The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-04-14

lust and honorable to all interests concern
ed The spirit of all cur acts hitherto has
been an earnest, unselfish desire for peace
and prosperity in Cuba, untaTnished by
differences between Us and Spain and un-
stained by the blood oi American citizens.
The forcible intervention OF the United
States as a neutral, 10 stop the war, accord
ing To the large dictates q humanity and
following many historical precedents where
neigIaboTing states have interfered TO check
the hopeless sacrifices of lie by lnterne-
cine conflicts beyond their borders, Is
iustifiable on rational grounds. 1T involves,
however, hostile ccnstraiDt upon both tne
parties TO the contest, as well 10 enforce a
truce as 20 guioe the eventual settlement.
The grounds for such intervention may
be briefly summarized as follows:
First In the cause of humanity and to
prt an end TO the barbarities, blCcdShed,
starvation and horrible miseries now exist
ing there, and which the parties TO the con-
hict are either unable or unwilling 10 stop
or mitigate. IL IS no answer TO say tins Is
all in another country, belonging to an
other nation, and is, therefore, none OF our
business.
Il is specifically our duty, for it is right
al our door.
Second We owe IL TO our citizens in Cuba
TO aTsrd them that protection and indem-
nity for life and property which no Govern
ment there can or viii afford, and to that
end 10 Terminate the conditions that de-
prive them of legal protection.
Third. The right TO intervene may be
justified by the very serious injury TO the
commerce, trade and business OF our peo-
pie and by the wanton destruction Of
proreriy and devastation of the island
Fourth, ans which is of the utmost i'm
pOrtance. The present condition of af-
fairs IN Cuba - q constant menace TO our
peace, and entails upon this Government
an enormous expense. With such a con-
fiict waged for years In an island so near
US and with which our people have such
trade and business relaiIonS-When the
lives ard liberty Of our citizens are in con
stant danger ard their property destroyed
and themselves ruined-Rnere our trad
ing vessels are liable TO seizure and are
seized at our very door by warslips of a
foreign nation, the expeditions of filibuster-
ing that We are pOwerless 10 prevent alto
gcther, ard the irritating questions and
entangiemcnts thus arIsing-ail these and
Others that ] need not mention, with the
resulting strained relations are a constant
merace 10 cur peace and compel US To
keep IN a semi war footing with A nation
with which we are at peace
DESTRUCTION or THE MAINE.
The President deals with the matter Of
the destruction of the Maine thus
These clements of danger and disorder
already pointed oEt have been sirikinply
illustrated by a tragic event which has
deeply and Justly moved the American
people have already transmitted 10 Con
gress the report of the Naval Court of In
curry on the destruction of The Battleship
Maine IN the Harbor of Havana during
the night of the 18th cf February. The
destruction of that noble vessel has filled
the National heart with inexpressible hor-
ror. Two hundred and fiity-cicht brave
sailors and marines and tgo officers of our
Navy, reposing ia the iancied security of
a friendly harbor, have been hurled TO
death, grief and want brought TO their
homes, and SORROW TO the Nation.
The Naval Court OF Inquiry, which i, is
needless TO say commands the unqualified
confidence Of the Government, was unani-
NOUS an its conclusion that the destruc-
ton of the Maine was caused by an ex-
terror explosion, that Of submarine mine.