The Saint Paul globe., 1896-12-08
MESSAGE
Continued From First Page.

Continued From First Page.
present revolt from the authority of Spain,
grievances recognized by the queen regent
and by the cortes, voiced by the most pa
trotic and enlightened of Spanish statesmen
without regard to party, and demonstrated
by reforms proposed by the executive and
approved by the legislative branch of the
Spanish government. 1t is in the assumed
temper and disposition of the Spanish gov
eTnment to remedy these grievances, fortlhed
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 advantage to Spain and with the
achievement of all the reasonable objects Of
the insurTection.
1t would seem that if Spain should offer to
Cuba genuine autonomy--a measure of home
rule, which, while preserving the sover-
eighty of Spain, would satisfy all rational
requirements of her Spanish subjects-there
should be no just reason why the pacifcation
OF the island should not be effected that
basis Such a result would appear to be in
the true interests of all concerned. 1t would
at ence stop the conflict which is now con-
Stunning the resources of the island and MAX
ing it worthless for whichever party may ul-
tnately prevail. 1t would keep intact the
possessions of Spain without touching her
honor, which will be consulted rather than
1mpugned by the adequate redress of admit
ted grievances.
1t would put the prosperity of the island
and the fortunes of its inhabitants within
their own control without severing the nat
nral and ancient ties which bind them to the
mother country, and would yet enable them
TO test their capacity for self-government un-
der the most favorable conditions. 1t has
been objected on the one side that Spain
should not promise autonomy until her in
surgent subjects lay down their arms; on
the other side that promised autonomy how
ever liberal was insufficient WITHOUT assur-
Ance Of the promise being fulfilled. eee
REASONABLE REQUIREMENT 81
But the reasonableness of a requirement by
Spain of unconditional surrender on the part
OF the insurgent Cubans before their autono-
conceded
IT ignores important features of the situa-
tion-the stability two years duration has
given to the lnsurrection, the feasibility of its
indefinite 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 governments and all her
leading public men concede to exist and Dro-
fess desire TO remove.
Facing such circumstances to withhold the
profTer of needed reforms until the parties
demanding them put themselves at mercy by
throwing down their arms has the appearance
of neglecting the gravest perils and inviting
suspicion as to the sincerity of any professed
Willingness to grant reforms. The objection
on behalf of the insurgents-that promised
reforms cannot be relied upon-must be- of
course, considered though we have right
10 assume and no reason for assuming that
anything Spain undertakes to do for the relief
or cuba will not be done according 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 njustiffable-being sincerely desirous
in the interest of both as well as on its own
account that the Cuban problem should be
solved with the least possible delay-it was
animated by this government to the govern
ment OF Spain some months ago that If a
satisfactory measure of home rule were ten
dered the Cuban insurgents, and would be
accepted by them upon a guaranty of it's
execution, the United States would endeavor
TO md way not Objectionable to Spain of
furnishing such guaranty.
Wniln no 70 ,ie i,74;,,
has yet been received from the Spanish gov
ernment, it is believed to be not altogether
unWelcome, while, as already suggested no
reason is perceived why it should not be ap-
proved by the insurgents. Neither party can
fail to see the importance of early action
and both must realize that to proong the
present state of things fol- even q 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 healing the breach between
Spain and the insurgent Cubans upon the
lines above indicated may be at once inaug-
urated and pushed to an immediate and sue
cessful issue. The friendly Offices of the
United States either in the 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 pol
ICY ana our interests would constrain to
object 10 the acquisition OF the island or any
Interference with its control by any other
power. 10 1.-
WORD Ot' 'NAfINING. -
It should be added that it cannot be rea-
sonably assumed that the hitherto expectant
attitudes of the United States will be indefn-
itely maintained. While we are anxious to
accord all due respect to the sovereignty of
Spain, we cannot view the pending conflict
IN all its features, and properly apprehend
our inevitably close relations to it. and its
possible results without considering that nv
the course of events NAV be drawn into
such an unusual and unprecedented condition
as will fix a limit to our patient waiting for
Spain to end the contest, either alone and in
her own way, or with our friendly co-opera-
tion.
When the inability of Spain to deal sue
cessfuly with the insurrection has become
manifest, and it is demonstrated that her
sovereignty is extinct in Cuba for all purposes
of its rightful existence and when a homeless
struggle for its re-estabshment has degener-
ated into a strife which means nothing more
than the useless sacrifice of human life and
the utter destruction of the very subject mat
ter Of the conflict, situation will be pre-
sented in which obligations to the SOW
ereignty Of Spain will be superseded by
higher obligations which we can hardly hesi-
tate to recognize and discharge.
Seferring the choice of ways and methods
until the time for action arrives, We should
make them depend upon the precise condi-
tons then existing and they should not be
determined upon without giving careful heed
to every consideration involving our honor
ana interest or the international duty we
owe TO Spain.
Until we face the contingency suggested. or
the situation is by other incidents imnerative
ly changed we should continue in the line
of conduct hitherto pursued, thus in all cir
cumstances exhibiting obedience to the
requirements of public law and our regard
for the duty enjoined upon us by the position
we occupy in the family of nations.
contemplation of emergencies that NAV
arise should plainly lead us to avoid their
creation, either through a careless disregard
of present duty or even an undue stimuIa-
ton and ill-timed expression of feeling
But / have deemed it not amiss to remind
the congress that time may arrive when
a correct policy and care for our interests
as well as a regard for the interests of other
nations and their citizens joined by consid-
erations of humanity and a desire to see a
rich and fertile country intimately related to
US, saved from complete devastation will
constrain government to such action as
will subserve the interests thus involved and
at the same time promise to Cuba and it's
inhabitants an opportunity to enjoy the bless
tngs Of peace.