The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-12
ARMED INTERVENTION! WHAT
THEN?

The wisdom and eQuipolse OF President
Mckinley has brought the country safely
past another eharp turn I'm the CUBAN
question. While under less judicious
management that might now be q hope
less breach with Spain, we have in the
nrmistice proclamation a basis for u
hopeful solution Of the trouble with peace
and honor.
Mr.. Mckinley has at least accomplished
these results for Cuba. General Blanco,
q man OF moderation and humanity, has
succeeded the blood-thirsty Weylcr
The order Of concentration Of the Cuban
people. which produced such terrible NOR
tality from starvation, has been revoked
and those people are returning 10 their
homes.
Food has been freely carried in for the
relief OF those who required IL.
An armistice throughout Cuba has been
keclared. and if hostihties continue it
will be by the insurgents and not by the
Spanish.
These changes have been accomplished
for the relief Of suffering Cuba and they
are not small.
The question Of the blowing up OF the
Maine. We haev always insisted ana still
do insist. IS utterly removed from the Gu
ban question, and 10 our mine is both
a. home and abroad 10 be Judged from an
entirely different standpoint.
We are free 10 confess that tho domcs-
Tic trouble Of Cuba have never moved
us for an instant nor indeed any body
We know to take up arms awainst Spain;
but the destruction Of the Maine may
become a casus belli in which the whole
peoplc Of tho United States would be
united as one man. We think that MT.
Mckinley has been wise in widely sepa-
rating these two subjects.
We have no reason 90 believe That the
destruction of the Maine will not be OK
plored with every effort TO find out the
very truth OF 81: and should IL appear. as
we believe it viii If the truth can be
discovered that Spain is either expressly
or impliedly responsible for IL, o. reck-
oning win be had with her according 20
the tfsages Of civilized nations. which
should satisfy every American That this
country IS willing and able 10 protect its
citizens I'm every portion Of the world.
Until. however. responsibility IS affixed
on Spaln. she cannot and should not be
held as convicted OF this heinous offence,
any more than Jefferson Davis should
have been held responsible and convicted
Of the assassination of Mr.. Li-coln boy The
fanaticol Booth.
There Is an intense desire on the part
Of the American people 10 learn every
fact connected with the Maine disaster and
that they will upon proper cause vim
d,eate tho rights Of Americans need never
be doubted.
so far. so right, Mr.. Mckinley, but the
wisdom Of armed intervention by his
country in order 10 make peace IN Cuba
and 10 establish q stable government there
"a ouite another question, and our coun-
,-v cannot move too cautiously In this
matter. We have had some experience
IN reconstructing States, and our success
has not been such as 70 warrant our gov
eminent IN undertaking the business sra-
fuitously for our n%eighbors. The effort
20 harmonic he differences betwecn the.
Union element and the Confedorates ana
the white people and the negroes In the
Southern States under the acts Of March
1867. was fraueht with disastrous results
and the Ku Klux was the first offset to
the combination OF carpet Dagger ana
negro. then ballot-box stuffi1g to negro
suffrage. and after thirty years Louisiana
IS stn struggling with the burdens which
were put upon her then by people who
did not understand her situation. Other
Southern states who have not already
done so are preparing themselves for a
struggle against the effects OF that unwlse
legislation.
IN view Of our own experiences i seems
20 us simple madness for the United
states government 20 undertake 20 recon-
struct Cuba regardless OF Spain and 20
establish "a stable form OF government
there for the people whose very language
We % not understand, who arc Of differ
snt race. habits. antesedents, customs.
prevailing religion and education. with
~abAAltsly notalnS u common with our