New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-30

II is a notorious fact that throughout the war
the devastation OF the homes and plantations or
these inhabitants has been perpetratcd by the rebels
who are in arms. and who have eved contributions
as they had anything to respond with; II they
bellion might perhaps. with their assistance. have
succeeded. They would at least have escaped the
persecution they have suffered. whatever they
might have encountered from the Government.
INTERVENTION. ON WHICH SIDE?
It is undoubtedly true that the Spanish Govern
ment has likewise destroyed houses and planta-
lions, and driven Inhabitants from their homes, in
s as IN onr own V cy war sheridan ravaged
the Valley Of the Shenandoah ana Sherman laid
accompanncnt OF war and especially Of civil VIZ
and those who engage In II must expect its natu-
means is a ground for intervention. would feel
called upon TO interfere IN every rebellion that
the question would still remain. on which side?
The distinction between armed Intervention and
than 1t IS. The is the assertion of a beligcrent
right tho other the voluntary offer of kindness and
humanity.
WHO ARE THE REAL INSURGENTS?
Who, then are the real insurgents? They are
BODY Of men of uncertain number, who keep out
OF sight who have no capital, or abiding place or
attempt at organized government UnessS in
bandits who have been carrying on what they call
%Stare by crimes not resognzed as war In any
dustres Of the people Of the island not in arms.
with dynamite trains which contained only peace
able travellers. and numbering in cold blood a
Spanish officer bearing under flag Of truce the
Their force is made W. OF Cubans, negroes. rene
gades and adycnturers OF all from the United
of humanity to drive out the established govern
ment OF tho island the only government there IS
there, and TO turn over the population TO the
tender mercies Of such IA. band as this?
concentrados? If their voice could be heard is
it conceivable that they would desire the estab-
lshment Of 4 government in the hands of those
who have already destroyed their substance? Had
that been their desire they would long ago have
joined the rebels.
If these people suffering. as doubt they
are, whether from their misfortune or their
fault. by being thus ground between the upper
and the neither milestone let us continue 10 relieve
them as we nave begun to DO; as We sent relief to
famine stricken Ireland and charity 10 Armenia:
If that is what is meant by intervention, we shall
not differ about its proprety. But whatever their
necessity. 1t is not TO be assuaged by bloodshed.
or by CARRYING fresh calamity TO them at the
4 single million, few millions out of the
received by Spain. well as by those who need
our country on which the rsbso9 is fed Let
the bandttl who have made Cuba a desoaton
and the conflict and the crime that nave ex-
haused It vii soon como TO an end Fhe 9uman ny
humanity OF war
COwARDLY TO ATTACK WEAK SPAIN.
Another consideration should not he forgotten by
Americans who have any just pride IN their coun-
try and that Is the c1 tTs and powerful
Government upon comparatively weak ana I'M
Ia sals. NJ dGhting let us attack Power which
can defend itself If that wauld not be humanity.
It would at least be courage.
Can CUR people forget. though many OF the
nolsiest too young 10 remember, the reoellon
ago? A rebellion not carried on by band or
guerillas in the mountains. harasslng ana d's-
desire 70 ' set fPe but rebson Of many
tiguous States in favor OF which the sentiment
bSt IN
der d regularly organized government ana main
tanned by methods of legitimate warfare; yet not
necessary to put down, though in doing 1t nde-
scribable slaughter distress and destruction were
What would have been the sentiments Of our our
people If. when struggling In the taroes OF Ina, tnnt
venience to her commerce with the United states
M %nd Of ' humanity for the suffering caused by
war. had thought proper 10 interfere by lVrce:
now with her She had a much greater interest
IN peace within our borders than We nave now
in peace in hers And she could have detained.
as those who are now urging this attack upon
her decla!m. against the inhumanity or var me
duty Incumbent upon every nation which wants
to fight to interfere by force and compel tho
dction from the Southern States.
Yet it does not seem to De perceived that the
same principles Of INTERNATIONAL law apply TO us
in the present case that would have made such an
Intervention on the part OF SPAN crime, an m
vaslon and gross insult, wncn we must nave
repealed ana avenged at any cost and any hard
ship have ceased to be regarded among nations
as a country which respected ITSELF or was eht'leu
to respect from others.
COUNT WELL THE COST.
Were the proposed war necessary to our Just
rights, should not count the cost. When seen
to oe unnecessary IL becomes rcar cna' NAV veil
enough be given 10 the consequences TO ourselves
In the first place, n arrangement OF business;
now Just oesinnns to emerge from from long ana
lepi industry
that belongs time OF peace. probable de-
Ing It on to a silver basis with all the Ills which
tina. misfortune would bring in its train. Against
this the country rose up IN the last Presidential
election by a tremendous effort
Is the success then so hardly obtained now to be
needessly thrown away? An enormous eXpend-
ture from a treasury whose expenses already ex-
coed It's income by moro than SyQcoeo a year; IN
definite millions a year be added 10 the pension
list already In It's saturnalia OF fraud and extrava-
the sGse n9 the Wbn of 9e SGsn
for II? And what have We 20 gain for 1t in return
would be trifing IN comparison with that which We
should nnict upon ourselves In tho present condl-
ton OF our affairs do we owe no duty to our own
cities that numoerlcss army unemployed because
business Is checked and parayzed by these con-
tinual alarms?
CUBA LIBRE. WHAT NEXT
Are there not thousands OF young men. hopeful
ard earnest. who struggling 10 establish or
ma!ntsin come honest business that war would
overturn and destroy? Is there not charity which
Ana when the Spanish Government is expelled
from Cuba then what next? The annexation OF
that island TO tho United States with It's population
two thirds white men alien TO us in their hi"
Ia ng1Iage and traditions and one-thrd negroes. OF
whom It might be supposed We have already
enough: the STAND cut up into States TO become a
sampin ground for professional and corrupt poll
ucisns furnishing further members 10 the United
States Senate OF the sort that may be expected and
20 give. perhaps, a casting vote In our Presldcn-
tai elections.
avoided knows little OF the influences and tho
methods OF our legislation, and little OF the
that helped 70 set on foot this cry for war
THOSE WHOM WAR PROFITS
There Is undoubtedly among consderabls
party numerically who are In favor or war with
any country upon any quarrel, because they are
eager for those emo.uments OF war with which we
have unhappy surrounded that calamity To them
would be what confagration Is 10 thieves.
1Nhnro Ill h.. do lra Ia