The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-01
CITY OFFICIAL PAPER.
SEATTLE. FRIDAY. APRIL 1.


The unsatisfactory feature about the
reported plan Of President Mckinley to
achieve the Independence OF Cuba by
peacefui means In the payment OF $780,
100000 indemnity by the insurgent gov
ernment to Spain. II would be unfair
70 offer criticism until Its full terms
are known. II may be assumed In adj
vance that the president will support
no measure whatever that suggests the
purchase for cash Of Cuban liberty.
fairly earned by the abundant effusion
OF blood, by heroic resistance Of famine
and al the atrocities and horrors Of
spanish warfare. by nnhesitattng Sec
rifice Of life and fireside. and by their
brave. patriotic and unselfish devotion
70 their cause under ali the temptations
Of . false security in the shape OF the
bogus offer OF autonomy Cuban lib
erty has been bought By Cuban graves
filled BY thousands Of valiant men and
helpless women and children. Why
should they pay indemnity? Is II for
the cost Of the war that has ravished
their fair island and was initiated be-
cause the unhappy Cubans refused to
bear the intolerable Spanish yoke In
n,eeknessg Or Ia 1t simply To compen-
safe the greedy Spanish for the loss of
territory they have required for years
to bear an enormous burden Of taxa
tion to rehabilitate the fortunes OF a
decaying monarchy? No. Spain rich
~ deserves To lose Cuba. II appears
plain that without interference from
the United States the Cuban people will
complete the conquest OF the island
and expel their oppressoys. Does the
United States propose to suggest to
them that they surrender their splendid
chance for final complete victory. and
10 compel them besides to accompany
the surrender with the payment OF a
great sum Of money?
The trouble with peaceful mediation
by the United States. and especially a
recommendation that the Insurgents ac-
cept any sort Of compromise, Is tina. a
responsibility is thus assumed for the
future fnltillment of any plan that may
be adopted. II the Cubans arc Induced
by any representations OF the United;
States government To leave the terms
OF their independence 10 negotiation
and not to the arbitrament CT war. we
shall always he considered in some
measure accountable for the character
and stability of the Cuban government.
We do not want TO be Cuha's guardian.
IT must make It's own terms and con-
troll Its own destinies. The present
duty Of the United States is To stop the
inhuman war being waged at Its very
doors II Ii duty imposed by civ!lixa-
ton and humanity. Experience with
the Spanish has taught us that X we
temporsze. and secure an arsnlssice. or
suffer them Ia retain the smallest hold
on the unfortunate islanders. the same
spectacle OF Spanish hsrharity Will Be re-
peased In time.
There Ii no satisfactory way 10 settle
the Cuban question except by oblIging
the Spanish e. withdraw. IL the Gu
bans ara then willing to assume pay
ment OF what may be iegitimateiy
termed the Cuban debt. shat Is their
affair. rot ours. Let there FIRST be
peace. Subsequent negotiations be-
tween the cahans and Spanish can be
conducted in such manner as they
themselves may devise