The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-01
Opinions Of Leading Citizens on
the Absorbing Topic.
WIDE SYMPATHY WITH CUBA.
The General Sentiment In L0yal 70
Humes Cousiders the Blewing In
Of the Maine Equivalent to -
Hossilisies On Seattle's Interests.

ner Of the Union. but there s probably
no other American city more legal 10 tho
flag and to all the interests Of national
honor and unity. Far removed as she
is from the seat OF disturbance in the
Cuban imoroslio with Spain. she watches
every development In the situation with
the most profound interest. Readers OF
the Post-fnteiligsncer do not read even
The tidings from the Klondike with keener
patches from Washington and Madrid.
II selfish interests governed the residents
Of this city. they might well be back
ward about declaring themselves In favor
OF an aggressive policy toward Spain at
the present critica, juncture. because the
hardly serve to promote any Of the .mme-
date commercial or financial interests Of
Seattle. Yet the representative men Of
the city do not hesitate for an instant to
declare themselves on the side OF line
OF governmental action that will protect
the suffering Cubans and insure autonomy
70 the devastated island. even though
such action would probably lead to war.
Representatives OF the st-Intelligencer
yesterday interviewed number OF men
in the city, whose names carry some
weight. and q consensus Of whose views
may well be taken to stand for the city
as whole. Prominent among these was
Mayor Humes. whose whole course has
shown that he Is not an advocate OF that
diplomatic ret!cence which some officials
. believe in practicing when It comes to q
show down OF their convictions on
grave public questions. With his usual
outspoken frankness Mayor Humes said:
Maine Disaster IN lssslt.
What do think would be the effect Of
war between this country and Spain.
Well, II might take a volume to answer
that question In detail. but I can give
words. The effect OF any combat for the
maintenance Of honor. whether individ-
ual or national. IL n my Judgment always
good and only good.
1.-THE blowing up Of the Maine IL an tn
suit OF the gravest character to our ma
| tionai honor. Judging from the report OF
+ the board Of inquiry ard from all the ev-
idence and circumstances connected with
the case. there can be no doubt whatever
that Spanish Officers were cogn.xant OF
the mine under the vessel. II seems to
me that we would be justified In treating
the blowing up Of the Maine alone as an
act deciaratory OF war on the part OF
Spain.
II do not think that any compensation
offered In the way OF indemnity by Spain
for the loss OF the Maine or OF money
mall 20 thn "a mi tcz nNA hGf ~ S1e
fortunate and noble men who lost their
lives In that terrible disaster, no matter
how liberal the amount might BE- could
in any way wipe out or atone for such an
Insult 10 American honor.
Furthermore. am most positively not
In favor OF sending supplies to the Gu
bans 80 long a. the Spanish flag floats in
any part Of the island OF Cuba. firmly
believe that the United States should Inn
mediateIy see TO II that Cuba az OF right
she ought 70 be- - free and independent
'.One other point. I see II suggested
that the independence OF Cuba may he
brought about by the payment 10 Spain
Of an Indemnity by the Cuhans am
unaiierahy opposed 10 such a proposition
I think the Cubans have mere than paid
SPAN the full price OF their liberty. not
only In the taxes that have been levied
upon the is,and 10 carry on the war
against their independence. but In the
sin higher and dearer price OF suffering.
starvation and blood
Meem Hopes for Peace.
Il do not want TO see war. II diplomacy
can settle the questions that have arisen.
but n that course falls, then let Spain be-
warer'
This Is the fashion in which Postmaster
Gilbert 8. Meem epitomized the Cuban
situation yesterday. in the course OF a
conversation with a representative OF the
Post Intelligence. II saw this country
go through one terrible. devastating war.
FOR four years the country In which I
lived. the great commonwealth Of yir-
ginia. was soaked with blood. OF the
horrors OF war l know something: so I
say. lie, Us avoid bloodshed and human
slaughter II the machinery of the state
department can eject a speedy settlement
OF the questions that are calling 10 loudly
for solution.
The news OF today Ii much more re-
assuring than that Of yesterday. There
are indications that Spain has begun 10
feel keenly her inability In point Of wealth
and resources 20 cope with the United
States in modern warfare. II Is not SO
much q question Of honor with the Span
iards. I believe that they would give the
most favorable consideration to q propo-
stficn whereby the Cuban people would be
freed. PROVIDED the debt n hondS owed 10
Spain would be guaranteed or paid out
right. Spain. TO my way Of thinking.
would rather have the usaney than Cuba.
The island has always been a source OF
great expense and Of incessan; trouble to
her.
II am rot preaching war. yet I believe
that the unwavering and unanimous senti-
useni OF the people Of this country de-
ynands tina. the question Of the liberty OF
the Cuban people shall no~ De sts.ed and
for all time This Is a matter tha; Is con-
ssaered separate ard distinct from the loss
of shs battieship Maine Spanish rule on
.hs island IL the American people have
their way, will be brought 10 a speedy
termination. II IL simply a question or
mesns 20 bring this 20 paas
Spain - not prepared TO eight the
United States. Her internal conditions bid
her pause Should she finally engage In
war with this country, she would ,oue
mach Cuba would be taken immediate
ay. A few companies Of Texas rangers
and a couple Of bsssieshIps would do the
work. TIE American people VII. back up
the government 10 man IL war IL de-