The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-19
PATRIOTIC WORDS.

Mai. Hudson Criticizes President NC
Kinley's Present "Waiting' Attitude.
A reporter for the Journal visited
Major J. K. Hudson today to get his
views on the present strained situation
between Spain and the United States.
Major Hudson said:
THE awful disaster in the harbor Of
Havana over which the nation mourns
and through which it lost 260 brave
men, would never have occurred had
the government in CleveIand's admins
tration or later through President Nc
Kinley followed the demands of the
American people for the recognition Of
Cuban independence.
For the past two years while Spain
murdered and starved a long suffering
people, this great republic stood with
folded hands and said: We will take
additional evidence as to the charges OF
inhumanity; we will investigate; we
will exhaust all the Influences of diplO-
macy to stop the war before interter-
ing The demand upon the officers Of
the government for a change of policy
and for aggressive action in behalf of
the patriots of Cuba, has gone up TO
Washington from every state and coun-
ty from every political party repre-
senting all the people.
ELECTED upon bold plank demand
ing the recognition of the independence
of Cuba President Mckinley has fol-
lowed the footsteps of Cleveland, and
the nation, despite the overwhelming
sentiment against SPAN ana IN LaNoE OA
Cuban independence, has continued as a
partner in the greatest crime OF the
century. The blowing up OF the Maine,
even if proof is secured after 1nVestlgal-
ing thatit was by Spanish torpedo, ADDS
only one more argument for recognl@-
ing Cuban Independence. The real rea-
sons why the United States should long
ago have recognized the cause OF the
patriots of Cuba were the same that eN-
listed when American independence was
secured. and further because the war.
in violation of every sentiment of civil
ization and humanity has been one OK
determination on the part of Spain
s'De LONE expressed the contempt eV-
cry Spaniard feels toward the govern
nent of the United States and its ofn-
GERS.
In diplomacy, which is a polite term
for artistic lying and the deceit practlc-
ed among nations for advantages 10 pc
gained, Spain has shown nerseH tne
master of the situation. The bona DfOh-
ers of New York, Boston and Philadel-
phia and other cities, demand peace IN
the interest of speculation, and the pol
iticians are against war pollcy TOT
fear it will destroy the prosperity upon
which their reelection depends ana
thus the Republican party that many
of US live and work for every caIllpalsh'
stands like an imbecile before the de-
mands of the money brokers and doz-
en- national politicians, afraid to carry
out it's promises TO the peOpIe upOH me
Cuban question.
I'm this mornings dispatches we find
one from New York intended to be used
as an influence in favor Of peace with
Spain 1t recites the fact that the
| great Spanish warship Vizcaya is in the
harbor of New York and could de-
stroy that city in four hours. It claims
there is no American war vessel within
300 miles of New York and that New
York is helpless to protect herself in a
contest with Spain. To all this It may
be said that it is good object lesson
for the politicians who pose as states
men, If there are no harDor defenses
! for the protection of New York and 9th
| er Atlantic cities, what have the sena-
tors and congressman OF those states
been doing for the last thirty yearsR
''If we need a new system of coast de-
fenses and more war ships to defend
! this great rich republic against pow
! erty-stricken secOnd-claSS power ike
| SPAIN then build them. Let the navy
! and the army be strengthened to de-
! fend the country in time Of need This
| republic needs today d foreign policy
| that shall consider first the duty Of the
country toward struggling nations like
! Cuba and one in which the honor of the
| nation shall not be secondary to the
| interests of money gamblers"