The Indianapolis journal., 1898-03-26
THE FIRST OF THE BIBLE
TELLS THIS NATION IT'S PRESENT
DUTY, SAYS JUDGE BAKER.
American People Would Also Favor
Sending a Fleet to Collect In
demnity from Spain.

Judge Baker, of the Federal Court, be-
lieves there sho Id be Intervention on the
part of the United States to put an end
to the atrocities of the Spaniards in Cuba,
who have starved men, women and chill
dren to death.
Spain, through her commander general,
two years ago began devastating the ISL
and. Peaceful citizens of four provinces,
covering an area larger than half of In
diana, perhaps as large as three-fifths of
the State were turned from their homes,
their provisions and living cattle taken
from them. The Spaniards drove them to
the towns, where an embankment of earth
was thrown about them. On the top of
these embankments barbed wire was placed
and Spanish soldiers were stationed with
muskets in their hands with orders to shoot
down every man, woman or child THAI
crossed the dead line. Then Spain began
deliberately to starve these innocent, peace
full citizens to death. At the lowest esti-
mate 100000 of them perished, and another
100000 will in all probability die. That is
not war; that is hell War is a horrible
thing, but there are more horrible things.
Judge Baker read from the printed diary
of an English Cabinet minister comments
on the position of this country with re-
gard to intervening in favor of the island
of Cuba as far back as 1926 and 1927.
''You remember that in 1926 to 1880 there
were struggles in the Spanish-American
countries for freedom. In the course of that
contest there was correspondence between
England and Mexico as to what would hap
pen if the war were extended into Cuba.
The Cabinet minister wrote letter in
which he stated what Englands position
would be and also called attention to the
s..4z
pose her power to the fullest extent if a
war of devastation were to be carried on"
The Judge believes that if that were the
attitude of the United States more than
half century ago, it should be the position
now.
1.-THE important question is whether this
country wishes to be written down as hav-
ing stood by without attempting to stop
such awful conditions in country within
orr hundred miles of her shores. The
called conservatives may ask: o well,
what does it matter to us? That conun-
drum was propounded ages ago. In the cool
den. Cain, where is thy brother?' He asked.
Am my brothers keeper was the reply.
The Lord seemed to think he was"
An Associated Press dispatch showing
that the report of the court of inquiry indi-
Gated . the Maine was blown up by a hoat-
biity being located was read to the judge.
THE blowing up Of the battle ship, un-
less by the Spanish government or Spanish
ITSELF said he, but the government would
have right to demand Indemnity fer life
and property. international law requires
power visit its harbors, to exercise all pre-
cautions and vigilance necessary to the
safety of that ship. No private citizen IS
pocket. Their existence in a harbor must
have been known to the government and
everything to guard against any danger
from them should have been taken. There
were in Havana thousands of Spaniards
and Cubans who hated Americans, and who
would not hesitate to harm the battle ship.
Knowing these things the Spanish were
negligent if they failed to take every pre-
caution. There IS no doubt that the report
of the Spanish court will declare that the
blowing up of the ship was the result OF
an explosion within and that consequently
the Spanish government is not responsible.
The next step would be for the United
States to determine the amount of fndem-
nifty due, and then the question would be
as to the method OF securing II. Ihere are
two courses that might be pursued. The
question might be admitted to arbitration.
That would be as long-winded a chan
cery suit and the people of this generation
would perhaps all be dead before it were
determined. The other course would be to
follow the example of Germany and Eng
land Not so long ago there an insult
to a German citizen by Il foreign power.
A demand for 50000 was made with the
notification that it should be paid within a
given number of days The money was not
Forthcoming. A fleet of German gunhoats
were sent into the harbor and the govern
ment was notified that If the gold was not
carried aboard within three days their cap
ital would be blown up. The ships returned
with the money. England demanded, |
think, $4,000 for an insult to one of her
citizens. The money not paid. British
gunboats sailed into the harbor on the Pa
ciic, the blue jackets were landed, seized
the custom house and England proceeded
to collect the money. The question is, which
course is better
It was sugg ested to the Judge the Amer
lean people would prefer the latter course.
Yes" said the judge, II doubt not the
majority of the American people would
favor a demand for the payment of the
money in five days, and If it were not paid
would be glad to see fleet sail for the
bullion"