The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-02
THE HUMANITARIAN ASPECT OF THE
WAR

as victors we demanded certain territorial
concessions in lieu of a cash war indemnity
we have been called "the greedy republic
across the Atlantic and have been charged
with hypocrisy in pretending that we were
actuated in any degree whatever by humanf-
tartan motives. The leading paper of Paris
says: THE Americans, having started out
to liberate Cuba, have ended with pocketing
what remained Of Spains colonies"
Notwithstanding this talk of which there
has been a great deal, the fact remains that
our principal motive in declaring war
against Spain was one of humanity, and the
net results of the war about to be en-
bodied in a treaty of peace are conspicuous
ly so. The Paris paper above quoted says,
Having started out to liberate Cuba" etc.
Well, if we started out to liberate Cuba we
have done it. That in itself would be suffi-
cient justification of the war. To have
ended the Spanish rule in Cuba of four CEN
turtles, which British papers characterized
as q running sore beneath our very eyes,
and to have wiped out the "abhorrent con-
ditions' which the resolution of Congress
declared to be "a disgrace to civilization"
is in itself a triumph for humanity sufficient
to have justified the war. There is reason
to believe that in a few years Cuba will
become a prosperous and self-governing
country, either as an Independent nation or
as a part of the United States, and that
peace, happiness and progress will take the
place of the unspeakable conditions main
tanned there by Spain. That certainly is G.
gain for humanity, and it was accomplished
in a humane way. From the beginning of
the war we extended relief to the suffering
and starving Cubans and are still doing so.
We cared for our prisoners of war far bet
ter than they had ever been cared for by
Spain. We sent more than 5000 Spanish
troops back to their homes in Spain at our
own expense, feeding them on the way. We
rescued Admiral Cervera and many Of his
officers and men from drowning, and
clothed, fed and nursed them in way that
excited their establishment and gratitude.
Since the war we have made Santiago a
cleaner, healthier and better governed city
than 1t ever was before, and will soon do
the same for Havana, thereby breaking up
Spain has maintained for generations. We
will soon establish a tariff that will
help the Cubans to get on their feet and
make the island land of plenty instead Of
pauperism. For an established church we
will give it free religion, for universal
ignorance free schools, for deprecated
currency sound money, for corruption and
in hiuh fOla 1aI1t
and honest administration. All this is a
gain for humanity.
Turning to other points covered by the
treaty, all that has been said regarding
Cuba applies to Porto Rico, with the added
benefit that the latter island becomes at
once an undisputed possession of the United
States. From a misgoverned and impover-
ished colony of the least progressive nation
in Europe, Porto Rico becomes colony
of the freest and most progressive nation on
earth and a participant in all the blessings
of it's government. Whatever may become
of Cuba after the United States withdraws
its protection and assistance, Porto Rico is
safe for all time. Our pledge to establish
and maintain stable government in Porto
regarding Cuba. for Porto Rico is a MEM
Der of the family. Her status is secure and
her future career is certain to be one Of
freedom and self-government, of progress
and prosperity, as against Spanish tyranny.
sloth, corruption and misrule. That is a
very distinct gain for humanity.
The future of the Philippines is not as
easily foretold, but it cannot fail to be an
improvement over the past. The worst that
can befall the Philippines cannot be half as
bad as to have continued under Spanish
rule. The chances are that the United
States will so dispose of the Philippines,
either by holding the islands, establishing
a protectorate or transferring them to other
powers. as to advance their prosperity and
civilization, but whatever may happen to
them cannot be as bad for the cause of hui
mainly as for them to have remained in the
state of chronic degradation established and
maintained by Spain. Thus whatever the
final outcome of the Philippines question
may be it is sure to be gain for humanity.
Another point embraced in the treaty is
the release by Spain of all military and
political prisoners for offenses committed
in Cuba and the Philippines, including those
in prison and those in exile or in Spanish
penal colonies. The victims of Spanish
tyranny who will be liberated under this
clause will not question that the war was
a humane one. Still another point, of no
political consequence but of some impor-
tance from humanitarian point of view, is
the agreement by Spain. hitherto stubborn
ly refused, that religious freedom shall be
established in the Carolines and the rights
of American missionaries be recognized. The
extension of religious freedom is always
gain for humanity.
above enumerated do not include all of
them, but they are sufficient to show that
the sneers of our European critics are en-
tirely misplaced. The truth is no other war
of modern times has shown as much OF the
humanitarian spirit in the motives Of it's
undertaking. the manner Of its prosecuting
and its net results as does our war with
Spain.
1t can be repeated with emphasis that
there has been and will be little difficulty in
getting a municipal charter that will make
clean and economical city government pos
slble. Indianapolis has such charter Its