The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-01-03
|SPEAK THE WORD!
The Unrest and Disquiet in
Cuba and the Philippines
(WHICH THREATENS)ISo20ER
If NOT WAR!
Could Be AIIayed By a Word From
President Mckinley.

The Cubans had made arrangements
for q joint celebration with our army.
on the departure OF the Spanish troops |
from Cuba and the entrance of our
army into Havana, the first of January.
Gen. Brooke, in command Of the
American forces, issued . proclamation,
emanating from Washington, forbidding
any display by the. Oubans, ,and forbid
ding any Cuban troops to enter the
city or to take part in the parade.
This proclamation has caused . deep
feeling among the Cuban patriots. They
say it is . sad result of their twenty
years of fighting for liberty, that they
are forbidden to even rejoice over the
departure Of their oppressors. They
say they had not fought for change Of
masters, but for independence, and they
submit with bad grace only to su-
perior force, ON the advice of their
coolest leaders, and with tho hope that
| al will end for the best.
Gen. Brooke answered and tried to
, allay this dissatisfaction, by stating that
. his order was in the interest of peace
and order-that the feeling between the
Cuban and Spanish residents was 80
bitter that 1t was feared that in the
enthusiasm and excitement of the hour,
riot, arson and murder might result,
which our army might have to suppress,
at great loss to the people Of the city
and to our troops. In view of this ap-
preheneion, he had forbidden the parade
of the Cubans, till our forces have
thoroughly occupied the city, and the
police arrangements have been 90
thoroughly established as to preserve
order. Then he will permit the Cubani
to have parade such as they want.
Saturday, Gen. Brooke, issued proc
lamation as Military Cover nor of Cuba
stating the object Of our country in
sending him with an army into the
island, and the matter is 10 important
, We give that portion of it entire. he
says
"Coming among you as the repre-
sentative Of the President, in further
ance and in continuation of the humane
purpose with which my country inter
: fered to put an end to the distressing
, conditions in this island, deem i
proper to say that the object of tn
present government is to give protection
to the people and security to property
0 to restore con6dence; to encourage the
people to resume the pursuits of peace
to build up waste plantations, to resum
lcommerclal traffic and to afford full pro
: lection in the exercise of all civil an,
: religious rights.
Q "To this end the protection of th
q United States Government will be di
lrected, and every possible provision wi
be made to carry out these object
g through the channels of civil admins
70 tration, although under military COZ
}. troll.
Benefit OF People.
o "In the interest and for the benefit {
! all the people of Cuba and those pos
sessed Of rights and property in tn
= island, the civil and criminal code
It which prevailed prior to the relinquist
ment Of Spanish sovereignty will renal
n in force with such notifications an
charges % may from time to time b
found necessary in the interest of goo
q government.
It "The people of Cuba, without regar
to previous affiliations, are invited An
urged to cooperate in these objects b
the exercise of moderation, concillatio
II and good will one toward another; An
=, . hearty accord in our humanitaria
v purposes will insure . kind and b'
a nefcent government.
"The Military Governor of the islam
+ will also be pleased to confer with thoI
D. who may desire to consult him Q
bt matters of public interest"
D. This is emintly just and fair, but
or the present unsettled and irritatil
Il. condition of affairs in Cuba, and
of view of the dissatisfaction that exis
ne among the Cuban patriots, it seems
,y NJ it would have been wise thing
be have said in this proclamation, th'
ID order having been restored, the Unit
u States would at once address itself to &
an pun pose laid down in the resolutions
Congress declaring war, to wit: I
establishment of an Independent Goucrr'na'
in Cuba. This would have done me
to restore order, sllay the feeling
n unrest and doubt that exists, and
lss secure the hearty cooperation of t
mt patriotic Cubans and their army, tn
". all professions of good will and promis
its to restore order and secure justice.
o. 1t is the intention of the Administrati
rs. to grant the Cubans independence, vi
ed not say 90 plainly and ask their cooper
Of ton. II it is the intention of the A
srs ministration to carry out the express
he purpose of Congress in its declaration
us war, to secure the Cubans an indeper
ny emit government, there can be nothi
full lost, but much gained bys prompt .
he uneouivocal declaration Of that purpo
That which is true of the situation
de, Cuba, il also true of the situation in I
eir ippines. The Philippines were virtua
/ . our allies against Spain. We could I
,px turn them over to Spain. They are ,
the titled to their own Government. f
by We owe it to them and to ourselves
leir hold aiprotsctorste oyer them, till Il
can MAINTAIN . free government Of th