The National tribune., 1903-05-07
THE AMERICAN
SPANISH WAR
Continued from first page,


less positive test can, be applied to the
greater act than to tie lesser; while, on
the other hand, the Influences and cOnse-
quences of the struggle upon the internal
policy of the recognizing State, which
form important factors when the recog-
milton of belligerency b concerned are
secondary, if not rightly eliminable, fac
tors when the real question is whether the
community claiming recognition is or is
not independent beyond peradventure.
= NOR FROM THE STANDPOINT OF En-
PEDIENCY
do l think it would be wise or prudent for
this Government to recognize at the pres
ent time the independence of the so-called
necessary in order to enable the United
States to intervene and pacify the island.
To commit this country now to the recog-
nitien of any particular Government in
Cuba might subject us to embarrassing
conditions of international obligation to-
ward the organization so recognized. In
case of Intervention our conduct would be
subject to the approval or disapproval OF
such Government. We would be required
to submit to its direction and to assume to
it the mere relation of n friendly ally.
When it shall appear hereafter that
there is within the island Government
capable of performing the duties and dis
charging the functions of n separate ma
ton, and having. as a halter of fact, the
proper forms and attributes of nationality.
such Government can be promptly and
readily recognized and the relations and in
terests 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 Il rational
compromise between the contestants. or rs
the active ally of the one party or the
other.
AS to the first. it is not to be forgotten
that during the last few months the re-
latiOn of the United States has virtually
been one of friendly intervention in many
ways. each not of itself conclusive. but all
tending to the exertion of Il potential in
fucnce toward an ultimate pacific result,
just and honorable to all interests con-
ccrned. The spirit of all orr acts hither-
to 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, citi-
ZenS.
TIE FORCIBLE INTERVENTION
of the United States as n neutral to stop
the war, according to the large dictates
of humanity and following many historical
nrecedents where neighboring States have
interfered to check the hopeless sacrifices
of life by internecine conflicts beyond their
borders, is justifable on rational grounds.
1t involves, however, hostile constraint
upon both the parties to the contest as
well to enforce n truce as to guide the
eventual settlement.
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. bloodshed,
starvation and horrible miseres now exist
ing there, and which the parties to the
conflict are either unable or unwilling to
stop or mitigate. 1t lao answer to say
this is all in another country. belonging
to another nation. ana is therefore none
OF our business. 1t islspecially our duty,
for it is right at our door.
Second We owe it TO our citizens 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 peo-
pie, and by the wanton destruction of
property and devastation of the island.
Fourth, and which is of the utmost i'm
portance The present condition of affairs
in Cuba is n constant menace to our peace,
and entails upon this Government 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 dam
ger aud their property destroyed and them
selves ruined-where our trading vessels
are liable to seizure and are seized at our
very door by war-ships of a foreign ma
ton, the expeditions Of filibustering that
we are powerless to prevent altogether,
and the irritating questions and entangle-
ments thus arising-all these and others
that / need not mention, with the result
ing strained relations. are n constant
menace to our peace, and compel us to
keep on a semi-war footing with nation
with which we are at peace.
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE MAINE.
These clements Of danger and disorder
already pointed out have been strikingly
illustrated by a tragic event which has
deeply and justly moved the American peO-
pie. | have already transmitted to Con-
gress the report of the naval Court of In
qIiiry on the destruction of the battieship
Maine in the harbor of Havana during the
night OF the 18th Of February. The de-
struction of that noble vessel has filled the
National heart with inexpressible horror.
Two hundred and fifty-eight brave sailors
and marines and two officers of our Navy,
repOsing in the fancied security of a
friendly harbOr, have been hurled to death,
grief and want brought to their homes and
sorrow to the Nation.
The Naval Court of Inquiry, which, it
is needless to say, commands the unquali-
fled confidence of the Government. was
unanimous in its conclusion that the de-
structiOn of the Maine was caused by an
exterior explosion, that Of submarine
mine. 1t did not assume to place the re-
spOnsibility. 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 intOlerable. That
| condition is thus shown to be such that
the Spanish Government can not assure
safety and security to vessel of the
American Navy in the harbor of Havana
| on mission of peace. and rightfully there.
Further referring in this connection to
recent diplomatic correspondence, dis
patch from our Minister to Spain of the
26th ultimo, contained the statement that
the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs
| assured him positively that Spain will do
all that the highest honor and justice re-
quire in the matter of the Maine. The
reply above referred to of the 31St p'timo
also contained an expression Of the readi-
ness of Spain to submit to an arbitration
all the differences which can arise in this
| matter, which is subsequently explained
by the note Of the Spanish Minister mt
Washington of the 10Th instant, as fol-
Iauc. I