The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-12-16

subjects lay down their arms; on the
other side, that promised autonomy,
however liberal, is insufficient, because
without assurance of the promise be-
ing fulfilled.
"But the reasonableness of a require
ment by Spain, of unconditional sur
render on the part of the Insurgent
Cubans before their autonomy is con-
ceded, is not altogether apparent. 1t ig-
nores important features of the situa-
tion-the stability two years duration
has given TO the instruction; the feas-
ibility of its indefinite prolongation, in
the nature of things, and as shown by
past experience; the utter aud immi-
nent ruin of the Island, unless the,
present strife is speedily composed;
above all, the rank abuses which al.
parties in Spain, all branches of her
government, and all her leading public
men concede to exist aud profess IL
desire 10 remove. Facing such cir
cunlstances, 10 Withhold the proffer Of
needed reforms until the parties de-
manding them put themselves at mer-
cy by throwing down their arms, has
the appearance of neglecting the gravesI
of perils and inviting suspicion as to
the sincerity of any professed willing
ness to grant reforms. The objection
on behalf of the Insurgents-thatp prom
ised reforms can not 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 the relief of
Cuba will not be done according to
both the spirit and the letter of the un-
dertaking."
The President deprecates an assump-
ton that Spain would evade any obli-
CATION she undertook toward the In
surgents, but realizing that suspicious
and precautions on the part of the
weaker party are natural, ''it was init
mated 10y this Government 10 the Gov
ernment of Spain some months ago
that, if IA satisfactory measure of home
rule were rendered the Cuban Insur-
gents, and would be accepted by them
upon guaranty of its execution, the
United States would endeavor to ind
way not Objectionable to Spain OF
furnishing such guaranty. While no
definite response to this intimation has
yet been received from the Spanish
Government, il is believed to be not
altogether unwelcome, while, Is al
ready suggested, no reason is perceived
why it should not be approved by the
Insurgents"
The friendly offices of the United
States, he says, in this or any other
way are at the disposal Of either party,
and we should object to the acquisition
of the Island, or any interference with
its control by any other nation. at
should be added that it can not be rea-
sonably assumed that the hitherto ex-
pectant attitude of the United States
will be indefinitely maintained. While
We are anxious to accord all due respect
TO the sovereignty of Spain, We can not
view the pending conflict in all It's
features and properly apprehend our in
evitable close relations to it and its pos
sible results without considering that
by the course of events We may be
drawn into such an unusual and un-
precedeEted condition as will fix limit
to our patient waiting for spain to end
the contest, either alone and in her own
way, or with our friendly cooperation.
when the inability of Spain to deal
successfully with the Insurgents has
become manifest, and it is demonstrate
ed that her sovereignty is extinct i'll
Caba for all purposes of its rightful ex-
istence, and when hopeless struggle
for its establishment has degenerat-
ed into a strife which means nothing
more than the useless sacrifice of hu-
man life and the utter destruction Of
tue very subject matter of the conflict,
a situation will be presented in which
our obligations to the sovereignty of
Spain will be superseded by higher Oh
legations, which we can hardly hesitate
to recognize and discharge. Deferring
the choice of ways and methods until
the time for action arrives, we should
make them depend upon the precise
conditions then existing. and they
should not be determined upon with
ont giving careful heed to every con-
Fl ''reIioh inVsiving our honor and in
terest or the international duty we owe
10 Spain. Until we face the contin-
geneies suggested, or the situation is
by other incidents imperatively chang
ed, we should continue in the line of
conduct heretofore pursued, thus in all
circumstan ces exhibiting our obedience
TO the requirements of public law and
our regard FOR the dlty enjoined upon
Us Dy The position We occupy in tie
family of nations"
The closing of the Venezuelan ques-
ton and the far advance with promise
of an eArly sue cessful consumination of
negotiations for a general arbitration
treaty with Great Britain are briefly
noted.
Hope of cooperation with Great
Britain for the better preservation of
seal life in Behring Sea is expressed.
The statistics from the Treasury De-
partment, including those of the reve-
nues. are submitted without comment
or recommendation. The same is true
of the statistics of immigration. The
progress in coast defense is alluded to
as the one form of military preparation
essentially pacific in its nature. Sum-
maries of the reports of the Attor ney-
General and the Postmaster-General
are included. The postoffice deficit,
due to carrying at the nominal rate of
one cent pound the serial Libraries,
including trashy and even harmful
literature, and other matter which,
under the loose Interpretation of loose
statute, has been gradually given sec
ond-class rates" is pointed out as an
abuse that should be corrected. An
adequate appropriation for the enter
tainment of the International Postal
Union Congress in Washington is rec
commended. On affairs OF the Navy
and Interior Departments there is moth
inc i'm the message not contained in