nothing
for aggression or passion. The president
stands today where he has stood from the
beginning. He is prepared for any emer-
gency, he will dauntlessly do all that the
nations security requires; he will be equal
to the immediate issue of the hour and
to the larger issue of humanity; but he
will not be stampeded; he will not be rat
tied: he will avert war If war can be
averted without the sacrifice of honor or
safety; but he will resolutely meet this or
any other call.
The question of the Maine and the ques-
ton of Cuba are entirely distinct and sep
arate. They are not to be confused or
complicated. The question of the Maine
must first be solved, and the broader Is
sue of the Cuban struggle is completely
ASSOCIATED with 1t, except as IL might
possibly become interviewer in some pro-
cess of adjustment growing out of the for
mer. Everything concerning the Maine
still waits on the report of the court OF in
quiry. The belief that the explosion orig
mated in an external cause is steadily
Strengthening; but unless that involves
the completely of the Spanish authorities,
which nobody believes it still leaves the
way open to a peaceful solution. A judg"
ment of external cause would impose
upon our government the duty of clear
representation and firm attitude which,
we may be sure, would be unhesitatingly
accepted. But unless the Spanish govern
ment seeks a conflict, which Is Incredible
or unless 1t shall be powerless before its
own populace, which is a possible danger.
such q verdict followed by such action
would still be far from involving a collis-
before the last alternative of war can
come, and that alternative can only come
when one of the parties iS either bent
upon war abroad or helpless at home.
The United States Is neither helpless nor
bent upon war. 1t Is strong enough not
to be rash and great enough not to be un-
just.
While the immediate question of the
Maine is at the front the larger question
of Cuba's fate remains in allegiance. But
II is not forgotten and canEot be forgot
ten so long as starvation stalks the hap
less island. Tho American people cannot
be deaf to the voice of humanity and tho
American government is as sensitive to
its appeals as Is the country. No presi-
dent was ever closer to the people thar
President Mckinley, and no one who
knows his great. generous nature needs
to be told that his true heart throbs with
sympathy for the hurt and the bleeding
and the struggling at our own door, But
he is placed where he must consider all
questions and all interests, and where es-
pecially he must determine methods. The
ultimate responsibility comes on him and
no is answerable not merely to the i'm
pulse of the moment, but to the cooler de-
liberation of the future and to the final
tribunal of right. Sentiment can point TO
the end but judgment and accountability
must find the way. The one thing that is
certain is that the government will in its
own way and in it's own time deal with
the Cuban problem and that it will meet
the Just expectations of the American
people.
The president has not wavered or tenn
porized. He began with action and he
has deliberately but steadily moved for
ard Every American prisoner was re-
| leased. The rights of American citizens
were respected. Weyler was removed.
Tho call for a liberal policy was at least
Cstensibly answered. Autonomy was Of
| fered. IL not accepted. Relief was opened
! These measures had fair trial, and just
| as the trial had gone far enough to make
/ it clear that they were unaVailing and
that the next step must come, the destruc-
| tion of the Maine blotted out every other
| question of the hour But the duty re-
mains and the president, following mis-
| own pathway, will move on.
o.
The president and congress will be in
| fun accord. All realize that when we
| front outward and face the nations we
| cannot have an executive policy and a
| legislative policy. The president and con-
| gress will go together because the presi-
| dent respects congress and congress will
see that the president Is right. Congress
| is already moving to the quick support of
| the president, and today the country will
| stand as one man behind him.