The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-16
The Real Reason.

The Real Reason.
The discussion in the House and the
Senate of the Intervention resolutions
makes it clear that the chief reason why
Congress is determined that Spanish rule
in Cuba shall come to an end speedily is
the blowing up of the Maine, and shat
reason is at the bottom of the war 5enti-
ment throughout the country. The people
are pretty well satisfied that the destruc-
ton Of the Maine was due to Spanish
treachery. but they are not quite so wen
satisfied as they would like to be- If here
were no doubt in their minds the President
would have had no hesitation about what
he should say in his message, and Con-
sress would have declared war without
discussing the question of the advisa-
biity of doing so. Indeed, the Maine in
cident would have been regarded as an act
of war, and our warships would have been
at Havana as quickly as they could nave
reached there after the disaster was
known. There was doubt as to the re-
sponsibIity for the Names destruction
and that doubt existed after the court of
inquiry had finished its Investigation, and
it still exists.
In the whereases of the resolution au-
thorizing the President to intervene in
Cuba, the results of SPANS brutal rule
in that island are strongly put but they
are not regarded as being a sufficient rea-
son for involving the United States in a
war with Spain; therefore, the Maine af-
f-... l. -
perform the work of arousing and keep
ing alive the war feeling.
But before We go to war on the ground
of Spain's responsibility for the destruc-
ton of the Maine and more than two hum
dred and fifty American sailors, ought We
the great crime with which we charge
her?
The people are not united for war, snd
they will not be until they are satisfied
that there exists a just cause for it. There
are many who think we ought to drive
think war would be a good thing for the
country. Those who have business inter
ests don't want war, but the wage earn
ers pretty generally favor it, because they
have been led to believe that war will les
sen competition in the wage market, and
that, therefore, times will be better for
them, but there is no such war feeling
in the country as will send to the army
and navy, without further inducements,
all the able-bodied men the government
needs. That there isn't, Is shown by the
difficulty that is being experienced in get
ting recruits of the right sort.
The reason that there is no rush into
the army and navy is the uncertainty
about the business of our cause. On ev-
cry hand this statement is made, namely,
we are ready to fight Spain if the respon-
sibility for the destruction of the Maine is
fastened upon her, but we don't care to
fight for the Cubans.
To say as Capt, Slgsbee said, as Gen.
Lee said, and as congressman are saying
in their speeches. that they believe that
Spain is responsible for the destruction of
our battleship and the death of so many
of our brave seamen, is not sufficient to
satisfy this country or other countries
that we have a good cause for war. Some
thing more than belief is demanded. II
is no reflection upon our honor or cour-
age that we want to be sure we are right
before bringing upon ourselves the nor
rors of war or inhict such horrors upon
another people.