New-York tribune., 1898-11-28
THE cry FOR NYNPiTHY.

There is not the slightest occasion for sym
patty with Spain. Her past history in Cuba,
her past treatment of citizens of this country
who have been done to death without the form
or pretence of law and of the eNpOStulatonS
and protests by the United States many times
repeated cannot be forgotten by Americans al
though there is good reason not 10 dwell upon
them when peace is probably close a1 lahu'
Neither is it we'll 10 recaptulate events attend
ing the destruction of the Maine though II -
not possible for Americans 10 drop them from
mind During the months of war. and the
longer months of negotiation. scarcely Il word
has been said about such causes OF offence ana
It is the more honorable 10 our country that
the contest was begun and has been closed Win
q rnmarka bic absence of vindictive feeling. rs
a measure Of humanity. Justice and necessity
the Nation has discharged a duty. meanwhile
setting aside rs far aS il could any ground Tor
personal animoSity But when sympathy Is
asked for Spain from the civilized world the
people Of the United States consult their memo
ries. and wonder if the civilized world has
none
II is but the truth that Spain has brought
upon herself each and every disaster sustained.
Turn back 20 the beginning of August when
Spain sued for peace and note that the ni'ed
States had AT that time no armed force III pos
session OF the chief city Of the Philippines
Had the generous terms of peace offered by
President Mckinley been accepted without II
rtating and foolish delay. the situation after
ward would have been different in important
respects. But Spain chose TO fritter away TWO
long weeks in empty words and made the
signature Of The protocol so late that Manila
was captured before knowledge of the event
al IA pipnD n.n or
there For all the changes which that event
has involved Spain has only her own delay TO
thank
SO when the destruction of CerVcra'S fleet
and the landing at Santiago made it plain that
Spain had nothing to gain by further fighting,
the United States had not then occupied Porto
Rico. Had Spain asked for peace then. with not
a vestige less OF reason than she had in Au-
gust, the situation would have been diff
ferent Bur weeks more were wasted before
the final surrender Of Santiago, and the Porto
Rico expedition did not start until after that
event. but during the two weeks Of further
hesitation which preceded the application for
peace Porto Rico was occupied. and the hearty
welcome Of American forces by the inhabitants
settled another question For that delay ana
all lis consequences Spain has nobody but her-
self 10 blame The destruction of Cervera
feet was itself the consequence OF step taken
in the desire 10 infict upon American com
merce and American seaboard cities as much
injury as possible before the abandonment or
Cnba could be compelled, though il was III
evtabc from the outset
The naked truth is that in demanding moth
Ing but the retirement OF Spanish forces from
Cuba after all the history which mad prcc"d"d'
the United States exhibited a moderation which
is rare 1t would have been Infinitely easter
and more natural TO demand much more
Withdrawal from other nearby possessions.
recompcnse for past injuries far more than II
Is now profitable 10 consider. Possibly the very
calmness and sef-restraint Of this Nation led
Spain fatally to misunderstood the spirit which