The Press., 1898-05-05
THE WAR WITH SPAIN.

tween the United States and Spain have actually begun, 1t may be we'll for us to ask what 1t Is all about, and also what should be the duty of American citizens in this condition of affairs. It must be remem bered that this government, thro' President Cleveland, quite plainly inti- mated to Spain that she must soon settle the troubles in Cuba. One of the meas ures that President Mckinley has been most interested in since his inauguration has been the settlement of the same Ques- ton. With increasing: urgency, from month to month, he has been asking Spain to fix a time when she would have the island of Cuba pacified, giving her to understand that he would feel himself obliged to intervene if this was not done quite soon. His pressure upon the Span ish government, the assembling of 8 pow erful fleet at Key West in consequence of the destruction of the Maine, the com- ing into power of a liberal ministry in Spain, has forced her to adopt one liberal measure after another for the pacifcation of Cuba, until little while ago she pro- claimed cessation of hostilities In that island. It is probable that If matters had been left in the presidents hands, to be decided by the slower, but equally as sure, methods of diplomacy, the trouble between Cuba and Spain might have been settled without armed intervention on our part. For it must not be forgotten that the president was decided that war be- tween Spain and Cuba must stop. But congress hurried him faster than he want ed to go. It was led to do|so by some in the east who thought the president was too slow, and by 6 very strong public sen- timent in the west for quick and, If need be, warlike action.
 The reasons for this strong public gen. timent are found in the underlying feeling, that Is in the breast of every American citizen, of deep sympathy with every peo- pie who are struggling for liberty aud self government. The natural sympathy of Spain was with the insurgents and against Spain. Then the cruel results of Gen. Weyler's measure of gathering the people from those farms and villages which were In the somewhat neutral zones between the contending forces, burning the standing crops and the houses, con- and making no provisions for their food and shelter, thereby condemning them to untold horrors and to slow starvation, this has so stirred the feelings of the American people and the heart of the president that they could endure it no longer. The sentiments out of which the war sprung are most honorable to Amer iEca. 7
 1 The war will also be, waged on our part with absolute unselhshuess. Leaving out of the account those who want war any how, the selfish contractors whose only desire is to make money out of the gov ernment's necessities, ahdthe small poll. ticians who advocate war because they think 1t may help their political fortunes and these are the minority of our cit izens-America wages the war on very high principles. She has much to lose and nothing to gain. She has no selfish designs against the island, she does not want 1t herself, she will spend vast sums of money, will lose many valuable lives, will bring upon herself the many heavy and unknown troubles in settling affaiIs in Cuba after Spain is driven out, and can gain no glory in the conflict, flor there is no glory to robust young giant in kicking poor old cripple" She wages war not for glory, but for the unselfish purpose of bringing peace to a distracted neighboring country, and joy and com. fort to ruined homes.
 The duty of American citizens then is to hold fast to ihis unselflsh and most honorable sentiment, not to allow the corruption and self-seeking that ever ac. company war to drive out this seud. ment. Thus can she gain honor in the only way it can be obtained in this con. flict. Then to sustain the government ir its endeavors to brIng peace to our neigh. bor, and to sustain the: president in his efforts to have peace as soon as the pur. poses for which the war is being waged are attained. T. c. DRULEY.