The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-07
THE CUBAN PROBLEM.
Judge r.. $. Taylor FavOrs RecoGni-
ton of Independence.


Judge r. s. Taylor returned yesterday
from Washington, where he had been Tor
several days in attendance upon meeIlnS
of lawyers appointed by the, American Bar
Association to confer with the Senate judi
ciary committee in regard to some pro-
posed changes in the organization OF the
federal courts. To a reporter $40 asked
for his views upon the present situation IN
Washington, he expressed himself as fol-
lows:
1.-THE situation has been highly critical for
week. A red-hot war spirit pervades the
capital. Many influences contribute to this
The officers and attaches of the navy VINO
have influence in Washington are burning
with eagerness to avenge the destruction or
the Maine and are very impatient OF delay.
There are many contractors and persons
who have schemes of profit to promote IN
the city; and there are many Visitors VINO
catch the prevailing spirit and give express
sion to their sentiments without reserve
from the galleries of the Senate and House.
There is no doubt that Congress has been
restrained with difficulty from taking decl-
''In my opinion, the occasion for war has
not yet arisen. The destruction or the
Maine does not furnish it now. IL we desire
reparation for that wrong we should ask
for it, and II Spain should refuse and the
occasion justified. we would then be eE.tled
to exact reparation at the mouth ~ the
cannon. But we have neither asked nor has
Spain refused reparation war for that
cause now would be a war of revenge, pure
and simple. war for mere revenge by
the greatest Christian Nation in the world
would be crime against civilization
There is a course open to us which may
accomplish all we desire without war. 1t is,
first, to recognize the independence of Cuba.
Sxistence of an accomplished fact. The Gu
Ldns have earned their freedom. They have
possession of the greater part OF the island.
1t is morally certain that the rebellion can
not be suppressed by Spain. Her continued
efforts to suppress 1t mean continuation
of brutal and unavailing warfare: Upon
these facts we are morally justified in rec
ognizing the independence of the island We
can then establish international relations
with them. We send 5uccor to their
needy people, receive their representatives
at Washington and open trade with the ISL
and. All this is not war with spain IN any an,
hans TO deal and trade and communicate
with the Spaniards. Neither does It mean
armed Intervention. We can leave the Gu
bans to drive the Spaniards from the island
themselves, as they will before long without
''- 3o f. Course, Spain would treat this as an
unfriendly act on her government ana
make war on us for 1t II she chose.
such a war we would be clearly IN the
right. u.,h,o ,owo,,ar that Strain
would not resent such action on our part
to the extent of war and that the aftalr
would be thereby closed and the lnde-
pendence OF Cuba achieved without tne
Smiling of American blood. There IS no
doubt that great influences are beng
brought. to bear upon the Spanish gov
eminent to accept the lnevita.ble ana liz iS.
the Cubans go. The recognition OF tnelr
independence by us, accompanied by our
known preparation for war, might supple
ment those influences with telling effect;
"In this situation of extraordinary dlt-
fculty the President has conducted him-
self with great wisdom and heroic cour-
age A less brave man would have yield
ed long ago to popular clanor. senator
Fairbanks stands by the President Win
unhinching fidelity and uses all his inilu-
enca TO restrain the impetuosity or less con-
siderate men in the Senate ana HOUSE;
WAR may come. When ! left WaSh-
ington the probability appeared TO be that
it would. But if the people Will stand stan Dy
SONS for if on our part which will JUSTIFY
u in the Judgment of mankind and upon
the pages of history TO accomplish JUS
tice and secure the independence OF CUBA
without it would be greater victory man
a triumph of arms. If it does come we need
have no fear that it VIII not pe pfoseeu'eu
vigorously and with effect