The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-02-28

some considerations which present them
selves to thoughtful men. On this score
am able to give the substance of an inter
view which I have had with an officia
who is high in the administration s coun
ellis and who possesses the confidence of tn,
president.
Difficulties In the Way.
LET me show you some of the Difficult
ties that are in our way" said this gen
tleman. Before we can go to war there
must be something to war about. We
should have cause that the world will
recognize as just, for nation in this
serious business of warmaking is just
| like an individual 1t is impossible to re-
tain the respect of ones neighbors and Sc.
cure their support if one attacks man
without sufficient Justification. Before
| we can declare war there must be some
cause therefor, and naturally the president
is expected to lay this cause before con-
gress in full statement of the case. Con-
gress alone can declare war under our con
stitution, and before congress acts a case
must be made out What has Spain done
against usP What attack has she made
upon the United Statss, assuming that the
Maine was not blown up by conspiracy
having the authority of the Spanish gov
eminent, of which there Is no evidencep
when we come to answer this ques-
ton, we find that Spain has a rebellion on
her hands in Cuba. That rebellion has
cost us some annoyance and we think
Spain Is long time putting it down.
But did we not have rebellion of our own
on hand some years ago and were we not
long time in suppressing 1t? And did it
not infiict great loss of commerce upon
several of the nations of Europep Still we
should have felt very much aggrieved If
any European nation had said to us our
war had gone far enough and If we did
not stop 1t instantly they would declare
war upon this country.
Action Demanded.
1T Is true that the situation in Cuba
demands some action at our hands and
that the country will never be satisfied till
action is taken. l do not doubt that the
president Is preparing to act, but the fact
remains that the situation does not de-
mand war, and there would be no thought
of war as a solution of it if it were not for
public opinion. Public opinion is perhaps
pressing the president farther and faster
than he would be willing to go if left to
his own Judgment. In other words, the
people who know only the surface of
things and who think with passion and
heat are really directing what shall be
done instead of leaving such a momentous
question to the officials, who are supposed
TO have full information and a sober, seri-
Gus responsibility to meet. Remember,
too, that all this because Cuba is 90 miles
from our shores instead of 1900. If the
island lay long way off, over in Africa
or Asia or Australasia, not a word would
you hear said about it in this country, al
though the international rights and the
considerations of humanity would be just
the same.
II do not oppose giving reasonable
amount of help to Cuba, but l do not
think we should talk war. Spain has done
no injury to us. On the other hand, she
has released every American citizen caught |
in Cuba violating the laws of Spain and |
the laws of his own country too. At our |
instance she has recalled Weyler and in
more humane policy. She seems |
anxious to do everything toward us that |
Is right and just. But admit the coun- |
try wants action, and as a rule believe in |
the masses. They are not often |
mistaken. But In this case they may be /
going too far. 1t may not be war that we /
need, but some form of mediation that |
will solve the problem without war. That, |
believe, Is the presidents idea. Our pur-
pose Is not, or ought not to be, tho de-
struction Of Spain, but the salvation Of
Cuba.
Can We Declare War?
Suppose the president does demand of
Spain that the war be brought to an end
and that this government be admitted as
\ factor in settling the trouble on some
permanent basis Then suppose Spain
says that is matter Of her domestic oon-
,erD, and she cannot admit the right of
'oreign power to dictate to her, but that
The Is anxious to remove all things that
annoy us and that she will use her utmost
,ndeavors to suppress the rebellion. Spain
ioes nothing but stand on her dignity.
What are we to dor Can we declare war
IN her for thatP Would 1t be just causep
Would the opinion of the nations uphold
,sP Where has Spain attacked usf What
has she done to injure usf No, there are
many things to be thought about, and we
hould be very cautious how we rush into