Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-05

my Individual judgment, based solely upon
the conviction that in these enlightened
days two self-respecting nations, made up
or men and worn IN of high aspiI ations and
noble instincts, cannot and will not resort
t" that last and brutal eXpedient of war
1t would be too wanton, too criminal, too
offensive to all thu dictates of civilization
and Christianity for such an awful conse-
qCence to be brought about. To be sure /
cannot close my eyes to certain obvious
circumstances existing both here and in
Spain. AT times these have inclined me
to share the popular view that the rela-
items between the two countries were fast
APPROACHING an irrcconc;lable issue And
yet at nc time has it seemed to me- nor
does it seem to me row, that that issue has
progressed beyond the bounds of a reason
afle and just settlement, alike honorable
to both governments.
The Spanish Side.
"Consder for a moment some of the ele-
ments of this present crisis the mnist ar
went on. speaking with much vigor. Can
1t be possible that your people will con-
slider only one side of the case? Let us for
! moment admit that there are two sides
to this case. There are always two sides
TO case, and is it just or fair or chvalrous
for your people. borne On by their strong
and innate patriotism. to say, we are
right, Spain is wrong, that ends it,? In
spirit of simple justice why will not this
di: position yield for moment to calm
consideration of both sides of the case
including some of those factors which are
vital and essential to Spain?
Cuba has been colony of Spain from
time immemorial-from the time of the dis
ccvery by Christopher Columbus-and as
part of Spain there is clustered about it a
reverence almost sacred. Cuba is regarded
by our people just as you regard one OF the
states of your union. What would be said
If some foreign power said to the Unit ed
States that Illinois or Texas or California
must be free and Independent of the United
States? Would rot your very honor be
brought in question? OF course, L can un-
derstand that some one will rise up and
say, Yes, but the states are well governed
and are at peace, while Cuba is msgov
erned and In a state of Instruction.
Reports of Barbarity Denied.
There, again, simple justice and fairness
demand that there be something more than
abstract assertion. To be sure, your press
tells of brutal savagery existing in Cuba.
do not wish to deal in recrirnination The
time for that has gone by. But l give you
my word that this savagery does not exist
at all; that all reliable reports, official and
unofficial, Spanish and American, agree
That whatever may have been the condi-
ton or affalrs year or two ago, Gen.
blanco mas lnaugurated humane and
benef1cent system characteristic of the man.
Naturally, with an Insured ton in progress
military affairs have pursued the usual
methods of military life. And in this they
have been constantly restrained at all times
by the determination to have their opera
| tons worthy Of an honorable nation and an
honorable people. That is all Spain has
sought to do in putting down a rebellion
1t Is what any government on the face of
| tho earth would do. It seeks no more and
| no less than to preserve her established
rights.
Home Rule in Cuba.
Now as to autonomy. For some reason
intense feeling has been aroused in this
country against the home rule regime which
Spain has inaugurated in Cuba. 1t seems
| to be overlooked, in the passion of the mo-
ment, that this home rule has been the