The herald., 1898-04-10
MINISTER'S SERMON ON THE WAR WITH SPAIN

, vear like the last three months will de-
populate the island save the Spanish ana
insurgent armies. The United states, IN
the name Of humanity. at whatever cost,
should demand that Spain should rescind
this law and permit the paci;icoes to go at
| once to their farms and places of business.
where they could In a few months grow
| food that would stop the famine. This de-
mand should be supported by all the force
and power of our government Such
just demand would be approved by every
nation of the globe, and Spain. feeling its
righteousness, would comply with our re-
quest without firing gun.
| Spain in both wars has deliberately
chosen the policy of extermination, and
has done everything possible to kill off the
inhabitants. 1t is a noteworthy fact that
not one of the 6OOO 900 who have died from
| starvation ever shouldered q rifle against
| Spain.
| Campos, who was first sent to quell the
rebellion. was recalled because he was too
| gallant man to carry out so cruel pol
| Icy. The American people are now asking
| the question. has the loss of life and prop
erty been sufficient? Are we to continue
! our delay for diplomacy's sake, while the
death rate is increasing? This Is the de-
sire of Spain. The disaster to the Maine,
| the De LONE and Lee incidents sink into
insignificance by the side of the SYSTEM
| attic, wholesale murder of the women and
children of an entire nation. Our de-
mands in this matter should be decisive,
| immediate. and backed up by our army
and navy.
! There has been some talk about giving
Cuba belligerent rights. and the senate
has already passed n resolution to that
effect. There are different opinions as to
the effect of such action by our govern
ment. II belligerency was declared, Gu
ban vessels would have the same rights as
those of Spain; her flag would be as much
respected; her captured soldiers would be
entitled to treatment as prisoners of war,
instead of being executed or sent to penal
servitude; and she would enjoy the same
rights as Spain to purchase all munitions
of war. also to borrow money.
According to international law there are
three things necessary to secure belliger-
ency-a permanent seat of government,
occupation of a seaport, and general en-
gagements of armies Cuba has not COM
piled with all these requirements She
has not deemed it wise to weaken her
forces in the field in order to garrison q
capital and sea port.
right, according to international law.
Numerous instances could be given. as the
control of Turkey by the European pow
ers. their preventing Greece from taking
Crete last summer. and their refusing to
allow Japan to retain Port Arthur.
THE OUTLOOK
Spain Is determined to conquer Cuba,
while the insurgents are just as determine
ed to have their freedom. Impartial
judges are general in the opinion that
Spain cannot conquer the island. Her
financial condition is in the way. She
has been driven to loan after loan until she
is in bankruptcy. Marshall Blanco's de-
mands from Cuba are eight million dol
lars per month for war expenses, and half
that much on account of $s0,000,000 ar
rears. Spain's annual budget is about
$l55, 900 900, and the annual interest on their
debt is Sc. 900 900. The debt through Cuba
is about $500. 900 900. This Is truly an
alarming state of affairs, but instead of
hinderin9 a war with the United States,.H u
plight of a nation the more likely 1t is to
fight. If she should lose Cuba by war
with a foreign power she would no doubt
| repudiate the Cuban war debt.
The climate is against Spanish success.
The rainy season will soon begin, which
by disease will work havoc on the Spanish
troops. especially those who are coming
fresh from Spain. Besides. these troops
have not been paid for months, ana many
of them have died from insufficient and
improper food. CHARLES NJ. ALVORD.