Worcester Daily Press

"AS OTHERS SEE US."

While the American "popular indignation" at the outrageous acts of the Spanish volunteers in Cuba speaks well for the humanity of Americans, the loud cries for a declaration of war against Spain do not speak well for their prudence. It will be remembered that during the late rebellion privateers were fitted out in English ports and were captured by vessels of the Union navy, while sailing under English colors. It will also be remembered that there were many of our people who were anxious for a declaration of war against Great Britain because these vessels were permitted to sail from English ports to engage in the Confederate service. The matter was finally referred to the Geneva Arbitration and it was decided that England should pay an indemnity of fifteen and a half millions of dollars for permitting these vessels to be fitted out in English ports, though without the consent of the English government. The case of the Virginius is precisely parallel to that of the Confederate privateers. She was a Cuban privateer, fitted out in American waters, nominally without the knowledge of the American government. When pursued she hoisted the American flag, as the Confederate privateers did the English colors. From this it will be seen that our position as a nation in reference to this affair is exactly the same as that of England in the case of the Alabama; and yet the Geneva Arbitration decided that England was liable for a large indemnity claim. It is well to "see ourselves as others see us." The unwarranted brutality of the Spanish volunteers has nothing to do with the matter of our declaring war with Spain. When the facts become known to the Spanish authorities at home, if they have not sufficient humanity left to severely punish the perpetrators of these outrages, then it will be time for other nations to interfere against this violation of the rights of humanity. Even in that case, the interference cannot be made on the ground of a violation of the law of nations; for Cuba is not recognized as a nation. But if the Spanish government fails to take cognizance of this heathenish slaughter, it will then be the duty of other nations to jointly interfere and demand that these outrages shall cease, and that the perpetrators of them shall be punished. Such an action is no more the duty of the United States than of other nations; and, while we cannot but feel the deepest indignation at the action of the Spaniards in Cuba, we should consider the situation before clamoring for a declaration of war against the Spanish government for any infringement upon our rights as a nation.