The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-13
NO sPOILS OF WAR.

tween this country and Spain may be
avcrted Nor should there be war even
though tho EXTREMIST wing Of the Ameri-
can jlngocs have their way here. Spain
really has nothing 20 fight absUt. She
has lost her tyrannical hold OF Cuba. and
n sho has any interest I'm II hereafter
IL will be nominal only Tho insurgents
have shown that they are able TO keep
up their Instruction indefinitely and no
ono doubts their purpose to do that rather
than submit again 10 tho old Spanish
rule. The wrotched abuses which Spain
wrought in Cuba are now known 90 the
civilized world, tho insurgents have the
sympathy Of enlightened mankind every
where ana. with this condition OF things
actually existing it is absurd FOR Spain
20 suppose she can ever again pillage the
people Of the island, as she was wont to
do. Her rule there is practically ended
therefore. whether the United States in
tcrvcnc or whether they do not.
But existing conditions forbid the man
who wishes 20 keep abreast Of the march
OF events 20 close his eyes 20 the posi-
blity. even probability, OF war. When
nations come to occupy relations towards
each other as strained as those now pre-
valling between the United States and
Spain any untoward event may upset all
calculations and precipitate a collision
that might otherwise have been avoided.
and when once a gun is fred It IS impos-
sible TO say where the contagion will
spread 10. 1t is os well, therefore that
we should begin to consider what our
course shall be in case we do have war
Wo do not hear much Of the annexa-
ton OF cuba though there is some talk
about it, We hope sensible and conserva-
tive men will stamp that idea out wher-
ever 50 shows itself. 1t may be a foolish
thing for us to fight Spain TO set Cuba
free. but If we fight for that object solely
our course will have the appreciation and
sympathy of good men the world over.
They will applaud the motive that in
duces us to act though unable TO justify
the act itself But If # turns out that
of the Cubans we had a purpose TO rob
Spain as well and appropriate for our
selves all that was involved IN the con-
test. we shall fan from our high estate
and become the object Of the worlds alb
horrence and contempt for all time. There
must be no talk therefore of annexation.
II We fight it must be 10 free the Gu
bans. and when they are free we must see
to it that they do not practice upon the
Spanish residents Of Cuba those atrocities
which the Spaniards have practscd upon
them. The Cubans are terribly eXasperat-
ed. and they have reason to be. But, if We
set them free We cannot permit them 10
prolong that spectacle in Cuba which
is now shocking the entire moral sense Of
mankind We shall undertake Il very
serious and difficult task If we assume
guardianship Of Cuba until she is able
10 rule herself upon principles Of human
fly and justice But II we assume the
task we must meet it unfinchingy and
carry it through at whatever cost Of
money or trouble.
There is also some talk that one occa-
eionally hears Of Selling the island Of
Porto Rico as compensation for the de-
struction Of the Maine Under ordinary
circumstances the conqueror in war is
undoubtedly held entitled TO compensate
himself out Of the enemys territory for
the sacrifices that the war has cost him.
But if we should appropriate one acre of
Spain's territory at the end Of the war
our motives throughout would fail under
suspicion. and. instead Of coming out Of
the contest applauded by the world as n
dls.nterested examplar Of what q high
nation should do we should be sneered at
and jeered at as philanthropists who
practiced philanthropy for what there
was in IT,
II we fight. It may be that we shall
feel called upon TO free Porto Rico and
set ND a republican government there as
IN cuba. But If we NEEDLE with that island
Mt an. Jet IL be with the same disinterest-
ednoss that should characterize our con-
duct in the case of Cuba. We may have no
cause of war with Spain nevertheless If
va fight a. disinterested war for the sake
of humanity we shall have nothing to re-
proach ourselves with, although it was
"a war that we were not called upon TO
wage