The herald., 1898-06-22
As It Appears

To the Editor of The Los Angeles Herald:
For three years a civil war had been wagsd
in the neighboring island of Cuba, with
great cruelty and doubtful results, when
the United States determined to intervene
and stop the carnage. Up to that time
the two belligerent parties had been so
evenly balanced that any considerable as
sistance to either would seem to have been
sufficient to break the equilibrium and en-
force peace This was the view taken of
the situation by the American people when
they demanded Intervention. The insur-
gents were in great need of arms, munitions
of war and provisions and having no marine
of their own, they could with difficulty OBJ
tain them from abroad. 1t became a COM
mon belief in the United States that by
supplying the insurgents with what they
needed, and by blockading the ports of
Cuba, the Spanish forces would be COM
PEELED to withdraw. There appeared to be
little or no occasion for sending troops into
country where arms and provisions
alone were called for. 1t is well known
that filibusters were constantly striving
to render assistance to the Cubans, and
would have done so to large extent but
for the interference of our government,
which spent much money and made great
exertions to prevent such. and all other
kinds of aid. from reaching the Cubans.
In this we were actually assisting Spain in
the unholy work of crushing the islanders.
This ungrateful task was performed I'M
der the pretense of unfolding internation-
al law. but it was. nevertheless. altogether
damaging to the cause of freedom in Cuba.
1t was believed to be only necessary to let
IN on this sort of business and to use
our navy for the other purpose of keeping
out Spanish recruits and supplies, to afford
Cuba all the aid she needed
1t was considered that in the event of our
coming to blows with Spain. we would have
the advantage of carving on military
operations close at home. while she would
have TO operate across n wide ocean. Be-
sides our resources of all kinds were abun-
dant while Spain was nearly exhausted
and bankrupt. Other advantages consist
ed in our vastly superior numbers and
greater intelligence. 1t was. moreover. no
trifing consideration that the svmpathy
and good will of the civilized world were
q gainst Spain in the controversy. owing
to her barbarous treatment of the people
of Cuba.
all other spanish-American nations. would
he able. with a fair show, to take care OF
themselves. and of their European oppress-
ors besides, without much assistance from
us. must be apparent to anyone who re-
members that for three years they had,
unaided, most CALAMITY maintained their
cause against the power of the mother
We of the United States cannot
dispute this since the very basis of our in
PREVENTION was that they had shown suffi-
Gent strength to establish a government
Of their own, We are even now bound TO
so much power to them when they
shall be no longer annoyed by Spanish in
vaders. Indeed, if they had not shown
that degree of prowess and indicated their
fitness for self control, then our action on
their behalf was an error If, with the aid
of our navy and the abundant supplies we
can furnish them, they cannot maintain
their foothold on their native heath. then
our declaration of war against Spain on
their behalf was an egregious mistake.
The insurgents are an intelligent, patri-
otto and spirited class of people. They
are fighting for their own homes and fam
lilies, and the presumption is altogether
strong that with purely volunteer aid, to-
sether with the protection of our ships and
the supplies we can send them. they could
maintain their cause and drive the invaders
from their soil without the assistance of
y single American soldier.
T find no difficulty in accepting the opin-
ion of Senator Proctor, a gentleman VINO
has OCCUPIED the responsible position of
war minister in this country, and whose
on;non. therefore, ought to carry weight
hat 1000 Yankee soldiers in corporation
with the insurgents. would be sufficient
to d;snose of the remaining discouraged
and disheartened Spanish army in Cuba.
This is in substance the opinion of Senator
proctor after a visit TO the island, and Il
"a ref,,, investigation of its affairs in per-
con
Rut not 1000 only. but ten or fifteen thou
=, nd mon of orr regular army. would have
heen hut too glad to assist General Co
mez and his brave followers in expelling
tho a,readv djsgusted invaders. All that
,,,.s neoossarv for MS TO do could have
boon ocoouplished nv the use of our ships-
TRANSPORTS simultaneously with
tho declaration of war and. NAV I add.
sucb was the public expectation at the
zinc Had that course been pursued. tn,
80, ,,;,h+ hova been at an nd or certainly
..,,.,, ,,ooror ord +bon ~ &c today Fran
,,ooa Aor,, veather we have gone on RI
tho srrmer solstice and nothing decisive
,,as taor oooomn,ished or &c nromised foy
''..' -~N,-