Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-12-17

ruption, in the vessels of the United
States to detention, and possibly to
seizure. 1t would give rise to count
less vexatious questions. 1t would
release the parent government from
responsibility for acts done by the in
surgents, and would invest Spain
with the right to exercise the super
vision recognized by our treaty of
1895 over our commerce on the high
seas, II very large part Of which-its
traffic between the Atlantic and the
Gulf States, and between all of them
and the States upon the Pacific
passes through the waters which
wash the shores Of Cuba. The o.
currance OF this supposition could
scarce fail to lead, if not to abuses,
certainly to collisions perilous to the
peaceful relations of the two States.
There can be little doubt as to what
result such supervision would, before
long, draw this nation. 1t would
be unworthy of the United States to
inaugurate the possibility of such
4 result, by measures of questionable
right or expediency or any indiscre-
ton. Apart from amy question OF
Theoretical, right, am satisfied that
while the accordance of belligerant
rights to the insurgents in Cuba
might give them hope and induce
ment to protract the struggle, it
would be but delusive hope, and
would not remove the evils which
this government and its people are
experiencing, but would draw the
United States INTO complications
which 1t has waited long and already
suffered much to avoid. The recog-
milton OF independence, or of bellig-
erency, being in my Judgment equal
ly inadmissable, it remains to be con-
sidered what course shall beladopted
should the conflict not soon be
brought to an end by the acts Of the
parties themselves and should the
evils which result therefrom, affiict-
ing all nations, and particularly the
United States, continue. In such
event | am of the opinion that other
nations will be compelled to assume
the responsibility which devolvcs on
them, and to seriously consider the
only remaining measures possible,
mediation and intervention. Owing,
perhaps, to the large expanse of wa
ter separating the Islands from the
Peninsula, the want of harmony OF
personal sympathy between the i'll
habitants of the colony and those
sent thither to rule them, and want
of adaptation Of the ancient colonial
system of Europe to the present time
and to the ideas which the events OF
the past century have developed, the
contending parties appear to have
within themselves no depository of
common confidence, to suggest wis
dom when passion and excitement
have their sway, and assume the part
of peace maker.
MEDIATION OFFERED.
In this view, in the early days OF
the contest, the good offices Of the
United States as mediator were ten.
dered in good faith, without any
selfish purpose, in the interests of hu.
manity and in sincere friendship for
both parties, but were at the time de-
clined by Spain, with the declaration
nevertheless that at future time
tn y would be Indispensable; no in
timation has been received that in the
opinion Of Spain that time has been
reached, and yet the strife continues
with all its dread horrors and all its
injuries to the interests of the United
States, and OF other nations. Each
party seem quite capable Of working
great injury and damage to the other,
as well as to all the relations and in
terests depending on the existence
OF peace iii the Island; but they seem
incapable of reaching any adjustment.
Both have thus far failed Of achiev-
ing any success whereby one party
shall possess and control the Island
to the exclusion of the other. Under
these circumstances, the agency of
others by meditation, or by intervcn-
! ton seems to be the only alternative
which must sooner or later be invok-
ed for the termination Of the strife.
AT the same time, while thuslmpress-
ed, do not ut this time recommend
the adoption Of any measure of inter-
vention, but I shall he ready at all
times, and as the equal friend of both
parties to respond to a suggestion
that the good offices of the United
States will be acceptable to aid in
bringing about a peace, honorable to
both. 1t is due 10 Spain, so far as
this government Is concerned, that
the agency of a third power, to which
l have adverted, shall be adopted as
a last expedient. Had it been the
desire Of the United States to inter-
tere in the affairs Of Cuba, repeated
opportunities for so doing have been
presented in the last Jew years, but
we have remained passive, and have
performed our whole duty and inter
national obligations to Spain, with
friendship, fairness, and fidelity, and
with spirit OF patience, and forbear-
ance which negatives every possible
suggestion OF desire to interfere, or
to add to the difficulties with which
she has been surrounded.
OTHER NEGOTIATIONS WITH SPAIN.
The government of Spain has re-
Gently submitted to our Minister at
y. adrid, certain proposals which it
is hoped may be found to be the ba-
sis, Of not the actual submission Of
terms, to meet the requirements of the
particular griefs of this government
has felt itself entitled to complain.
Those proposals have not yet reached
me in their text. On their arrival
they will be taken into careful exam
ination, and may l hope lead to
satisfactory adjustment of the ques-
ton to which they refer, and remove
the possibility Of future occurrences
such as have given rise to our just
complaints. 1t is understood, also,
that renewed efforts are being made
to introduce reforms in the internal
administration OF the Island. Per
SDaded howeypr that 4 nrOner re-