The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-03

CITY OFFICIAL RAbB8-
seA1rE, SUNDAY, APAlL =
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spAIx's CUNNING DIPLOMACY.
II n tust ~ well TO remember that.
reasonabis - 0pain's plea may seem on
IT. face tor further time. this country
has beeu patiently waiting for thirty
years In order to afford Spain an oppor-
tunity TO do Whist she now wants to do
within tie next thirty days. II IL In
tereeting 70 turn back the pages Of his
tory and refresh our memory - to tho
lnct6ents which took place the last time
this country called upon Spain to gov
ssn The island OF Cuba upon principles
pers IN harmony with the civilization
q the nineteenth century. Spain was
i'm. a she II now. attempting TO en-
foros her demands with the same brutal
forcs she had used In the fifteenth and
eixtsenth centuries In her conquest OF
South America.
The distressed condition Of labor and
the expressions Of the Spanish govern
ment provoked the people to rebellion
which lasted for thirty years. The In
sursents had declared . republic and
chosen proyisiona! president. Eostili-
ties soon became active. A memorial
was addressed 10 Presiden: Grant In
voaxing the concession Of belligerent
rights and the recognition Of Cuban In
dependence on the part Of the United
States. Grant was disposed to accede
to the recognition Of belligerent rights.
but no attempt had been made by the
rsvoautionists at that time to organize
y civil government. and no action was
taken.
The people Of the United States not
only sympathixed with Cuba. but sent
expeditions of volunteers and war mate
rial 90 their aid. Public sentiment was
aroused to a lighting pitch by the afro
cious orders Of the Spanish general CON-
handing. who decreed a general slaugh-
ter Of al male persons owe. fifteen years
OF age caught away from their habita-
tions. and the indiscriminate burning of
suspected houses and villages. A differ
ent policy. but with the same purpose.
has been pursued by the Spaniartis In
this later campaign. Instead of shoot
Ing the people down II has been 30 ar
ranged that they should slowly starye
90 death.
Spain was very busy making promises
Of reform. and although the sympathy
of the administration ~ well as that Of
the people was with the insurgents.
Spanish diplomacy 50 far prevailed that
the United States did no more than ten
der to Spain the good offices OF the
United States In the settlement Of the
dispute between the cubans and the
mother country. This vas declined and
nothing mere was done. One OF the tn
cidents Of that campaign was an expe-
dition fitted out under the leadership
OF Gen. Thomas Jordan. which included
thrse hundred men armed with nrss-
class rifles. q considerable force az artil-
lery. four thousand stand OF arms, and
revolvers stores and other wariike sup
plies.
The island OF Cuba Is described as
then being n randemoniusn In which
unspeakable harharisies were practlced.
Two Americans. named speakman and
Wye'h, were brutality murdered by the
Spanish authorities, The United states
government was necessarily isnporsunea
10 inserven. on behalf Of civilization
and humanity: the department Of state
was ecnaoaraed with protests. and the
house Of representatives In 1879 adopted
resolution authorizing the presiden,
TO rensonssrase aga,ns, the hasharous
manner In which the war against Cuba
has been conducted" And IL he sno,,ss
deem II expeslien'. 10 Invoke the coroner
alton Of ether governments IN a.,sse
measures to sectsee a better ebxarvan~.
Ell the lass et war. The senate s%el,res
10 consider this resolution.
In 1873 the incident - the yt~psn,,,s
occurred. end for time war he.v.sv,
tbs tvs countries seemed .nsv,,ahsa
DtpsnAtie negotiations finally adjusted
IL difaeuisy and peaceful settlement,
Va seousss. In that case the Spanish