Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-04-12

Chicago ST. Louis, New York. Boston. Philadelph
when the real question is whether the
community claiming recognition is or
is not independent beyond peradyen-
ture.
Nor from the standpoint of eXpedi-
ence do / think it would be wise or
prudent for this government to recog-
nize at the present time the in1epenG-
ence Of the so-called Cuban republic.
Such recognition is not. necessary in
order to enable the United States to
intervene and pacify the island. To
commit this country to the recogni-
tion of any particular government in
Cuba might subject us to embarras-
sing conditions of interest obligation
toward the organization so recognized.
In case Of Intervention, our conduct
will be subject to the approval or dis
approval of such government. We
would be required to submit to its di-
rection and to assume to it the mere
relation of friendly ally. When it
shall appear hereafter that there is
within the island government capa-
BILE of performing the duties and dis
charging the functions Of a nation,
aud having as matter of fact, the
proper forms and attributes Of nation
ality, such government can be
promptly and readily recognized and
the relations and interests Of the
Unined States with such nation ad-
justed.
There remains the alternative
forms of intervention to end the war,
each as an impartial neutrality, by
imposing a rational compromise be-
tween the contestants or as the active
ally Of the one party or the other AS
to the first, it is not to be forgotten
that during the last few months the
attitude Of the United States has
virtually been one of friendly inter
vention in many ways, each, not Of it,
self conclusive, but tending to the ex-
ertion of a potential influence
toward an ultimate pacific result, just
and honorable to all interests con-
cerned.
The spirit of all our acts hitherto
has been an earnest, unselfish desire
for peace and prosperity in Cuba, un'
tarnished by differences between the
United States andSpain and unstained
by the blood of American citizens
The forcible Intervention of United
States as ne utral power to stop the
war according to the large dictates OF
humanity and following the historical
precedents wherein the United States
has interfered to check the hopeless
sacrifice by internecine conflicts be-
yond their borders, is justitiable or
national grounds. 1t involves how
ever, hostile constraint upon both par
ties to the contest, as we'll as to en-
force truce as TO end the eventfu'
settlement. The grounds for such
intervention may be briefly summar r
lied as follows:
First-ln the cause of humanity
and to put an end to the barbarities
| bloodshed, starvation and shorrible
miseries now existing there and which
the parties to the conflict are either
unable or unwilling to stop or miti'
gate. 1t is no answer to say this is
all in another country, belonging tC
another nation, and is therefore none
OF our business. 1t is explicitly ouI
duty, for 1t is right at our door.
Second-We owe to our citizens il
Cuba TO afford them that protection
and indemnity for life and property
which no government there can or
will afford, and 20 that end terminate
the conditions that deprive them ol
legal projection.
Third-The right TO intervene may
be justified by the very serious injury
to the commerce, trade and busines:
nf our people and by the wantUn de.
struction of property and devastation
of the island.
Fourth-And which is Of foremost
importance, the condition of affairs IL
Cuba is a constant menace to oul
peace, and entails upon this govern
ment enormous expense. With such q
conflict waged for years in an island
so near US and with which our people
haYe such trade and business relations
when the lives and liberty Of oul
citizens are in constant danger, theil
property destroyed and themselves
ruined-when our trading vessels are
liable to seizure aud are seized at oul
very door by warships OF a foreigI
nation, the expedi tions of filibuster-
ing that we are pOwerless TO prevent
altogether,and the irritating,question'
and entanglements thus arlsing-al
these and Others are constant men
ace to our peace and tend to keep us
on war footing with that nation
with which we are at peace.
These elements Of danger and disor
der already pointed out have beer
strikingly illustrated by tragic even
which has deeply and justly moyeC
the American people; haYe already
transmitted To congress the report 0
the naval court Of in quiry on the de
/ GfrncfiOa Of the haftla shin Maine a