Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-04-16

the recognition Of any particular gov
eminent in cuba might subject us to
embarrassing conditions Of interna-
tional obligation towards the organiza-
ton SO recognized. In case of interven-
ton our conduct would be subject to
the approval or disapproval Of such
governn, snt; we would be required to
submit to it's direction and to assume
to 1t the mere relation of a friendly
ally When 1t shall appear hereafter
| that there is within the island a gov
eminent capable Of performing the du-
| ties and discharging the functions Of
a separate nation, and having as a
| matter of fact the proper forms and at
tributes of nationality, such govern
ment can be promptly and readily rec
ognized, and the relations and interests
of the United States with such nation
adjusted.
There remain the alternative forms
of Intervention to end the war, either as
an impartial neutral by imposing a
rational compromise between the con-
testants, or as the active ally of the
one party or the other.
AS to the first, II is not to be forgot
ten that during the last few months
the relation of the United States has
virtually been one of &Giendly interven-
ton in many ways, each not of itself
conclusive, but all tending to the exer-
ton of potential influence toward an
ultimate pacific result just and honor
able to all interests concerned. The
spirit OF all our acts hitherto has been
| an earnest, unselfish desire for peace
and prosperity in Cuba, untarnished by
| differences between us and Spain and
unstained by the blood of American
citizens.
The forcible intervention of the Uni
| ted States as a neutral, to stop the war,
according to the large dictates of hu-
mainly and following many historical
presidents where neighboring states
have interfered to check the hopeless
sacrifices of life by internecine con-
ficts beyond their borders. Is justifiable
| on rational grounds 1t involves, how
| ever, hostile constraint upon both the
parties to the contest, as well to en-
force a truce as to guide the eventual
settlement
Reasons for Intervention.
The grounds for such Intervention
may be briefly summarized as follows:
First-In the cause of humanity and
to put an end to the barbarities, blood
shed, starvation and horrible miseries
now existing there, and which the par
| ties to the conflict are either unable or
unwilling to stop or mitigate. 1t is no
answer to say this is all in another
country belonging to another nation,
and is therefore none of our business.
1t is specially our duty, for it is right at
| our door.
| GaCnnI--ANa II IN nitiZpnz in
| Cuba to afford them that protection
and indemnity for life and property
which no government there can or will
afford. and to that end to terminate the
conditions that deprive them of legal
protection.
Third-The right to intervene may be
! justified by the very serious injury to the
commerce, trade and business of our
people and by the wanton destruction
of property and devastation of the ISL
| and.
Fourth--Aid, which is of the utmost
Importance. The present condition of
affairs in Cuba is constant menace
to our peace, and entails upon this gov
eminent an enormous expense. With
such a conflict waged for years in an
island SO near us and with which our
people have such trade and business
relations-when the lives and liberty Of
our citizens are in constant danger and
their property destroyed and them
selves ruined-where our trading ves-
| sells are liable to seizure and are seized
at our very door, by warships of a for
| eign nation, the expeditions of fill
clustering that we are powerless al
together to prevent. and the irritating
questions and entanglements thus aris-
ing-all these and others that 1 need
not mention, with the resulting strain
ed relations are a constant menace to
our peace and compel us to keep on a
semi-war footing with a nation with
which we are at peace
The Destruction of the Maine.
These elements of danger and dis
order already pointed out have been
strikingly illustrated by a tragic event
which has deeply and justly moved the
American people. l have already trans
mitted to congress the report of the
naval court of inquiry on the destruc-
ton of the battleship Maine in the har-
Dor of Havana during the night of the
18th of February. The destruction of
that noble vessel has filled the ma
tional heart with inexpressible horror.
Two hundred and fifty-eight brave
sailors and marines and two officers of
our navy. reposing in the fancied Sc
curity of a friendly harbor, have been
hurled to death, grief and want brought
to their homes and sorrow to the ma
ton.
The naval court of inquiry which 1t
is needless to say commands the I'M
qualified confidence of the government,
was unanimous in its conclusion that
the destruction of the Maine was
caused by an exterior explosion, that
of a submarine mine. 1t did not as
sumo to place the responsibility. That
remains TO be fixed.
In any event. the destruction of the
| Maine. by whatever exterior cause, is
a patent and impressive proof of a
state of things in Cuba that is intol-
cradle. That condition is thus shown
to be such that the Spanish govern
ment cannot assure sufety and secur-
ity to a vessel Of the American navy
in the harbor of Havana on a mission
/ -AF