Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-12-17
natIon. whlch plainly dIctntea thnt rIrht ana

nation, which plainly dictates that right and
might should be the rule of Its conduct
Further, though the United States Is not
nation TO which peace Is a necessity, Il is, In
truth, the most pacific of powers and desires
nothing 80 much as to live at amity with all
the world, It's own ample and diversified
domains satisfy all possible longlngs for ter
rltory preclude all dreams OF conqucs and
prevent the casting of any covetous eyes
upon neighborlng regions, however attract
i've. That our conduct towards Spain and
her domlnions has constituted no exception
TO this national disposition is made manifest
by the course of our government, not only
thus far during the present insurreotion, but
during the ten years that followed the rising
at Yara In 1868, No other great power. II
may safely be said, under circumstances Of
similar perplexity, would have manifested
the same restraint and the same patient en-
durance.
1t may also be said that this persistent at
titude Of the United States towards Spain in
connection with Cuba will unqueationably
evince no slight respect aud regard for
Spain on the part of the American people
They in truth do not forget her connection
with the discovery Of the Western hemis-
phere, nor do they underestimate the great
qualities of the Spanish people, nor fail to
fully recognize their splendid patriotism
and their chivalrous devotion to the national
honor. They view with wonder and admira-
ton the cheerful resolution with which vast
bodies of men are sent across thousands of
miles of ocean and an enormous debt accum-
ulated, that the costly position of the gem Of
the Antilles may still hold its place In the
Spanish crown. And yet neither the govern
ment nor the people of the United States
have shut their eyes to the course of events
In Cuba or have failed to realize the exist
ence of conceded grievances which have led
to the present revolt from the authority of
Spain, grievances recognized by the Queen
Regent and by the Cortes, voiced by the
most patriotic and enlightened of Spanish
statesmen, without regard to party, remon-
strated by reforms proposed by the execu-
tive and approved by the legislative branch
Of the Spanish government
1t is in the assumed temper and DISPOSE
ton of the Spanish government to remedy
these grievances, fortified by indications Of
influential public opinion in Spain, that this
government has hoped to discover the most
promising and effective means of composing
the present strife, with honor and advan-
tage to Spain and with the achievement Of
all the reasonable objects of the insurrec-
ton.
1t would seem that if Spain would offer to
Cuba genuine autonomy measure of home
eirnity of Spain, would satisfy all rational
requirements of her Spanish subjects there
should be no just reason why the pacifca-
ton of the island might not be effected on
that basis. Such result would appear to
be in the true interest OF all concerned. 1t
would at once stop the conflict, which is now
consuming the resources of the island and
making 1t worthless for whichever party
may ultimately prevail. 1t would keep in
tact the possessions of Spain without touch
ing her honor, which VII be consulted
rather than impugned by the adequate re-
dress of admitted grievances. 1t would put
the prosperity of the island and the fortunes
of its inhabitants within their own control,
without severing the natural and ancien
ties which bind them to the mother country,
and would yet enable them to test their ca
pacity for self government under the most
favorable conditions.
It has been objected on the one side that
Spain should not promise autonomy until
her insurgent subjects lay down their arms.
On the other side, that promised autonomy.
however liberal, Is insufficient, because
without assurance of the promise being full
filed.
But the reasonableness of a requirement
by SPAIN of unconditional surrender on the
part of the Insurgent Cubans before their
autonomy is conceded is not altogether APP
parent. 1t Ignores important features OF
the situation-the stability two years dura-
ton has given to the insurrection; the feas-
ibility of its prolongation in the nature of
things and as shown by past experience the
utter and imminent ruin of the Island, unless
the present strife is speedily composed;
above all, the rank abuses which all parties
In Spain, all branches of her government
and all her leading public men concede to
LET md q n
such circumstances, to Withhold the proffer
of needed reforms until the parties demand
ing them put themselves at mercy by throw
ing down their arms, has the appearance Of
neglecting the gravest of perils and inviting
suspicion as to the sincerity of any pro-
fessed willingness to grant reforms. The
objection on behalf of the insurgents-that
promised reform canot be relied upon-must
of course be considered, though we have no
right to assume, and no reason for assum-
ing, that anything Spain undertakes to do
for the relief of Cuba will not be done ac-
cording to both the spirit and the letter of
the undertaking.
Nevertheless, realizing that suspicious
and precautions on the part of the weaker
of two combatants are always natural and
not always unjustlhable, being sincerely de-
sirous in the interest of both as well as on
its own account, that the Cuban problem
should be solved with the least possible de-
lay, 1t was intimated by this government to
the government Of Spain some months ago
that If a satisfactory measure of home rule
were rendered the Cuban insurgents, and
would be accepted by them upon guaranty
of its execution, the United States would en-
deavor to find a way not Objectionable to
Spain of furnishing such guaranty. While
no definite response to this intimation has
vet heen received from the SDanish govern
ment, 1t Is believed to be not altogether un-
welcome, while, as already suggested, no
reason is perceived why 1t should not be APP
proved by the insurgents, neither party can
fail to see the Importance of early action
and both must realize that to prolong the
present state of things for even a short
period will add enormously to the time and
labor and expenditure necessary to bring
about the industrial recuperation of the
island. 1t is, therefore, fervently hoped
on all grounds that earnest efforts for head
ing the breach between Spain and the in
surgent Cubans upon the lines above indi-
Gated, may be at once inaugurated and
pushed to an immediate successful issue.
The friendly oflces of the United States,
either in the manner above outlined or In
any other way consistent with our constitu-
ton and laws will always be at the disposal
of either party.
Whatever circumstances may arise, our
policy and our interests would constrain US
to object to the acquisition of the island or
an interference with its control by any other.
II should be added that 1t cannot be reason
ably assumed that the hitherto expectant
attitude of the United States will be indeh-
nitely maintained.
While we are anxious to accord all due re-
spect to the sovereignty of Spain, we cannot