The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-03
reports of the Committees.


the Cuban matter. He said the President
had done. and was stil doing, all he
could in behalf of peace that would be
honorable to the country. and that if he
failed in his efforts Congress would have
a better excuse than it then had for leg
islation that would lead to war. The di-
plomatic correspondence with Spain has
come to an end, and the President has
failed 10 get such concessions from her
as are satisfactory to Congress. Early this
week, therefore, probably tomorrow, the
President viii send the correspondence
TO Congress, together with mes
sage saying that the only thing
left for the country to do is
to recognize the independence of Cuba
and assist the Cubans with our army and
navy to gain their independence. The
foreign affairs and foreign relations COM
mittees of Congress have a resolution In
harmony with the Presidents message
already prepared, and it will be reported
for the action of Congress. From present
indications there is no doubt as to what
the action of Congress will be.
We do not believe that the people want
war. When we say the people we mean
those who in one way and another would
have to bear the burdens in the event
of war Many of those who are now the
loudest in clamoring for war would be the
first, if war should come. to condemn the
administration, if we should not be as
successful in the beginning of it as it
was expected we would be. They are APP
plying all sorts of opprobrious epithets to
the administration now for holding back
a declaration of war, and they would then
heap abuse upon it for yielding to their
clamor for war.
The cause for war does not appear to
be adequate. If il were certain that the
brave men of the Maine were the victims
of Spanish treachery there would be no
voice against war. The whole country
would willingly and readily contribute its
blood and treasure TO punish Spain But
we do not know that the Spanish govern
ment had a hand in the destruction of the
Maine. We do not even krow that Spain
is responsible for the Maine disaster. We
only suspect she is.
Are we to go to war to win independence
for the Cubans? 1t is a noble undertake
ing of course to give assistance to those
who are fighting for their freedom. and
the struggling Cubans should have our
moral support, but is our government JUS
titled in sacrificing the lives of thousands
of its young men ard putting upon its
citizens a heavy burden of debt for a
sentiment? If we regard it as our duty
to see to it that the weak are not oppress-
ed by the strong we ought to utter our
protest against the policy of Russia, Ger
many and France in China. The territory
of that ancient empire is being occupied
by the foregoing powers without the con-
sent of the Chinese people.
If it is the brutal policy of Spain in her
treatment of the Cuban reconcentrados
war; it is answered that that policy has
been changed. The reconcentrados have
been permitted TO return to their homes.
Besides, the lives of our young men are
more valuable to us than those of the
reconcentrados
If we are to have war 1t should be
made a short war so that our losses from
commercial and business arrangements
would be as light as possible But are we
prepared TO make the war a short one?
Are we, in fact, really prepared for war?
If we are not the war would likely be a
long one, and the chances are that we
should meet with some reverses in the
beginning. Spain IS a weak, power and
practically bankrupt, but she is an enemy
not to be despised There is no question
of course what the result of a war with
her would be, but it would be better to
be fully prepared for war before attack
| ing her.
| There is no sentiment anywhere in the
country in favor of peace that would
not be in every respect honorable to the
United States, and everywhere the gov
eminent would be given the sheartiest sup
port IL there should be war, but Con-
gress, before plunging this country into
war, should be sure that national honor
| and the nations best interests demand il