davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-12
WHY THERE WAS no DELAY.

Spain. we arc told. expected the President
further to withhold his message. in view OF her
offer Of an armstce. Some European papers
outside Of Spain marplos ill-advsed. have
expressed the same expectation. And now there
are surprise and regret and Indignation or SIM
ulaton Of those sentiments. at the Presidents
prompt fulflmcnt Ofshis promise to this Nation.
All of which II is not easy for sincere and seri-
o,s men TO regard with patience. For this Is
not land In which II Is always afternoon.
"Mahana" Is not tho motto of this Nation.
Americans are practical and punctunl. They
keep their word. They are patient and forbear-
ing. rs Spain above all others has cause to
know. But this patience comes to an end mt
last. and when the end is reached 1t Is reached.
THE good old Duke Of York might march his
twenty thousand men up hill and down again.
This Nation docs not so.
Nor. indeed. II were given to dallying and
delay was there In this latest Spanish PROPOSE
ton the slightest worthy ground for postpone
ment of the settlement. Let it be granted that
the offer OF an armistlce was made In good
faith and was not. as the news dispatches had
II. an offer Of uncondltona. armistice nj Wash
ington and OF very Extensively conditioned
armlstlcc AZ Madrid. There was still no lndica-
ton that It would bc accepted by the Cubans.
In fact there We're the strongest reasons for
believing It would not be accepted. In That
case the situation would not have been changed
IN tho least degree And whether they accept
ed II or not did not greatly concern the United
States. II is not five days nor a five months
armistlcc that this country demands. The
United States Is not going 10 war with Spain
If II docs so nj ALL merely to compel her TO
grant an armlstcc. nor IS it going To war with
The insurgents To compel them 10 accept one
That was made clear long ago SPANS last
offer WAS nothing but a repetition Of what This
country had already declared would not be ac
ton of It with surprise. Spain ought to realize
that her offer Of It was little less than an az
front 10 the United States
The time for tcmpOrizng and Oulbhllng Is
past. but not without due warning Warning
was given In the Ten Years War that a re-
newal Of such conditions would be ntolerable.
Warning was given by tho last Administration.
and SPANS only answer TO Il was an Increase
Of the very evils against which This country
protested. Warning was given by this Admin
istratlon promptly upon It's accession and again
In December last. IN tho most solemn manner
And the De LONE letter and the Maine mas
sacre were part OF tho reply Il would have
been Idle 10 walt another hour. II 10 Spain
never seems the choice momentous I'll the
judgment hath passed by" that Is not our fault.
The duty OF this milton IL clear Tho time for
its fulnlment has arrived Spain NAV still cry
Mariana" For her sway In Cuba weighed Ia
the balance and found wanting, there can be
no 70 morrow.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-12
GROUNDS OF TNTERVTNTION

The first ground named by the President on
which he would intervene in Cuba is that Of
humanity. He speaks Of the "barbarities. blood
shed. starvation and horrible miseries" prevail
ing in the island. To deny or 10 doubt that
they exist Is idle. The reports of competent
and credible observers like Senator Proctor and
the detailed official statements Of United States
consuls In Cuba, now made public. prove beyond
all contradiction the existence of state OF
affairs OF which the horror cannot be- cxag-
gerated Ii does not matter who are the more
responsible for IT,, the Spanlards or the Cubans
What Is essential Is that neither Spanlards nor
Cubans are able or willing to end IT, II II is
to be ended. this country must undertake the
job. To decline TO undertake il. and TO regard
the state OF Cuba as something with which we
have no concern. would be to place this Nation
outside the pale OF civilized humanity. So long
as we are men nothing that concerns the well
fare Of our fellow-men can be Indifferent to us
The second and third grounds are the neces
sity Of protecting American citizens in Cuba, in
life and property and commerce. The lives OF
some Americans have been lost. and Of many
others menaced, while millions OF dollars in
American property and trade have been de-
stroyed. 1t Is no answer to say Americans
should stay out OF Cuba. Americans have a
right to 60 to Cuba and to invest money there
That right Is guaranteed to them by solemn
treaty. 1t has for three years been hagrantly
violated. 1t must now be vindicated. II not,
II Americans are TO be barred out Of Cuba,
then Cuba Is no longer part OF the civilized
world but a savage State, to be "opened' 10
civilized Intercourse, even as Japan was once
opened. That is n process for which there are
wit vyh ho nj Oh
States Is quite familiar
The fourth ground Is well described by the
President as OF the utmost importance. for It
involves the self-preservation OF the United
States itself The periodical wars in Cuba
have entaed upon this Government enormous
expense. caused It unspeakabe irritation and
anxiety, and menaced Its peace and integrity
in the gravest manner. 1t Is intoerabe that
this country should be compelled to keep It's
Navy on a seml-war footing year after year.
and to be made party to ncessant chickering's
and threatenngs. This Nation wants peace,
not only within Its own borders. but In all lands
near that the shock of their quarrels is felt
here. 1t has the same objection 10 war In Cuba
that householder would have to incendiarism
In the house next door. If Its ncighbors will
not refrain from menaclng It's peace and safety
it will be amply Justified by Natures first
law" in expelling them from the premises they
SO ill-use
These are the grounds. 1t is not conceivable
that there Is a single American OF intelligence
to whom they do not convlncngy appeal nor
that there is foreign Power that would not
instantly appreciate and act upon them were
they to exist In Its own case Upon them the
President may confidently appeal to the SUP
of fho NIT nd tho Watt
ity await the Judgment Of the world
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-12
THE CONSULAR REPORTS.

The consular reports on the Cuban situation
made public by the President yesterday are
horrible and sickening revelation Of the condi-
ton Of that unhappy island, and must carry
conviction to every intelligent and humane per-
son that there is no possible hope OF enduring
peace and conditions supportable for this coun.
try but by cessation Of Spanish efforts at DOM
nation to be secured peaceably II possible,
forcibly II necessary. The misery and des0la-
ton exceed words. Men who have carefully
avoided all bias and exaggeratlon, whose man
ner carries conviction Of their truthfuness and
Judgment confess the suffering to be beyond
description, and agree that Cuba presents a
scene Of desolation and slaughter such as the
Western Hemisphere has never seen before
1t is the fashion to find fault with our consular
service. and doubtless its training and meth
DDS might be improved But through this try
ing time General Lee and Messrs McGarr,
Brice Hyatt and Barker have reflected great
credit on their country, and this correspond
ence shows that whatever be the defects Of our
system. 1t has not deprived us Of worthy repre-
sentatives in Cuba
The consular reports make 1t perfectly plain
that there Is no possibility of peace with Spain
In Cuba Everything Is tied in hard knot
The Spanish troops are almost as badly of
as the reconcentrados. They cannot conquer
neither can they be conquered by the insur-
gents. They con stay there and starve and die
so long as the home Government can find re-
cruits to send over. Autonomy is a failure.
The situation Is hopeless. And yet the Span
iards, with Uncomfortable obstinacy and fatu.
ity, continue to cling to the shreds Of sover-
eighty to no purpose but to struggle hopelessly.
General Lee gives full credit to the honest pur-
poses Of General Blanco and his assistants, but
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-12
TIE COMING ENROLMENT.

The Republicans OF the County OF New York
are tak,ng timely action 10 secure a large en-
| rolment OF the reform element OF the parry I'M
| der the provisions OF the new Primary law
which do away with both the Machine enroll
| ment and that made under the auspices OF the
| Comcoittee of Fifty-t!rce new roll is to be
made. which will belong TO no faction, but VIII
be prepared under State authority by officials
sworn 10 do their duty md liable 10 criminal
| prosecution for any failure. Thus. for the first
time there is offered the opportunity for 4 united
party organization, in which the actual VIII Of
Republican voters can be freely EXPIRE sscd and
made effective in spite OF the schemes OF bosses.
More than ever. therefore, IS It the duty Of
| every honest Republican 10 enroll and take part
| in the primaries, that the pure and represent
alive party which has been the burden OF his
dreams may come to exist IN fact
II cannot be too strongly impressed on Re
publlcans who object TO machine methods that
they have now n direct personal responsibility
for these methods. Hitherto the appeal TO them
to take part in primaries has been too often
met with the not unreasonable answer that they
were powerless, for II they took the
trouble TO enroll the boys would cheat them
Now system has been established which It
Is hoped will stop that cheating and make party
anagement n simple question Of honest ma
jOrties. 1t may not accomplish that object.
The Nachinists may find n way to beat It.
Only experience can demonstrate the value Of
the law But on It's face It is fair, and every
honest Republican Is in duty bound TO take adj
vantage OF it to remove from his party the re-
pr0ach OF boss rule. Apparently the Machln-
lists are confident that they need not attempt
to beat the law, but can safely trust TO the
traditional inactivity Of the better element"
II they are right the better element" deserves
to be outvoed and misgoverned until 1t learns
to take care OF Itself; but, unfortunately, the
evil effects OF bad government are not con-
fined to the honest people who neglect their POI
lltlcal duty but visited also on those who
have worked hard to benefit their fellows. 1t
chances nre against enrolling a proper proper
ton of the AntlMachine Republican voters.
md extraordinary efforts will he required Mt
this time Of year TO awake the interest Of tho
men who last fall showed that. when really
aroused, they far outnumber the adherents OF
the Machine.
or the 10000 voters who supported Seth
Low probably 100000 are Republicans entitled
to enrolment under the new law, while ut the
same time a large number OF the 100000 who
voted for General Tracy did so from regard
for regularity" while being utterly out Of SYM
pathy with Machine methods and anxious TO
change the organization management. 1t Is in
the power Of these men to rule the party in this
city absolutcly-unless the new law should ut
terly break down in its operation. which Is not
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-12
COLORED VOTERS APPEAL TO CONGRESS.

RECONSTRUCTION CoMPAcTs BROKEN. THEY SAY.
IN MISSISSIPPI AND SOUTH CAROLINA
Washington. April IA petition signed by prom-
ncnt coored men OF Mississippi South Carolina and
Louisiana was presented to-day to the Senate Com
mittec Privileges and Elections. requesting the
committee to extend its report a recent Senate
resolution particularly to the considera don of tho
franchise features of the completed constitutions
OF South Carolina and Mississippi now In force and
the changes contemplated as to the suffrage In
Louisiana. Attention Is called 10 the fact that the
reconstruction constitutions adopted by the States
OF Mississippi. South Carolina and Louisiana and
ratified by Congress could be altered or
changed 80 as TO abrdge the right OF suffrage to
any citizen OF the United States who entitled
TO such suffrage by the terms OF the constitutions
Notwithstanding this express inhibition OF change
in the constitutions relative to the right OF suffrage
the petition asserts that changes have already been
made In the constitutions Of Mississippi and South
Carolina. and that similar scheme for the dis
Reimbursement OF colored voters Is now being con-
sdered by the Constitutional Convention OF Loulsl-
ana. The committee Is requested to report n meas
uro favoring the investigation OF the provisions
proposed by the Louisiana convention and the pres
ent constitutions Of Mississippi and South Carolina.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-12
PERSONAL.
His heart was cold as an icicle.
And he killed n man with Il bicycle.

Tho fire in HadIey. Mass. last week. destroyed
the old house IN which General Joe Hooker was
born.
Tho Rev Charles T.. Stowe. the OF Harriet
Beechcr Stowe has given to tho Connecticut His
torlcal Society the petition started by the Duchess
Of Sutherland and signed by thousands OF English
women, asking the American women to do all In
their power TO abolish slavery In this country.
Mile Valentine About. a daughter OF Edmond
About has started II school OF millinery for appren-
tees and amateurs.
The committee OF tho Congregational Union OF
Mackcnnal to be the delegate OF that organiaa tion
at the triennial council OF tho American churches
In July. at Portland ore.
Mrs Mabnla Bentley OF Bloomington. ILL.,. whose
mother was with Daniel Boone at the siege OF
Boonesboro and whose mothers sister was the
first white child born In Kentucky. has just en-
tered upon her second century OF life and is un-
usually active.
There are two Winston ChurchlUs now more or
less before tho public. One OF them Is a graduate
OF tho Naval Academy NJ Annapolis. but Is now a
newspaper man In 81. Louis. and is the author OF
n novel called The Celebrity" The other Is a
son OF the late Lord Randolph Churchill, and has
written book called THE Mainland Field Force"
based on his observations as n correspondent OF
THE London Daily Telegraph"
According to THE Philadelphia Ledger" Cap
tain Otto Sverdrup. the Arctic explorer writes
that his projected expedition this summer to Green
land will not interfere with Lieutenant Peary's
expedition. either In obtaining dogs and the ser
vices OF Esquimaus. or with his explorations. For
some time" he says. Il have been aware Of the
fact that Lieutenant Peary and some of his fol-
lowers are harboring unfriendly feelings toward
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-12

only in itself and In relation to Its writer's Ad-
miniaration hut as well In the capacity OF the
latest chapter In the great volume Of American
policy. Not idly does the President refer to
the traditional policy Of the Government
Young as IS this Nation compared with some
others, It has on most important topics long
fixed policy which for permanency and con-
sistence is not surpassed by that OF any other.
We have hitherto rehearsed the salient features
Of American policy toward Spain and Cuba
from the time Of Jefferson to the present day
The President is able to quote sound prccedents
for the course be recommends. dating back two
generations and commended by the common
sense Of the Nation and by the logic Of subse-
quent events. TO differ from him would be to
repudiate them and TO repudiate a century Of
American history
The message Is at once temperate and brave.
peacp-lovlng but not war-fearing. 1t Is not a
turning over Of the whole matter to Con-
gress. 1t IS, on the contrary an explicit pro-
posal OF positive and aggressive policy. and an
unqualified request for authority TO execute IT,
The President realizes that he cannot act alone
The Constitution requires the cooperation or
Congress in declaring war. And though the
plan he proposes does not In terms declare
war. he sees clearly that II may lead TO It, or
to a state of war with or without formal
declaration. Rightly he asks for such mo-
mentous plans the sanction OF the peoples repre-
sentatves and seeks exact compliance with
the spirit as we'll as the letter OF the Constitu-
ton. Such sanction given. he will assume, as
Chief Executive and rs Commanderin-C Chief
Of the Army and Navy. the fullest responsibility
for the task entailed. He has done his utmost
within the constitutional limits OF his office.
Beyond those limits he cannot go until Congress
opens the door He does not shrink from such
opening. He invites and urges It. And
he stands ready, as he says, to execute every
obligation imposed upon him by the Constitri-
ton and the law, whether rs he and all true
men hope, II lie within the paths Of honorable
peace. or. az may by SPANS intolerance be
forced. upon the dreadful field OF civil war.
or such readiness the message Is an ample
token. 1t Is the more impressive and the
more potent for every hours delay. 1t abun-
dainty justifes the Nations past waiting for 1t.
1t powerfully bespeaks the Nations continued
and unwavering confidence in It's chosen head.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-12
Hmusements.


ACADEMY OF MUSIC-S:15-The White Heather
AMERICAN THEATRE-s:l6-Binee Taylor ana rag
acci
BIJoU THEATRE--s:i5-The Old Coat
BROADWAY THEATRr-S:15-The Hghwayman.
CARNEGIE uALlr-S-Corcort.
CASINO-s:l0-ln Gay New York.
DALYS THEATRt-s:l5-The Country GIL.
EDEN MrSEE-Wax Works. Grand Concerts ana Cine
riatoEraph
EMPIRE THEATRES :I5-The Conquerors.
FIFTH AVENUE TIIEATRE-S-Love Finds the way
and 4 Biz Of ola Chelsea
GARDEN TIIEATRE-S.15-ThcM Master.
GARRICK THEATRES .20-The Little Minister.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE-s-What Happened 10 JorsA
HARLEM OPERA HOUSES :1J--The Lady OF Lyons
HERALD SQUARE DECENTRALIZATION CARO-.
IRVING PLACE THEATRE S30-The Little Lamps
KElTFS--Noon 10 IL p. m.-Naudsville.
XNICKERBOC'KER NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Broe-Elect
ROSTER e. RlALS--S-Naucevile
LYCErN-S :3O-I'he Moth and the Flame -
MADISON SQUARE GAIDEN-2-S:l5-Buflao BINS
Wild West.
NATIONAL ACADEMY or DTSIGN-Day and evening
Exhibition II oil Painting
OxYMPIA-s:1o--Primrose & Vests Minstrels
PASToRS--l2 80 10 IL y. m.--Naucevile;
PEOCTOR'S-e:30 a. m. 70 II p. m.-Veudeviue
SAM T. JACKS THFATRE-2-S-l,uresQue
wArI.ACK'S TIIEATPE-The Rostonane.
18th STREET THEATRE-S-The Girl from Paris
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-12
RLANCO'S PROCLAMATION.

The proclamation Of Captain-Gcreral Blanco
ordering a cessation OF hostilitles in Cuba as
communicated by the Spanish Minister In
Washington 10 the State Department. begins
with these words: His Majesty's Government,
welding TO the reiterated wish expressed by
Ills Holiness the Pope" 1t Is to be expected
that the frantic few who are resolved that the
objects for which our Government has been
contending shall not he accomplished In Cuba
without war between the United States and
Spain Will feed their rancor on this formal
avowal that whatever is conceded Is conceded
to the Pope. and not to the President. 1t seems
proper, therefore, to declare promptly the be
lief that n vast majority Of intelligent Amcri-
cans will pay little heed to the form OF the
Captain Generals order while weighing It's
substance with the utmost care II. containing
within Itself the germ OF a satisfactory conclu-
sion, 1t shall lead TO the establishment Of indis-
pensable conditions in Cuba. our people will
not trouble themselves about General Blanco's
specification of the influence which inspired II.
The Presidents purpose is precisely declared
in these words OF his message TO secure n
full and final termination Of hostlties be-
tween the Government OF Spain and the peo-
"plc OF Cuba. and to secure In the island the
establishments OF a stable government capable
"of maintaining order and observing It's inter
national obligations. insuring peace and tr1n-
"quilty and the security OF It's citizens ms well
"as our own" These things. and nothing more
are demanded "in the name OF humanity, IN
"the name OF civilization. in behalf OF endan-
"gered American interests" II Spain, reduced
10 extremites by her own folly. w!ckedness
and incompetence, Is able to derive comfort
from considering that she saves her pride by
proclalming that she yields 10 the wishes ot
the Pope, .it ~ not necessary for us 10 get hot
over that Interpretation OF her conduct Tho
ends 10 which our Governments answering
efforts have been directed are not obscured by
a mere phrase. and would not be loss valuable
II so facilitated That an encctual course Of
treatment for the evils which have become IN
sufferable has been begun IN Cuba by the Gov
ernor-Cienerals proclamation remains extremely
doubtful but II would be Irrational and dlscrcd-
table for this country 10 resent form az words
the official use OF which may possibly promote
an acceptable settlement.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-12

the detailed reports from him and the other
consuls exhibit their utter powerlessness either
TO conquer to pacfy by concession, or even to
enforce n humane policy in dealing with nom
combatants. Right about Havana 14OO out
OF LOO died In three months in the bitches.
and not only were the women exposed to
starvation, but 10 worse evils. In January
100000 had died OF starvation in the four west
ern provinces General Banco revoked the re-
concentration order, but II did no good. The
boasted large zones OF cultivation never exist
cd. The wretches were not allowed 10 leave
the towns without passes which cost money
they did not possess and even if they did get
into the country they had no means of livell-
hood. SO, In spite OF the more humane pol
ICY the nOn-combatants had nothing 10 look for
but death except as help came from the United
States Spain cannot feed her own soldiers,
and after giving a few Of the recommendations
half ratons for n few days General Blanco or
dered the supplies discontinued. Yet when we
send supplies we find the alcaldes ordered to re-
fuse us NIL information about the starving. and
the rabid military commanders OF subordinate
rank make relief Ineffective. Consul Barker re-
ports that in Sagua the military commander
land other military officers positively refuse 10
ALLOW the reconccnrados 10 whom | am issu-
ling food in It's raw state 10 procure fuel with
(Which to cook the food In addition. they
"prohbted this class Of people II am only Civ
ling food to about one-fifth OF the destitute
"the authorities have quit nltogether) from
gathering vegetables cultivated within tho
protection Of the forts telling them the Amerl
leans propose to feed you and to the Ameri-
"
Only the perusaI OF these letters in detail can
give any idea Of the unspeaknble condition In
Cuba. II anybody doubts the right or the duty
OF this country let him read them. The plct-
ures drawn leave 1t no longer matter OF doubt
that the parties 10 the quarrel are helpless to
end IL. We must cut the Gordlan knot.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-12

to be expected Whatever the Machlnsts might
do in time to get around 1t or to drive indie
pendent Republicans from participation in poll
tics, there is no likelihood that at the start the
reform elements could not make their will law
IL they came forward and formed majority
Of those taking part in the primaries. On them
Is the responsibility. From April II tc April
so they have opportunity to take control OF the
Republican party Of this city If they so desire
If through sloth or carelessncss they lose their
chance they will have made decent government
more than ever difficult to secure, and given to
Machine men warrant for saying that they
are natural rulers, with whom the people arc
content.