The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1895-09-13


ton 10 distant power and to assume the
independence and right of self oltrol
which natural rights ana the spirit of the
age accord 10 them.
PRACTICABLE AN ULTIMATUM.
almost two years have passed and no
effective steps have been taken to remedy
abuses or establish reforms, and the ef-
fort to suppress the Instruction by force
alone has been q complete failure. In the
meantime the material interests OF trade
and of commerce are impaired To de-
gree which calls for rem, onstraDce, If not
for another line of conduct on the part
of all commercial nations.
1.-THE United States purchases more large
ly than any other people OF the pr"duc-
lions OF the Island of Cuba and, therefore,
more than any other for this reason, and
still more by reason of Its immediate
neighborhood, Is interested in the arrest
of any waItol destruction which dis
graces the age and affects every CONNER
cial people on the face of the globe
1T becomes a serious question how long
this condition of things can or should be al
lowed TO exist, and compels us TO inquire
whether the point has not been reached
WUeEe lOHSeE tCdoto " pS l'cS
sible.
In the opinion of the President, the time
has arrived when the interestsof this coun
try, the preservation of its commerce, and
the instincts of humanity alike, demand
that come speedy and satisfactory ending
be made to the strife which is devastating
Cuba. A disastrous conflict of more than
seven years duration has demonstrated the
Island lying at our door. Desolation and
the destruction of life and property have
been the only results of this conflict"
PROMPT ACTION THREATENED.
After giving a detailed list of those overt
acts, which a people cannot be expected TO
tolerate without the assured prospect OF
their termination" and referring to the
fact that tender of the good offices of the
United States had been declined, Secretary
Fish says: Z.
THE Government of the United States
has heretofore given expression 10 no
policy in reference 10 the insurrection In
Cuba, because it has honestly and sincerely
hoped that no declaration OF policy on It's
part would be required. The President
feels that longer reticence would be iDcon-
sistent with the interests OF both govern
meDts. Our relations with Spain are in
that critical position that another seizure
similar to that of the Virginius, other exc
cutions OF citizens of the United States,
other wrongs OF a less objectionable char
acter, even, than many which have been
already suffered by our citizens, with sim
pie remonstrance, or possibly some act OF
exceptional severity in Cuba, may sud
denly produce feeling and excitement
which might force events which this
Government desires to avoid.
THE President hopes that Spain may
spontaneously adopt measures looking to
a reconciliation and to the speedy restora-
ton of peace, and the organization of sta
Bile and satisfactory government in the
island of Cuba. In the absence of any pros
pect of termination of the war, or OF any
change in the manner in which it has been
conducted on either side, he feels that the
time is at hand when it may be the duty OF
other governments to intervene, solely
withaview OF bringing to amend disastrous
and destructive conflict, and of restoring
peace TO the island of Cuba.
WILL RENEW GRANTS POLICY.
No government Is more deeply interested
in the order and peaceful administration
of the island than is that of the United States,
and none has suffered as has the United
States from the condition W hich has obtained
there during the past six or seven years.
he will, therefore, feel it his duty at an
early day 10 submit the subject in this
light, and accompanied by an expression
of the views above presented for the con-
sideration OF Congress.
This conclusion is reached after every
other expedient has been attempted and
proved a failure, and in the firm conviction
that the period has at last arrived when
no other course remains for this govern
ment-"
This cablegram of Secretary Fish is with
out precedent in the diplomatic history OF
this country, and is the longest ever sent
from the State Department, containing
nearly six thousand words.
Ten days after its transmission, on No
vember ., 1875, Secretary Fish received
a cablegram from the Spanish government
declaring that it would make every satis-
factory amend, and guaranteed there should
be no cause given for further complaint.
Then came the election of 1876, when
Hayes was chosen President and the finding
of the Electoral Commission threatened
to precipitate civil war, and Spain took
advantage of it to repudiate all of its
promises and even the payment of the
Mora claim, which was specified by Presi-
dent Grant, was della ed for twenty years
until Secretary Olrey forwarded to a
representative of the Spanish govern
ment another ultimatum.
There is little doubt expressed by those
in a position to know inside facts but that
the present ADMINISTRATION will take the
precedent and compel Spain to give the
Cuban revolutionists such recognition and
concessions as viii result in tie protection
of American citizens in that island. That
such a course viii meet with the hearty
approval of the American people is
foregone conclusion