The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-28


United States government has been the
cause OF the insurrection In Cuba and
declares that We have always mani
tested a disposition to secure posses
sion Of the islands. Nothing could be
further from the truth. The fact Il
that fer nearly one hundred years
Spain has only been able to maintain
her sovereignty through our forbear-
anee.
There have been several attempts 10
drive the Spaniards out OF Cuba. and
some Of them might have been success
full. had the United States not stood in
the way and prevented It 1t is true
that our policy was limited 10 prevent
ing any other European nation obtain
| ing them. but we have as a nation
never seriously contemplated ourselves
| annexing Cuba and Porto Rico. The re-
suit was. all the same, that we have as
sisted In sustaining Spain's sovereignty
, Of the islands.
| The first opportunity We had for in
/ Prevention came In 1S0s, during Presi-
dent Jefferson's' second term. It was
about that time that Spain lost all her
American colonies except the two ISL
ands Napoleon was engaged in the war
upon Spain. and she was unable TO pre-
serve order in those islands which, ir-
| spired by the successful revolts in the
/ South American colonies and hatred OF
| Spanish rule, made an effort TO break
| away from the mother country. There
was great fear. however. that one OF
| the other European powers would seize
| them. and President Jefferson not only
| notified Spain tina. the UnitedI States
| would not permit the islands to fall
| into the hands OF any other nation. but
ence by another power would be re-
| garied as a cause Of war with the
United States.
During the administration of Presi-
/ dent Monroe. in 1898. another separa-
| ton seemed inevitable. The misgovern-
| ment OF Spain had thrown the islands
| into a condition OF rebellion. and there
were two parties formed. one Of which
| desired annexation 10 the United States
| and the other annexation by England.
/ The Cubans were informed that their
| desire for annexation 10 the United
States could not be encouraged. and 1t
was again distinctly declared that
| neither England nor any other Euro
pean power could have the islands.
During the Spanish revolution, the
French government iuteryened on be-
| half OF the Spanish king, and It was
| suspected that as a reward France
| would BE- permitted 10 assume domina-
| ton over the island Of Cuba Our gov
| eminent assured Spain that she could
| rely upon our assistance against any
such claim made by France. A few
years later Mexico and Colombia len.
their aid to the Cubans toward sacur-
| ing an independent government. but
| once more We interfered and made II
| known TO the two republics that their
| action was disiasteful TO US and they
desixted.
Spain presumed so mitch upon these
| evidences OF friendship. particularly
relying upon the policy OF Webster In
1852 that she interpreted our attitude
| to mean that this government would
even 50 10 the extent Of aiding Spain
III putting down rebellion. Opinion In
the United States was undergoing n
transition. however. ana Edward Ev-
ere.t. when secretary of state. found 1t
necessary 70 mere clearly define our pc
sition. II has been frequently intin,at-
81 20 Spain that. although we had no
desire 10 annex Cuba. the disturbances
through Sraln's disagreement were a
source q annoyance 10 US. and many
friendly warnings have been given that
unless more humane ana liberal policy
were pursued. Intervention might be
forced upon us. not only in the inter-
ests OF civilization but for the p-eser-
walton 81 peace near cur own territory.
Strenuoosly though We have opposed
any other power taking possession OF
Cuba. We are forced 10 the admission
thai under any other government than
that OF Spain the island would have
been better CT. Had England gained
possession there is no question that she
island would be In a much better condi-
tion. ana there Is reason to believe that
as an independent republic the peopls