Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-24
SIXTEEN PAGES
SUNDAY. DECEMBER %. 1899.
ARE WE, TOO, SOLD FOR A PRcEf

Mckinley and the American. English
and French holders OF the so-called Gu
ban bonds" issued by Spain to enable
her to pursue her brutal war on Cubans
and their liberties, were strongly OPP
posed to war against Spain; and even
the popular pressure for the war would
have been unavailing but for the blow
ing up OF the Maine in the harbor of
Habana and the killing Of so many OF
our sailors by that treacherous atrocity.
ALREADY committed to the banks and
bondholders, and their schemes,
through Mark Hanna and the immense
campaign-fund he had received and
utilized in the Presidential election, Nc
Rinley had early notification that a
war on Spain, resulting in her loss OF
Cuba. would probably endanger also
the blood-money which had been adj
Ranced to Spain on the pretended
Cuban bonds by American and other
investors; and the influence Of ]. Pier
pont Morgan and others was brought to
bear on the administration to induce
It to sacrifice the Cubans to preserve
the interests OF the bondholders at
home and abroad. But the designs of
providence were not to be thwarted by
the wishes of INSCRIPTIONS spectators
in human blood and liberty. Spain lost
Cuba.
It was at once claimed that the So
called Cuban bonds attached to the ISL
Epd and that the United States should
assume end guarantee the debt, or COM
pei Cuba to pay the money advanced
to Spain to be used in the subjugation,
deaolation and slaughter OF the island
and its people; monstrous proposition.
which aroused general disgust and in
idignation as soon as it was understood
that 1t was entertained or mooted at
washington. Then 1t was said that.
under international law, If Spain had to
surrender Cuba finally, the United
States would be held responsible for the
cuban bonds" or must impose them
= on Cuban In the treaty OF peace. All
these Jobs failingi 1t is said that the
scheme for the pretended purchase of
the sovereignty of the Philippines
From Spain was connected and placed in
4 the treaty for the benefit of the Cuban
bondholders;" and It is now believed
tnet Spain did not receive dollar OF
! the alleged price, but that the whole
Z $40 600, 600 went to her bondholders, who
had furnished the Cuban blood money.
There was certainly no reason why
I the United States should buy the ISL
ands at all from anybody nor half so
much as she should buy Cuba; and II
there was any reason to buy the Phil
: ippines from Spain, much more should
4 Spain have indemnity for the loss OF
+ Cuba. The Fllipinos were rs much our
allies In the war with Spain as the
Cubans, and did at least quite as much
q against the common enemy. But the
D Filipinos had no bondholders, with n
pretended claim on them and their ISL
ands to protect them; and if the Presi-
& dent and Congress had made no express
4 pledge to respect their rights and lib
critics. as in case of the Cubans, their
8 equities were the same, and we were as
Il much bound In conscience and princi-
ple5to respect them, their land and
u rights as IL we had made n special
d promise to do so in writing and formal
4 declaration and proclamation. We had
B not fought and conquered them; but
j on the contrary, they had helped us
tight and defeat Spain, and 1t was rank
perfd Y in us to; make believe" that
ss9tsy belonged to Spain and that we had
& patchaaed thei 3 tsoYcrei gnty.,' :. from the