Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-05
PROTECT AMERICAN CITIZENS.
Spain Continues to Delude and Hum.
bug the United States.
To the Editor Of The Evening Star:

Spain Continues to De1ude and Hum.
bug the United States.
To the Editor of The Evening Star:
The observer of current events must be
impressed with the force of recent edi-
torial articles in The Star referring to
occurrences in Havana. and to the di-
versions of Castilian diplomacy at Madrid
and Washington. He may be entertained
by the Kaleidoscope character Of these
performances. but if he is citizen Of the
United States he will be chagrined and
mortified to see how easily his country
is made the dupe of Spanish jugglery
The editorial, entitled Returning Our
VISIT" which appeared in The Star of
yesterday, deserves to be read and reread
by every genuine American. AS every per-
son who is at all informed on the sub
ject knows, the situation in Cuba has
for more than twenty years passed from
bad to worse, Notwithstanding the reiter-
ated excuses and promises expressed in
diplomatic phrases on sealed paper, and
the lessons of history teach that this pro-
gression will continue until the gem of
the Antilles shakes off the Spanish yoke.
But there is one feature of the situation
which this government has not sufficient
ly regarded, and which to it's discredit has
been almost entirely ignored by the last
as well as by the present administration.
l refer to the neglect of this government
to opportunity protect American lives and
property on the Island Of Cuba, and where
outrages have been committed to demand
from Spain substantial and prompt repair
alton. This regret to adequately protect
American lives and property in Cuba is
abundantly evidenced by official commune
cations which Is unpleasant reading for
Americans, and this is feature of the
situation touching which the government
appears callous. There are occasions,
such as for instance the British COM
manders in India faced against almost
overpowering odds, when the representa-
tives of a state must decide between the
sacrifice of the enemy ana It's cltlzens.
policy'' is a humane policy, and the only
policy for q self-respecting state to follow.
There was period when our authorities
seem to have recognized that the righting
the wrongs of American citizens in Cuba
was an imperative duty. and as far back as
1874 the American Secretary Of State (Mr.
FISH addressed the American minister at
Madrid (Mr. Cushing in THIS language:
"MeanWhfle our political relation to
Cuba is altogether anomalous. seeing that
for any injury done, to the United States
or its citizens in Cuba we have no direct
means of redress there. and can obtain 1t
only by slow and cirfuitQps action by way
of Madrid. The captain general Of Cuba
has. In effect, by the laws of SPAIN SUI
prone and absolute authority there for all
purposes of wrong to our citizens; but this
government has no adequate means of de-
manding immediate PREPARATION for such
wrongs on the spot, except through con-
sui, who does not possess diplomatic
character, and to whose representations,
therefore, the captain general may. If he
choose, absolutely refuse to listen.
. In these circumstances the
question what decision the United States
shall take Is serious and difhcult one,
not to be determined without careful con-
sideration Of it's complex elements of do
nestle and foreign policy but the deter
mination Of which may at any moment be
forced upon us by occurrences either in
Spain or in Cuba.
It must have been perfectly obvious to
every Intelligent observer that the out
RACES which our citizens In Cuba suffered
at the hands Of Spanish authorities in the
decade between 1858 and 1879 would be
continued or repeated whenever the law
less Spanish ofacial could ind . pretext,