The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-04-11

hnotty fTobiem Ontsiuo OF tho Mh'uo
Diiss,sr--If Spain b. Found Re,ponsibls
for that Horror, that In Itself, Would
be Cause for War. Fl
specia, Correspondence.
Y WASHINGTON, D. c., April 1o.---The
1ntelllscncer correspondent saw scna-
tor Elklns at his residence this morn.
Ing and stated to him that he wanted to
know for the information OF West Yir-
ginians, what he thought was the sit
uation to-day, whether We should have
peace or war?
The senator replied: EFT looks like
war, but sincerely hope Il may be
averted. II we can gain our ends and
preserve peace with honor. 1t is a
thousand times better than going to
war. To my mind war Is terrible, while
peace brings in Its train blessings OF
every kind"
Senator, have you said anything on
this question In the senator" he was
asked. i5
"Yes; IN the debate last year stated
distinctly In the senate that on the Gu
ban question. I was willing to be gov
erned by. the Republican platform: that
! favored securing peace on the island,
protection TO life and property, putting
an end to hostilltles and securing the
independence of Cuba. 1 have been
working constantly to these ends, espe-
cially during the last two weeks, but on
the lines OF peace. All must admit that
II these things can be obtained through
peaceful means 1t is better than gaining
them by war"
Senator, 1t is said you do not now
favor the recognition OF the independ-
ence OF Cuba 5i
Not In Favor of Recognition.
.I do not. II It compels Us to so to
war. II the cubans can win their in
dependence. sincerely wish they may,
but do not want the United States to
go war merely 70 secure the inde-
peadence OF Cuba. In the first place,
considering that the Cubans do not oc-
cupr any OF the seaport towns, and
cannot take them unless they can se-
cure navy, which is impossible, / do
not see how they can OF themselves ex-
pei the Spanlards. To recognize their
independence under these circum-
stances would be a dangerous prece-
dent It would be denying the doctrine
we laid down ourselves during our civil
war, that foreign nations should not
recognize the Independence of the
south. We cl:imed then that the re-
beilion was domestic affair and con-
cerned only the United States, and that
( it we were left alone 1t would be sub
dued. Now. It Is admitted that the
claims OF the south for independence
were much greater than those OF Cuba:
the war In Cuba has lasted only three
years. while the war with the south
lasted four; the south not only had n
capital, a well-organiZed government, a
Congress. and occupied and exercised
jurlydictIon over one-th!rd OF the re-
public. but, In addition to this, she had
armies and fought battles equal Z to
any IN history. The recognition OF Cuba
would be dangerous precedent, one
that would encourage the disintegration
OF governments. The United States
did not gain her independence until ev-
cry British soldier on our soil was a
prisoner, Texas did not gain Its lnde-
pendence until It expelled all Mexicans
from Its soil. and. indeed. this Is the
history OF all OF the South American
states in gaining their Independence.
Does not Oppose independence.
"Now, understand. I do not oppose
Cuba,s getting independence, but5I do
not think the United States should rec
osnize her independence and then fight
TO establish It. This would be giving
Cuba to the insurgents. while It should
be ours In the event OF war We would
not only take Cuba, but Porto Rico
and the Philippines. anu We should
keep them or sell them to help pay the
expenses OF the war. After We eSpell-
ed the Spaniards from Cuba, II We felt
the Insurgents were entitled TO the is-
land and would bear portion OF the
expense OF the war, We could then give
the island to them"
Senator, do you think we have q
cause of war against Spain?"' ss
Replying to this, would say that
the United States has reached the
point where the Cuban problem should
be settled, once and forever. The
United States has the right simply to
claim that for more than thirty years
Spain has been unable to give Cuba q
stable government She has been un-
able to maintain order or protect life
and property. For half OF this time
there has been state OF war on the Is
land characterized by brutality, atroc-
tiles and starvation. During these
thirty years Americans for most OF the
time have enjoyed but little or no pro-
lection to their property. Our trade and
commerce have been, during most OF
time, almost destroyed. For more than
thirty years Cuba has been q fostering
sore at our doors, 4 nuisance that has
given our people trouble, anxiety and
expense, and the time Is at hand when
these things should be stopped. The III
ability OF Spain to govern the island
and protect property has gone on until
It has eliminated In the destruction of
the battleshIp Maine which Spain eth
er had not the power to prevent, or did
not prevent" sft
p Solution of tile Problem.
".rhcn, what,is your solution OF tho
prohlem7"
My solution would be for the Presl-
dent and Congress to say firmly to
Spain that all these things should come
to an end at once, through peaccable
means. II possible. II not, the United
States will intervene by force to give to
the. people OF Cuba a stable government.
one that would insure law, order and
protection to life and property and
protection To- commerce. I think Prcsl-t
dent Mckinley will work out these re.
suits, and he should 'be sustained