The herald., 1898-04-20

would be among the first steps to bt
taken. Suppose the present instrument
is shown to be satisfactory to the people
and is again ratified-what then? II
does not recognize Spains authority on
the island, and is silent as to the enor-
nous debt which Spain has created In
the prosecution of the war, and for the
payment of which Cuban revenues are
[ pledged. VIII the president withdraw
the troops and permit the government
thus organized to assume full control?
Assuming that he will adopt this
course and shall make no effort to sad
die the Spanish war debt upon the Cuban
people, but shall simply bless them and
leave them to work out their own destiny
what then?
VIII such an exhibition Of disinterest-
ed philanthropy be lost upon the Cuban
people? Will they not speedily conclude
that their greatest safety and their great
est prosperity and their greatest happi-
ness, is involved in and dependent upon
a close alliance with power so puissant
and so generous and humane? In word,
will not the annexation sentiment soon
sweep the island?
But assuming, on the other hand,
that the president, employing the broad
discretion placed in his hands, shall, after
the expulsion of the Spaniards, say to the
Cubans: "Once federal troops are with
drawn from the island you will again be
at the mercy of Spain, or any other power
that may choose to assail you. There
will be no safety here until this enormous
debt is provided for Spain is not able to
assume it, had she the disposition. If
you will agree to share the responsibility
for a portion of it, and will pledge the
revenues of the island to its payment,
Spain will the sooner become reconciled
to the loss of her sovereignty, will be less
inclined to make another struggle to re-
gain it, and this method of pacification
will extend to all other holders of Spanish
war bonds. Peace lies only in this direc-
tion."
What then?
VIII the people of the United States
justify the use of the power placed in
the hands of the president for such
purpose-the coercion of the Cuban peo-
Pile into the assumption of even modl-
cum of debt created by their oppressors
in the purchase of shot and shell to fire at
them? And if the Cubans shall without
protest submit to such coercion at the
hands of their redeemers, will it not at
the same time embitter them against the
United States, and metamorphose them
into exceedingly disagreeable neighbors? :?
For the fact must not be lost sight Of
that the assumption of. that portion Of
the Spanish debt for which Cuban reve-
nues are pledged would place a burden
upon the impoverished people Of the
island from which they might never hope
to escape. 1t would be equivalent to a
per capita debt of S400, a burden that
would be simply uncomfortable. The pres
ent population of Cuba is probably not
in excess of 10000 or about equal to
only about one-third that of this state,
about equal to the area of Southern CAL
ifornia. The earning capacity of A
| large proportion of its people is limited
| to bread-winning, pure and simple. To
| appreciate what this proposition means
to a people impoverished by war, and
occupying a territory reduced to a con-
dition of famine, it is only necessary for
our people to take the question home to
themselves, and ask how much of hope
they would have did a similar state Of
affairs confront them today.
But if the Cubans should rebel against
such terms-what then? Shall the army
and navy of the United States be en-
ployed to coerce them into acceptance?
Shall the guns of their deliverers from
Spanish rule be turned upon them?
Left to themselves, the Cubans will not
assume a dollar of that Indebtedness.
They should not be compelled to assume
dollar of it. 1t was against the incubus
Of Spanish debt that they rebelled three
years ago, and against which they have
since been fighting. Shall we succor
lIltlI lTOlll lilS lUEdlUUul, ana lHtIl IOTce
them to accept the yoke which Spain
has failed in placing upon their necks
Would not such attempted coercion in
deed justify European interference in
their behalf? Would not the United
States become their oppressors? Would
we not be placing ourselves in identically
the position occupied by Spain today ?
The more these things are considered,
the more significant appears the depart
ure which the United States makes in
undertaking, not only to drive the Lat
ins from our immediate shores, but in
undertaking to help the Cubans to a
stable, free and Independent govern
ment. The situation is full of possibil-
tiles, all more or less grave, all calling
for the exercise of the highest order of
craftsmanship
CALLED DOWN AGAIN