In that long contest in the United States for the balance of power between the North and South, leaders in the latter section often thought of bringing Cuba into the union to offset the free states.  An opportunity to announce their purposes publicly was afforded in 1854 by a controversy over the seizure of an American ship by Cuban authorities.  On that occasion three American ministers abroad, stationed at Madrid, Paris, and London respectively, held a conference and issued the celebrated “Ostend Manifesto.”  They united in declaring that Cuba, by her geographical position, formed a part of the United States, that possession by a foreign power was inimical to American interests, and that an effort should be made to purchase the island from Spain.  In case the owner refused to sell, they concluded, with a menacing flourish, “by every law, human and divine, we shall be justified in wresting it from Spain if we possess the power.”  This startling proclamation to the world was promptly disowned by the United States government.

[Illustration:  _=An old cartoon.=_

A SIGHT TOO BAD

Struggling Cuba. “You must be awfully near-sighted, Mr. President, not to recognize me.” U.S.G. “No, I am far-sighted:  for I can recognize France.”]

=Revolutions in Cuba.=—­For nearly twenty years afterwards the Cuban question rested.  Then it was revived in another form during President Grant’s administrations, when the natives became engaged in a destructive revolt against Spanish officials.  For ten years—­1868-78—­a guerrilla warfare raged in the island.  American citizens, by virtue of their ancient traditions of democracy, naturally sympathized with a war for independence and self-government.  Expeditions to help the insurgents were fitted out secretly in American ports.  Arms and supplies were smuggled into Cuba.  American soldiers of fortune joined their ranks.  The enforcement of neutrality against the friends of Cuban independence, no pleasing task for a sympathetic President, the protection of American lives and property in the revolutionary area, and similar matters kept our government busy with Cuba for a whole decade.

A brief lull in Cuban disorders was followed in 1895 by a renewal of the revolutionary movement.  The contest between the rebels and the Spanish troops, marked by extreme cruelty and a total disregard for life and property, exceeded all bounds of decency, and once more raised the old questions that had tormented Grant’s administration.  Gomez, the leader of the revolt, intent upon provoking American interference, laid waste the land with fire and sword.  By a proclamation of November 6, 1895, he ordered the destruction of sugar plantations and railway connections and the closure of all sugar factories.  The work of ruin was completed by the ruthless Spanish general, Weyler, who concentrated the inhabitants from rural regions