Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-08
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

The message that President Cleveland
tent TO Congress yesterday is long. but
Interesting We find in II few of those
ofty and elaborate phrases with which
ae studded his earlier messages. For the
most part the message is confined 10 a
review Of the operations of the several de-
Dartments Of the government and recon-
nendations thereupon that he makes for
congressional action. Foremost in i'm
2ortance is what the President says about
Cuba His position is a conservative one.
md we suspect that ii Will meet with
general approval more especially as 1t Is
based, supposedly upon the observations
n Cuba OF Consul-General Fitzhugh Lee
The President urges for the present a
policy of non-interference towards cuba.
he cannot perceive that any progress has
been made toward the pacihcation of the
sland. Spain still holds the seaports ana
The considerable towns, and the insur-
gents still roam over two-thirds OF the
inland country. Both sides seem as de-
termined as ever. He learns that "the
putative Cuban Government has now
given up all attempt TO exercise its func-
tions, '1eaving that government con-
Iessedly (what there is the best reason
for supposing it always to have been IN
.acD a government merely on paper"
lie believes that the Spaniards are now
acting upon the same theory as the in
surgents-namely. that the eXigencies or
the contest require the wholesale annihi-
- 8
Of use and advantage to the enemy. Thus
the Industrial value of the island sis fast
disappearing, and unless there is speedy
and radical change in existing conditions
Il will soon disappear altogether" The
President says our people cannot view
this spectacle with unconcern, especially
as from 100000 to $5O,OOOCOO Of American
capital is invested upon the island. while
the volume of trade between the two
countries in 1893 was $4,000 900.
In short. upon a careful review Of the
situation, it seems to President Cleye-
land that, 'if Spain should offer to Cuba
genuine autonomy measure of home
rule, which. while preserving the SOW
reignty Of Spain, would satisfy al "a
tional requirements of her Spanish sub
jects-there should be no just reason why
the pacifcation OF the island might not
be effected on that basis"
Mr.. Cleveland states that this govern
ment some months ago made suggestion
TO Spain, that it would cooperate with
Spain 10 facilitate a settlement on this
line: but no definite response has. been
received from the Spanish Government
Yet he believes that this suggestion is
not altogether unwelcome
ut IS, therefore. hoped on all grounds
that earnest efforts for healing the breach
between Spain and the insurgent Gu
bans upon the lines indicated may be at
once inaugurated. and pushed 10 an i'm
mediate and successful ISSUE"
The President gives notice that the
United States would object to the ac-
QUESTION Of Cuba by any other Power.
Nor. says ne. viii this country be con-
tent TO wait an indefinite time for the
pacihcation OF the island. The time may
come when "a situation will be present
ed I'm which our obligations TO the SOW
reignty of Spain viii be superseded by
higher obligations. which we can hardly
hesitate 10 recognize and discharge"
But. until we face the contingency sug-
gested, the President urges that we
should continue In the line Of conduct
heretofore pursued.
The language OF the President is care
fully guarded. 50 as to give no offence
10 Spain. He wishes this country TO act
the part OF paciicator; but he is decided
In his opinion that we should not be
content to wait indefinitely for the at
tainment Of this result.
Reading between the lines. we see-or
,nink we see--that it is the Presidents
view that II Spain will not grant home
rule 10 Cuba. and cannot suppress the
insurrection within n reasonable time.
the United States will then feel called
upon 10 act so that our disorderly neigh
Dor shall be compelled TO keep the peace.
The President reports that the rights of
American citizens resident in Ottoman
Turkey have been safeguarded as far as
possible; but that popular outbreaks are
likely 10 occur with consequences which
no forethought on the part OF this gov
eminent can avert. However. he does
not believe that "the present sombre pros
pect In Turkey will be permitted loag TO
offend the sight OF christendom." lie
declares that II mars the human and
e~'iSh taned civilization that belongs TO