The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-05-20
ARE WE JUSTIFIED
in FIGHTING SPAIN?
The Answer Given by Canada's Leading
journal Is That We Are.
From the Toronto Globe.

From the Toronto Globe.
1t is well enough to talk about neu-
trality, and undoubtedly Canada must
as a country be scrupulous during the
present phase OF the Spanish-Americar
struggle TO discharge her international
duties with even-handed justice to both
belligerents. But hearts are not bound
by neutrality proclamations, nnd our
sympathies must espouse one cause or
the other. 1t is an ignohle part 20
stand untouched beside a struggle of
this sort, waged by near ncighbOrs. ex-
periencing no emotion beyond curiosi"
ty, manifesting no interest beyond cold
or gibing criticism. Ii the United States
are guilty of uncalled for aggression
let us say 50, let us avow our wish to
see Spain win, let us applaud Spain's
victories a nd deplore her losses. Il we
believe the United States to he in the
right let us say so, and Oh 'ec her On.
Impartiality does not mean an attitude
OF perpetual stradding of the fence, uf
never supporting any man or any cause
unreservedly, of never taking up an
attitude of decided condemnation of a
wrong. Rather does it mean a fair
minded balancing of circumstances and
arguments, of making.-.r ones mind
that on the whole one side or the other
is right, and of then giving to that
side a support worth having. There is
a great struggle in progress to the
south of us. on which side, Cana
dians?
The cause of the trouble is Cuba
Let US for a moment look at her case.
Cuba is an island perhaps a little
larger than the older setted portion of
Ontario. Its population, about 100000
is rather smaller, and vastly poorer.
How is it governed? Senor du Bose
dropped some remarks about its hav-
ing a constitution as liberal as that Of
Canada. 1t has been owned by Spain
since the early days of the sixteenth
century, and for a considerable por-
tion of the present century the people
have been in a condition of revolt. For
ten or eleven years up to 1895 the sys-
tenn of government was administration
by governor general, appointed by
the Spanish government. This COVER
nor general was assisted by council
of administration, which was (a) ap-
pointed by the Spanish crown, and Cb)
unable to do more than offer advice.
"The governor general has supreme
is only consulted on a few unimport-
ant matters" says the Statesman's
Year Book for 1898. There were six
provincial councils, which were admin
istered by Spaniards, not native
Cubans. The colony sent TO the Span
ish cortes sixteen senator's and thirty
members Of congress. The senators
were partially elective, partially nOmi-
mated by certain corporations, such as
the University of Havana. The depu-
ties were elected. To have a vote a
man had to pay 125 pesetas a year in
taxes, i. e., about $24 year. A little
reflection will show how high such
franchise is. AS a matter of fact, the
average Cuban paid about one-seventh
of this sum in taxes. In 1895, troubles
in the island led to the passage OF q
reform bill through the Spanish cor
tes, which provided for a species of
home rule. Cuba was not to have
centralized parliament, but the exist
ing six provincial councils were to be
given largely increased legislative pow
ers in regard to commerce, communi-
cations, public works, immigration and
the like. The Central Executive cOun-
Gil was to be retained, but to be con-
trolled by another body having power
to dissolve it, composed Of the high
est dgntaries of the colony, /. e.,
Spaniards.
This did not satisfy the Cuban de-
mands, and ten days after its passage
the rebellion broke out. In December,
1897, when General Weyler had failed
and the government was in a desper-
ate plight, a scheme of autonomy was
proclaimed. This introduced sweep
ing change, giving universal suffrage
and purpOrting to grant TO Cuba as
full commercial and legislative inde-
pendence as that enjoyed by Canada.
But it contained at least one fatal re-
serVation. The Cuban senate was to
be composed OF thirty-five members,
seventeen appointed by the crown,
eighteen elected. The appointing pow
er rested not in the Cuban premier and
cabinet but in the governor general,
the representative OF Spain. Then the
goVernor-general retained the COM
mand of the forces, and certain imper-
ial taxes had to be paid, the Cuban
parliament being granted the right to
distribute the taxation TO raise these
sums as it choose. Very far this from
the self-government granted to Cam
ada. In any case this proposal was
made at the moment when the balance
in singularly brutal and exasperating
war was beginning to incline on the
side Of the insurgents, 1t was wrung
at swords point from a reluctant and
angry donor.
So much for the system OF aio,lnis-
tratiOn, How did this government Of
Spaniards manage the affairs of the
people of Cuba? In the iirst ;Iace,
how would the people Of Ontario like
to have a debt of $3.50 900, 900 and to be
paying S9.0O0000 a year IN interest
charges alone? We are accustomed TO
pity Quebec with her debt of rather
over one-tenth of that of Cuba; and
the Cubans have had no voice in the
piling up of this debt Again how
would the people of Ontario like to
have to raise revenue of about S24,-
NNL IL Il. Il l.