Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-21
FRIDAY. JANUARY 81, $50


On Wednesday IN the thittu St"tN'
House Of Representatives there was an
other outburst Of jingoism over the Gu
ban question. The Cuban enthusiasts
took advantage of the contention adj
vanced in certain quarters that the Ha-
bana riots proved that autonomy was
doomed to failure, and introduced one OF
two resolutions looking. respectively, 10
interference by this government in the
conflict in some manner, shape, or form
AS a consequence another Cuban-problem
debate was precipitated.
The whole business was out Of order in
the sense Of being untimely and unwise,
If not in a parliamentary sense. The
Habana riots have not proved that au-
tonomy is destined 10 fail. While we are
free 10 admit that the prospects of the
Cuban insurgents accepting the new pro-
gramme do not appear particularly bright,
ii should be remembered that one in
stance Of rioting against movement
does not demonstrate futility of the
movement any more than one swallow
makes a summer. Again. the position of
those who claim that when the true in
spiration of the rioting shall have been
tonomy will be helped rather than hurt,
is not entirely illogical.
But. taking even the gloomiest possible
view of the outlook for autonomy, we
are not justified in rushing into the breach
at present by jingoistic explosions, ora
forica1 darnonefraffopc calculated n
irritafe Spain. or otherwise. The present
administration inherited a conservative
Cuban policy from a Democratic admins.
tration. There is much in the record OF
Mr.. Clevelands last term as PRECEDENT
with which we have nothing in common.
With the present administration we have
still less in common. Events so far have
however. justified Mr.. Cleveland's general
course touching the Cuban complication,
and shown that he was wise in appoint
ing General Ftzhugh Lee to be Consul
General at Habana. They have also JUS
titled President Mckinley in accepting
that course as legacy, and in continuing
in the position of Consul-General one
whom Mr.. Hit Republican,, chairman Of
the House Committee on Foreign Affairs,
aptly referred TO as an official of ability
and experience, who could be relied upon
10 guard our honor at Habana.
Nor is that all. Since the Mckinley Ad-
ministration came in Spain has made i'm
portant concessions to public sentiment in
this country in respect of the Cuban is
sue, among these being the offer OF au-
tonomy and a pledge to conduct the
struggle against the insurgents hereafter
on more humane lines. We are morally
test of the new programme and all
things considered. it is absurd to say
that that. reasonable time has elapsed.
We have every evidence we could ask
that the Sagasta ministry is keeping
faith in respect of the concessions it has
augurated. The feeling that has been
stirred up, both in Cuba and in Spain.
against the ministry, and Blanco, It's
representative at Habana, and which
found expression in the Habana riots.
presents not the least convincing proof of
the sincerity Of Sagasta and his col
leagues. Until II shall have been decided
beyond question that the autonomy plan
is a failure. or Spain shall have aban-
doned her more humane war programme.
the United States cannot change their
present Cuban policy for a more agrees
sive one without mourning deseryedly the
charge OF acting in bad faith.
We do not maintain that the time Will
not come when the United states will
have 10 act vigorously in the matter OF
bringing the struggle I'm Cuba to an END
We 60 not maintain that the occasion Will
not present itself in which we would be
fully justified in 80 acting. But 10 antici-
pate that time and that occasion by such
proceedings as took place in Congress on
Wednesday Is unjust to Spain, harmful
10 the business Of the country. and a con-
domination cf the administration which.
as much as we antagonizc rs genera
policies, we must say It does not merit
As the case now stands. Congress could
not In the interest Of all concerned 90
bftters than leave il in the hands OF the
President and our Consul-Gcneral AT Ha-
bana. who not only understand eacn
ether thoroughly. but understand the
situation In its bearing on the future as
well as the present more thoroughly than
Il II possible for Congress 10 understand
n.
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