The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-08
LET CUBA FIGHT IT OUT.
IL VIII Teach Them TO Take Care of
Themselves.
Editor OF The Times:

Editor OF The Times
Sir,-What are We 10 do about Cuba
is the question every patriotic citizen Of
the United States is asking himself to-
day.
The unfortunate disaster 70 the Maine
has made il difficult for the coolest 20
keep their temper within bounds, and
1t has been made the occasion Of a vast
amount Of gushing fire from those who
are hot for war for others, but Will never
be seen themselves on a battlefield.
The main points advanced by the adj
vocates of armed Intervention are relief
for the Cubans struggling for freedom,
relief for the starving reconcentradoes, on
humanitarian grounds and relief 10 oH
trade with Cuba.
The history Of the world shows that the
birth Of nations has always been attended
by the pains Of war, and that the lie
Of the offspring IS seriously endangered
If that birth Is premature.
Your correspondent has spent several
years of his life In Spanish America and
is familiar with the character OF the peo-
pie and he believes that TO give them
what they are fighting for by intervention
would be disastrous TO their future.
That their success Is certain within
limited period there can be no doubt For
three years they have held their ground
and have been steadily increasing in their
power Of resistance while for three years
the resources OF the mother country have
been as steadily waning, untl they are
now nearly exhausted.
Let US consider how matters would
stand with them I'm the alternate condl-
lions OF freedom won by their own ehoft5
and freedom which might be attributed 70
what the United States had done Tor
them. Their voting population would
then consist Of the following elem ms,
the army which had bornc the burden and
heat OF the day. the "pacifcos' who did
rotbino for either side. and a third ele-
meut composed OF a large number OF
wealthy and intelligent patriots VINO;
awaiting the result in other countries hdd
"suuffed the battle from afar
II independence is won by their own
efforts those VINO fought would rule by
general consent. But II freedom - Sc
cured by Intervention, Is 10 NOT human
nature for the absentees to claim that
"the pen had been mightier than the
sword" and that because or tneir eHoltS
in obtaining succor they were entitled 10
the lions share Of the honors. ANY
one who knows Spanish American cha-
racter must acknowledge that under SUCH
circumstances but few months would pass
before they would be cutting each others
throats.
From an humanitarian point or view
the saving Of life from starvation Is
most worthy object. but we must re-
member that the moment war - declared
all relief for them would he cut OF, except
under the assumption of immediate naval
successes. and any delay even would De
fatal 20 the poor creatures cllnglng 10
life only by our dOes Of daily bread. But
has humanitarianism no place III lts
heart for our many gallant shipS Whlch
must 20 ia the bottom, with al on ooard,
If war comes? How many worthless re-
concentrates is one such SHIPS com
pany worth? Il is sheer folly 10 UNDER
rate an enemy. AS matters now stand
there is little difference between the two
naval powers. and that the Spanish SHIPS
will not be fought 20 the death no I'M
Dreiudiced man can believe for a mo-
ment. That many on both sides VIII be
annihilated by the terrific engines OF de-
structlon with which they are proVided
IS inevitable.
AS 20 the interests of commerce, what
comparison can there be between tenn
porary continuance OF the suspension OF
trade with Cuba and Spanish cruisers
sweeping our merchantmen from the
seas as they surely would DO
1t is difficult for any one unacqualhled
with tropical forests 10 realize the ehor-
nous defensive power they possess-a
jungle OF thorny vines hanging from inc
branches of the trees 20 the srouna' I'M
penetrabie except by roads hewn through
them with the machete. II is Impossible
for an invading column 20 throw OUT
skirmishers or fankeTs or TO depioy' ana
the fate which has befallen so many OF
them in Cuba is due TO amDuScaoes III
such places, followed up Immediately
by cavalry charges on the ROAD Win ING
deadly machete.
Other great military advantages pos
| sessed by the Cubans are the small
amount OF clothing needed by an army
| in that climate and the ease with whlch
abundant subsistence can De produceo
for their troops In the rich country &C.
cupied by them.
These are the conditions which nave
enabled them 10 defy SPANS power 50
| long and VIII enable them 10 DO so uh'ii
she becomes utterly exhausted. Ihey are
! precisely the same conditions wnlch won
freedom for all the Spanish possessions
in America at time when Spain power
| was great.
We must remember that the Cuoans
have had no training whatever In SELF
| government, not even IN the SMALLEST
local affairs and the tribulation they
are now passing through Is the best pos
sible schooling TO teach them 10 take
care of themselves. Even with US
union OF the colonies might not nave
occurred, but for the eight years OF the
Revolutionary War.
| We hope most sincerely that our peo-
| pie and their representatives In the halis
OF the nation will consider this question