The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-21
Nothing to Arbitrate.

1t is believed that the suggestion of a
reference of the Maine disaster to in
ternational arbitration proceeded in
the first instance from Spanish sourc-
es The acceptance of it by the United
States would promote the chief aim of
Spanish craftsmanship; II would cause
delay. An international court of in
quiry could not be constituted inside of
two months. BY that time the rainy
season in Cuba would be well estab-
lished and military operations of all
kinds would necessarily be suspended.
The wreck of the Maine, If not in the
meantime dismantled by dynamite,
would have so far settled down in the
mud and ooze of Havana's stagnant
harbor that satisfactory re-examin-
alton OF it would be impossible.
The arbitrators could do no more
than grant @ hearing to the
men already examined by the
American court of inquiry; and mas
much as these would by that time be
widely scattered, it could not hope to
reach a verdict before fall and might
not he able to agree on any verdict at
all. because of the disappearance of
evidence. All this time Spain would be
preparing to thwart the American de-
termination that Cuba shall be free,
and in the end war would ensue, with
Spain in just so much better condition
for it.
Under any circumstances there COLD
be international arbitration only on
one condition. If the American court
shall hold that the Maine blew up by
accident there will be nothing tc
arbitrate. If it shall hold that
the Maine was maliciously de-
stroyed by the fixed design OF
the Spanish government. then, ar
bitration will not be possible, for wal
would already have been declared and
begun. II it shall be shown that the
Maine was destroyed by Spaniards un-
officially, arbitration might fix the
amount Of the indemnity, but we car
do that ourselves. As the injured par.
ty we ought better to know what would
constitute reparation for such an out.
rage than any high court of neutrals
sitting in part on Spain's invitation
Besides, If Spain is true in her profes.
sions of friendship she will at once ASK
us to fix the terms of reparation, frank.
ly acknowledging responsibility and
appealing to our generosity.
But the question of indemnity after
all is not the main question. 1t is only
a side issue. Where We have lost 25(
lives and $5,00O,OO worth of property
because of Spanish sovereignty in
Cuba, Cuba itself has lost 500 900 lives
and been converted from a garden spo,
into a desert. AS a Christian nation,
dedicated to principles of humanity
and justice. are we TO measure oui
patry loss beside the incalculable woe
in Cuba, and when ourselves REIN.
bursed by Spain, pocket the indemnity
and say to the world; Scuba be
damned"? Obviously not. Nor could
we without humiliation ask a court OF
arbitration to decide for us whether
we ought to view with continued indif.
AVichSS 'HlS lIlSHtlul tragedy enacted
at our doors. The men who foreswore
King George did not ask the worlds
consent. They knew the world was SCI
against them; that tyranny, ruling
court and camp, would prescribe then
as rebels and view with hatred theil
standard OF revolt, But they moved
on. and the whole of civilization ha,
since profIted by their courage. Theil
descendants, though they be called q
commercial people. fond of peace al
any price, have not so far shamed the
good blood that Is in them as to pro
pose to ask any foreign nation wheth
er their warships are TO be blown VI
and their sailors assassinated, and II
so, on what terms.