Our War With Spain For Cubas Freedom | Page 8

of red and yellow.
"Sangre y oro," he said, "blood and gold--a stream of gold between two
rivers of blood."
It is almost a sufficient characterization to indicate the whole national

spirit of Spain, to recall that this phrase is the proud expression used by
the Spanish people to glorify their own flag. That sentiment is in no
stronger contrast to the American phrase, "the star-spangled banner,"
than are the people of Spain to the people of the United States.
"REMEMBER THE MAINE."
From the day of the outbreak of the Cuban revolution, early in 1895,
until nearly the end of January, 1898, there had been no flag of the
United States seen in any harbor of Cuba except upon merchant vessels.
Always before, it had been the policy of our government to have ships
of war make friendly calls in the harbors of all countries of the world at
frequent intervals, and Cuban waters had shared these courtesies.
So careful were the officers of the Cleveland administration to avoid
the appearance of offense or threat against the authority of Spain, with
which we were living in amity, that immediately upon the outbreak of
hostilities in Cuba this practice was suspended, so far as it applied to
that island. Our ships cruised through the oceans of the world and
called at all ports where they were not needed, but the waters of
Havana harbor for three years were never disturbed by an American
keel.
Out of deference to the expressed wishes of the local Spanish
authorities in Havana, Dr. Burgess, the splendid surgeon of the United
States Marine Hospital service in Havana, who for thirty years has
guarded our southern ports from the epidemics of yellow fever and
smallpox, which would invade us annually as a result of Spanish
misgovernment in Cuba, except for his watchfulness, ceased flying the
American flag on his steam launch, by means of which he carried out
his official duties in those foul waters. The American flag was a
disturbing influence upon the minds of the Cubans who might see it
flashing in the clear sunlight of the tropic sky, suggested the Captain
General.
It must have been the language of diplomacy that was in mind, when
the satirist explained that "language was intended as a medium for
concealing thought." President McKinley, in his message to Congress
transmitting the report of the naval board concerning the catastrophe to
the Maine, explained that for some time prior to the visit of the
battle-ship to Havana harbor, it had been considered a proper change in
the policy, in order to accustom the people to the presence of our flag

as a symbol of good will. The decision to send the vessel to that harbor
was reached, it was explained, after conference with the Spanish
minister, and, through our diplomats, with the Spanish authorities at
Madrid and Havana. It was declared that this intention was received by
the Spanish government with high appreciation of the courtesy
intended, which it was offered to return by sending Spanish ships to the
principal ports of the United States.
We are bound to accept this expression from the officials on both sides
as frankly indicative of their feelings. But it is just as necessary to
recognize that to the mass of the people in both countries, the
significance of the Maine's courtesy call was very different. Americans
believed that it indicated a changed policy on the part of the national
government at Washington which would be more strenuous and more
prompt in resenting outrages against the life and property of American
citizens in Cuba. The people of the Cuban republic believed that the
change meant an expression of sympathy and friendship for their cause,
with probable interference in their behalf, and took courage from that
sign. Finally, the people of Spain resented the appearance of the Maine
in the harbor of Havana as an affront, and a direct threat against them
and in favor of the insurgents. If the policy of making frequent calls in
warships had never been interrupted, they would not have had this
sentiment in the matter, but the resumption of the practice after three
years' cessation, carried a threat with it in their minds.
TREACHEROUS DESTRUCTION OF THE MAINE.
The Maine entered the harbor of Havana at sunrise on the 25th of
January and was anchored at a place indicated by the harbor- master.
Her arrival was marked with no special incident, except the exchange
of customary salutes and ceremonial visits. Three weeks from that
night, at forty minutes past nine o'clock in the evening of the 15th of
February, the Maine was destroyed by an explosion, by which the
entire forward part of the ship was wrecked. In this frightful
catastrophe 264 of her crew and two officers perished,