The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-06
Es0LIsn COMMENT ON THE STU.
ATaoN.

EuGLIsH CONTENT ON THE STU.
ATaON.
II u exceedingly interesting to OBJ
serve the trend Of thought Of the Eng
lish newspapers when they seriously
discuss The controversy between the
United States and Cuba English news
papers are very much like our own =
the respect that their casual comment
upon passing events il not always 70
be taken a. . criterion of their opinion
when they more seriously consider mo-
lives and consequences. II we want 70
learn the true public sentiment we must
put aside the metropolitan daily news
papers and turn to the provincial press
and the weekly newspapers. There We
ind less consideEattOn for the sensation
Of the hour or for merely ephemeral out
bursts to which I'll communities are
subject.
As m example Of deep insight into
the conditions which are creating the
present uar-like spirit we may quote
from the London Spectator. which has
long held prominent position among
English newspapers. Commenting upon
the probability Of = conflict between
this nation and Spain. II says:
ssit = hardly necessary for us to say that
Huar takes place our sympathies viii b
With our own desh and blood, and net
merely because they are our own desh and
blood. but because We believe that the rule
OF Spain In Cuba u an outrage on human
lily. We have no abstract or sentimental
prejudice In favor Of the insurgents. but II
u clear that the men whom Spain sends to
Cuba are utterly UNIT 20 rule their fellow
creatures. The native Cubans may not b
very worthy net Of people. but this does
not alter the fact that Spanish rule has
turned the isiand into = hell upon earth"
Another newspaper called attention TO
the fact that In IN island the size Of
Ireland with a population Of only 1,5OO,-
600. some 22o. 900 disciplined men are un-
able to put down body of about 10000
rebels; yet the English turned Napoleon
out Of the peninsula with a fifth OF the
force which Spain now possesses in
Cuba
Yet another English commentators
says that to permit any longer prolonx-
alton Of the war and to forbid the re-
turn Of peace to the miserable island is
a crime: and III America chooses to un-
dertake the work OF putting a stop 10
the hideous cruelties practiced in Cuba
ali Englishmen should applaud her. and
should refuse to inquire too narrowly
into the reasons which have Influenced
her statesmen In putting pressure on
Spain.''
Some newspapers have q sufficiently
Intelligent comprehension Of the condi-
tons to foresee that even after the
United States shall have secured the
freedom Of Cuba a grave responsibility
remains. They justify the natural hes
itation which any power might have In
undertaking a war whose consequences
are not altogether clear. With the ex-
perienee that England has had in being
compelled to shoulder the work OF
bringing an inchoate community out
OF the Inevitable difficulties arising
from an incompetency for self-govern-
ment. they apprehend that although the
United States might be willing to see
Cuba free 1t would suffer from a con-
diticn Of independent disorder In the
island. Then comes the question. What
In to be donee
II IL foreseen that there Is a probable
ity Of Cuba being admitted as two states
OF the American Union which. should
Hawaii be also admitted as a state
would Introduce into the senate six rem
resentAtives chosen at the best by an
inferior and degraded population, who
are not at To help govern the American
people and might be nominated by some
great capitalist combination. One writer
who practically takes this view. SAYS
that although il may be extremely diff
aeuit 20 avoid the inevitable troubles
Engiishnien must understand that 1t il
a matter entirely Of domestic concern,
aud cannot properly be discussed out
side Of Americas own household
All these comments are very sign.f-
cant They show not only a sympathy
with cur concern for Cuha's welfare.
bur form an acknowledgment 81 the
undeahted righ; 81 the United States
To pursue such a policy with regard To
the American hemisphere as shall seem
hss, 10 us.