Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-12-09

WOulu TeleaSe Inc parent SOVerllIueut
from responsibility for acts done by the in
surgents, and would invest Spain with the
right to exercise the supervision recog-
nized by our treaty of 1895 over our COM
merce on the high seas, very large part
of which in its traffic between the Atlantic
and the Gulf States, and between all of
them and the States on the Pacific, passes
through the waters which wash the shores
of Cuba. The exercise Of this supervision
could scarcely fail to lead, if not to
| abuses, certainly to collisions, peril
GUS to the peaceful relations of the two
States. There can be little doubt to what
result such supervision would, before
| long draw this nation. 1T would be I'M
worthy of the United States to inaugurate
the possibilities of such result by meas
ures of questionable right of expediency
or by any indiscretion.
Apart from any question of theoretical
right, am satisfied that while the &C
cordance of belligerent rights to the insur-
gents in Cuba might give them hope and
an inducement to protract the struggle, 10
would be but delusive hope, and would
not remove the evils under which this
government and people are experiencing,
but would draw the United States
into complications which it has waited
long, and already suffered much to avoid.
INTERVENTION OR MEDIATION.
The recognition of independence or of
belligerency being thus, in my Judgment.
equally inadmissible, it remains to consid-
er what course shall be adopted should the
conflict not soon be brought to an end by
acts of the parties themselves, and should
the evils which result therefrom, affecting
all nations, and particularly the United
States, continue. In such event [ am of
opinion that other nations will be COM
PEELED to assume the responsibilities which
devolves upon them, and to consider the only
remaining measures possible-mediation
and Intervention. Owing perhaps to the
large expanse of water separating the is
land from the peninsular, the want of har-
mony and of personal sympathy between
the inhabitants of the colony and those
sent thither to rule them, and want of
adaptation of the ancient colonization sys-
TENS of Europe to the present time, and
the ideas which the events of the past cen
tury have developed, the contending par
ties appear to have within themselves no
depository Of common confidence to sug-
gest wisdom when passion and excitement
have their sway, and to assume the part
of peacemaker. In this view, in the ear
lier days of the contest, the good offices of
the United States as a mediator were ten
dered in good faith without any selfish
purpose, in the interest of humanity and
in sincere friendship for both parties, but
they were declined by Spain with the de-
claration, nevertheless that at future
time they would be indispensable. No
intimation has been received that, in
the opinion Of Spain, that time has
been reached, and if 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 seems quite capable Of working
great injury and damage to the other, as
well as to all the relations and interests
dependent on the existence of peace in the
island. But they seem incapable of reach
ing any adjustment, and both have thus
far failed of achieving any success where
by one party shall possess and control the
island to the exclusion of the other. I'm
der these circumstances the agency OF
others, either by mediation or by inter
vention, seems to be the only alternative,
which must sooner or later be invoked for
the termination of the strife. At the same
time, while thus impressed, do not at
this time recommend the adoption of any
measure Of Intervention. | shall be ready at
to respond to suggestion that the good Off
ces of the United States will be acceptable
to aid in bringing about peace honorable
to both. 1t is due to Spain, SO far as this
government is concerned, that the agency
of third power, to which have adverted,
shall be adopted only as last expedient.
Had it been the desire of the United States
to interfere in the affairs of Cuba, repeated
opportunities for so doing have been pre-
scented within the last few years, but we
have remained passive, and have performed
our whole duty and all International obi
cations to Spain with friendship, fairness
and fidelity, and with a spirit Of patience
and forbearance which negatives every
possible suggestion of desire to interfere
or to add to the difficulties with which she
has been surrounded.
THE RECENT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE
MADRID GOVERNMENT.
The government of Spain has recently
submitted to our minister at Madrid GER
tain proposals which it is hoped may be
found to be the basis, if not the actual
submission, of terms to meet the require
ments of the particular griefs ofwhich this
government has felt itself entitled to COM
plain. These proposals have not yet
reached me in their full text. On their ar
rival they will be taken into careful exam
nation, and may, | hope, lead to salts
factory adjustment of the questions to
which they refer, and remove the POSSIBLE
ity 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.
Persuaded, however. that a proper regard
for the interests of the United States and of
its citizens entitle it to relief from the strain
to which it has been subjected by the diff
cultles OF the questions. and the wrong and
losses which arise from the contests in
Cuba, and that the interests of humanity
itself demand the cessation of the strife
before the whole island shall be laid waste
and larger sacrifices OF life be made.
shall feel it my duty should any hopes of
a satisfactory adjustment and of the early
restoration of peace and the removal of
disappointed, to make further communi-
cation to Congress at some period, not far
remote and during the present session,
recommending what may then seem to me
to be necessary. ri
THE MEXICAN BORDER TROUBLES.
The Free Zone, so-called. several years
since established by the Mexican govern
nlent in certain of the States of that re-
ublic adjacent to our frontier remains in
full operation. Ii has always been mate
rally injurious to honest traffic, for it op-
crates as an incentive to traders in Mexi-
CO to supply, without customs charges.
the wants of inhabitants on this side of
the line, and prevents the same wants from
being supplied by merchants of the United
States thereby, to considerable extent,
defrauding our revenue and checking hon
est commercial enterprise. Depredations