Natchitoches populist., 1898-09-02
IT rs A DISGRACE.
PRoLoNGINo THE WAR FOR
BONDS AND PLUMBER,
Bx-Gov. Altgald Says That Cuba Could
Have Been Freed Long Ago by the
Taking of Havana-The President Ia
Baked by the Money Power.

next winter. What for? Why should
the administration determine In ad-
vance that it did not want to have Ha-
Vana taken and the war thus ended
until next winter, even though it could
De taken In less than a week and the
war ended at once?
Glance back moment. Last win
ter when the people demanded that
the government interfere in Cuba, the
opposition came from the bondhcld-
ing classes. Aside from the twenty
hundred million dollars of Spanish
bonds that would be affected by the
War& there were six hundred million
dollars OF bonds issued by Spain and
Occurred by the revenues of Cuba.
These bonds would become worthless
if the existing government Of the in
surgents was recognized. Emissaries
were sent to the insurgent leaders to
see II they would accept peace on con-
dition OF recognizing or in some way
securing these six hundred million OF
bonds. But the patriots replied that
anasmuch as the independence of the
Island was being purchased with the
blood of the Cuban people, they would
not mortgage the future Of their chill
dren for the benefit OF these bond
holders. A noble answer.
But when this answer was heard q
Herce cry went up at Washington
against recognizing the existing gov
eminent Of the Insurgents. AS the
country pressed for action, the corrup-
tionists who worked in the interest Of
these bonds began to shout: "You may
interfere, but you must not recognize
the present government of the IN
surgents."
This was the policy the administra-
ton adopted. The holders of these
worthless bonds needed time in which
to create a new government in Cuba
with which they could have an UNDER
standing that, under one pretext or an
other, worthless claims to the extent of
hundreds Of millions would be made a
debt OF Cuba To take Havana at once
and end the war would spoil this
scheme, therefore the war must be
pr0tracted until next winter, though 1t
cost thousands of lives and millions Of
treasure.
2. There is horde of men who,
through contracts and various schemes
In and out of congress, are making vast
fortunes out of this war. They are op-
posed to bringing 1t to close. AS a
rule they belong to the class that
helped to raise the vast corruption fund
to debauch elections. Consequently
they are influential with the powers
that be.
8. The people who made the Nc
Kinley administration, hunger and
thirst for government bonds. These
are always source of great profit.
They want the war prolonged In order
that mere bonds may be issued.
4. The Republican senate Of Ohio
has sent memorial to the senate OF
the United States, charging that Mark
Hanna had secured his election to the
latter body by bribery and corruption,
and 1t asks that he be unEeated as
being unfit to represent the state OF
Ohio.
The war diverts attention from these
facts, and besides enables Hanna to
secure appointments for so many rich
mems sons and so many politicians,
and to curry favor with so many pow
erful influences, that In the end ne can
have the charges smothered ND. He
does not want this war to end. The
glorious achievements Of Dewey were
won because he was free from Wash
ington's influence.
5. There are slippery politicians sur
rounding the administration who as
sure it, II the war is protracted, they
can easily carry the fall elections; that
in a war people will vote with the
government. These men care nothing
for the vast expense and great loss oil
life which are involved. They are
ready to lower the high purpose of this
war to the low plane of political
trick But they are liable to have d
rude awakening. Every time a mother
sheds tear over her absent boy
every time father thinks of his son
who is unnecessarily kept away, there
viii grow a want of confidence in both
the capacity and sincerity Of the Nc.
Kinley administration. and every time
newmade grave Is filed with sol.
dIer boy there will be erected a stand
Ing protest against a policy that was
criminal In It's inception and Is dam
nable in It's operations. II the admin
istration persists in purposely 'protract
ing this war for the benefit of corrup
tionists and political hyenas, then the
frosts OF November will be loaded with
surprises. John P. Altgeld in Demo
cratic Magazine