Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 February 1901 — CUBANS THREATEN. [ARTICLE]

CUBANS THREATEN.

ISLAND SEEMS RIPE FOR ANOTHER WAR. * Natives Demand Withdrawal pf Troops and Refuse Guarantees Eelief in Washington that a Crisis in Our Relations Cannot Loni Be Deferred. The most serious question now before Congress and the President, although the people at large seem to have little appreciation of its real gravity, is rapidly coming to a.head, says a Washington correspondent. It would be impossible to exaggerate the serious concern with which the cabinet at recent meetings has discussed the Cuban situation, both as to the relations of the Cubans toward each other and of the future relations between the United States, and Cuba. There has been such an official decrying of “sensationalism” that most of the Washington •orrespondents have'refrafned from using exact words in referring to the outlook, hence the masses of the people have not appreciated how critical it really is. One word describes both the fear and the anticipation of official Washington concerning the question: War. Those who have given serious attention to the subject will regard it as almost a miracle if open ruptures between the two peoples concerned and a resort to arms by misguided Cubans is avoided. A year ago the Cubans were apparently grateful to Americans for -what 4iad been and was being done for them. Today they say that they had about attained their independence before the United States stepped in, and their charges that the United States was an interloper with sinister purposes are accompanied by covert threats of war. Not only are the Cuban factions at swords’ points with each other, but the dominant radical element has shown itself wholly unamena-, ble to the wholesome intiuences of the United States, and in the preparation of a constitution they have adopted a highhanded and insulting attitude toward this country. So far as it goes, the proposed constitution, apparently with intent, completely ignores this country, makes no provision for a naval base for us, gives uS no specific rights over Cuba’s policies, which we will assuredly demand, and reserves the right to expel any foreigner “as pernicious to the government,” and this last provision is doubtless aimed at any Americans who may become troublesome to the Cuban authorities. Cubans Talking; of War.To show that the air of Cuba is full of serious talk of war against the United States it is only necessary to quote the following extract from an editorial from one of the conservative journals of the island, El Vigilancia: “It must not be forgotten,” says El Vigilancia, “that the first cry of armed rebellion, the first shot that echoes through our fields, will be the signature—written by Cubans themselves —to the death sentence of the independence of the country. The courage, tenacity and willingness to suffer demonstrated by the greater part of the Cubans who fought against the Spanish army were magnificent. But the American army is twenty times more numerous, and American resources twenty times greater. “We would lack the suppox-t of a great nation such as we had yesterday against Spain. We would lack a refuge to which to fly; we would lack arms, ammunition, even a field in which to operate; in fact, we would have nothing with which to carry on a war except men, whom we assuredly could find among the former revolutionists. - That our ultimate victory would be impossible is indubitable. “Our long-sustained ideal would be everlastingly placed beyond our reach by the brute force of a potent race. To prevent this, to preclude the possibilities of any opening shot being fired, is a work of humanity and worthy labor for intelligent patriots.”