Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-12-12

promised autonomy. however liberal, Is In
sufficient because without assurance OF the
promise being fulfilled.
But the reasonableness OF requirement
by Spnin Of unconditional surrender on the
part OF the insurgent Cubans before their
autonomy is conceded, is not altogether ap-
parent. 1t ignores important features OF the
situation-the stability two years duration
has given to the insurrection; the feasibility
of its indefinite prolongation in the nature
OF things, and AS shown by past expert ,nce;
the utter and imminent ruin OF the island.
miles. the present ST rife Is speedily composei (;
above all, the rank abuses which all parties in
Spain, all branches OF her Government and
allher leading public men concede to exist and
profess desire 10 remove ;facing such circum-
stances, to withhold the proffer Of needed
reforms until the parties demanding them
put themselves at mercy by throwing down
their arms, has the appearance OF neglecting
the gravest of periIs and inviting suspicion
us to the sincerity of any profesSed willing.
ness to grant reforms. The objection on be-
half OF The insurgents s---that promised re-
forms cannot be relied upon-must OF course
be considered though we have no right to
assume, and no reason for assuming, that
anything Spain undertakes to do for tho re-
lief OF Cuba will not be done according to
both the spirit and the letter OF the under
taking.
United States offered Guarantee.
Nevertheless. realizing that suspicious and
precautions on tho part OF the weaker Of two
combaants are always natural and not
always unjustill fable being sincerely desir-
Gus in the interest of both, as well rs on its
own account. that the Cuban problem should
he solved with the least possible de.ay--it
was intimated by this Government to the
Government Of Spain some months ago that,
II satisfactory measure Of home rule were
rendered the Cuban insurgents, and would
be accepted by them upon u guaranty Of its
execution, the United States would endeavor
to find way not Objectionable to Spain Of
furnishing such guaranty. While no def
received from the Spanish Govern
ment, it Is believed to be not alto
Together unwelcome. while, as already
suggested, no reason is perceived why it
should not be approved by the insurgents.
Neither party can fail 10 ses the importance
Of early action, and both must realize that to
prolony the present te Of things for even
a short period will add enormously to the
I lme 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 healing
the breach between Spain and the insurgent
Cubans, upon the lines above indicated. may
be once inuugurated and pushed to an inl-
mediate und successful issue. Tho friendly
Offices OF the United States, either in tho
manner above outlined or In any other way
consistent with our Constitution 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
power
A Limit 10 Our Patience In Regard to Spain.
1t s' ,uli be added that it cannot be rea.
sonably assumed that the hitherto eXpectant
itely maintained. While we are anxious to
accori all due respect to tho sovereignty OF
Spain, we cannot view the pending conflict
In all Its features, and properly apprehen
our inevitably closs relations to 1t, and its
possible results, without considering that
by the course OF events We may be drawn
Into such an unusual and unprecedented
as will fix limit to our patient
waiting for Spai.l to END the contest, either
alone and In her own way. or with our
cooperation.
When the inability OF Spain to deal sue
cessfully with the insu rection has become
and 1t Ia demonstrated that her
sovereignty is extinct In Cuba for all pur-
poses OF its rightful existence, and when
Into strife which means moth.
lng more than the useless sacrifice OF human
life and the utter destruction OF the very
OF the conflict, q situation
will be presented in which our obligations
to the sovereignty of Spain will be su persed-
ed by higher obligations, which we can hard
" hesitate to recognizes and discharge. De-
|errlng tho CHOICE OF ways and methods
until the time for action arrives, we shoulu
la Ahnyn N..t- \
tions then existing; and they should not be
determined upon without giving careful
heed 10 every consideration involving our
honor and interest, or the International duty
we owe to Spain. Until we fac3 the contin-
sencies suggested, or the situation is by
other incidents imperatively changed, we
should continue In the line OF conduct here
ofore pursued, thus in all circumstances
our obedience to the require
nents OF public law and our regard for the
luty enjoined upon US by the position we
occupy in tho family OF nations.
A contemplation OF emergencies that may
lrise should plainly lead us to avoid their
creation, either through careless disregard
)f present duty or even an undue stimula.
ion and ill-timed expression OF feeling. But
have deemed 1t not amiSs 70 remin the
Congress that time may arrive when 4
correct policy and care for our interests, as
vol as regard for the interests OF other na-
ions and their citizens, joined by considera-
ions Of humanity and u desire to see rich
md fertile country, intimately related to us,
'aved from complete devastation, will con-
strain our Government to such action rs will
;ubserve the interests thus involved and at
he Same time promise to Cuba and its In
,abitants an opportunity TO enjoy the bless-
ngs OF peace.
The Venezuelan Boundary.
The Venezuelan boundary question has
,eased TO be Il matter Of difference between
Great Britain and the United Slates their
re espective Governments having agreed upon
The substantial provisions OF treaty be-
ween Great Britain and Venezuela submit
ing the whole controversy to arbitration.
The provisions OF the treaty are SO eminent
y Just and fair. that the assent OF Venezuela
hereto may confidently be anticipated.
Arbitration Treaty With England.
Negotiations for treaty Of general arbi-
ration fer all differences between Great
Britain and the United States are far a1-
,anced and promise to reach = successful
at an early date.
Facts From Department Reports.
Having discussed the Cuban question at
sngth, the President turns to other matters.
&c repeats his accommodation "ln favor OF
at pubic expense omclai resi-
iences for our ambassadors and ministers ut
oreiRn capitals.
Figures are given showing that the Gov
receipts last year were $409, 475,-
08.76 while expenditures In the same time
we're e,484, ,67s, ,654. 4S, the expenditures over
receipts thus amounting to $26, ,203, 245. 20.
The number OF immigrants arriving in the
United States during the fiscal year was
|43 ,267, of whom $40. .488 were permitted to
and, and 2790 were debaired, on various
rounds prescribed by law. and returned to
he countries whence they came, at the ex-
pense OF the steamship companies by which
hey were brought in. The increase In inn
over the preceding year amounted
o s4,791.
The report Of the Secretary OF War exhib.
ts satisfactory conditions In the several
branches Of the public service intrusted to
his charge.
Tho Post Office Department is in good
,ondition, and the exhibit made OF Its oper-
,tion during the fiscal year ended June 30,
1903, II allowance Is made for imperfections
N the laws applicable to It, Is very satisfac-
ory.
"The construction of vessels for our new
lavy has been energeticaily prosecuted by
he present Administration upon the general
Inc previously adopted, the Department
having seen no necessity for radical changes
n prior methods under which the work was