Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 May 1896 — UNCLE SAM AND SPAIN. [ARTICLE]

UNCLE SAM AND SPAIN.

He Puts His Foot Down on tb© posed Execution of Americans. It is not improbable, indeed it is very probable, that before the Cuban revolutionary struggle is ended this country and Spain will find themselves at war. The situation between the two countries is very strained, even the British press, usually conservative, saying that matters could not be much graver than at present. The last of the events leading up to this was the seizure by the Spaniards of a filibustering schooner, the Competitor, and the trial by court martial and sentencing to death of five American citizens who took part in it. The Spaniards had an indubitable right to seize the schooner, arrest the offenders and even try the Americans captured; but they violated treaty rights in trying them by court martial and against this act the American consul at Havana, Mr. Williams, protested. A stronger protest than his was, however, made. Secretary Olney made vigorous representations to .the Spanish Government at Madrid and in compliance with his request the Spanish Government ordered the postponement of the executions until the views of the United States as regards the application in the matter of the treaties or agreements of 1795 and 1877 shall have been presented. This probably means that a new trial and that by ordinary civil process shall be granted the prisoners. It is firmly held by the United States Government that the trial «f the men by court martial was a violation of the agreement of 1877, which provided that American citizens shall not be tried by “any exceptional” tribunal; and while Spain’s act in postponing the executions is a deference to this American view it greatly embarrasses the Spanish Government at home and abroad. At home there is danger of outbreaks, for the Spaniards in their present temper are American haters, and in Cuba Gen. Weyler is offended at the conciliatory action of his Government and has sought to resign his office as commander-in-chief. His resignation has, however, not been accepted. While, doubtless, the incident will close pacifically, it shows that the situation is strained and that not much is needed to embroil the two countries in war.