Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-12-11
President Cleveland on the Cuban

President Cleveland on the Cuban
Question.
The one striking feature of the annual
message which President Cleveland sent to
Congress on Monday is that part which
deals with the Cuban question. The Pres
ident has evidently obtained very full in
formation of the condition of affairs in
the island and he treats the subject with
conscientious conservatism and a careful
regard for all the rights of Spain, but at
the same time in a spirit which shows
an active and patriotic sympathy with
the suffering Cubans. The situation in
Cuba is dreadful, and repugnant to the
civilized world, the message says in sub
stance; but while it is true on the one
hand that Spain has not reestablished her
authority in the island, we have TO ac-
knowledge it to be true, on the other hand,
that the Cuban rebels have not acquired a
position which either makes good their
title to be regarded as an independent
state, or to be acknowledged as belliger-
ents. There is no government in Cuba, in
the strict sense, to recognize-nothing but
a military dictatorship. Moreover, the in
surgents have not fulfilled their hope and
promise of securing a foothold on the
coast. Practically all the chief towns and
all of the seaports are now held, as they
were year ago, by Spanish garrisons.
Mr.. Cleveland believes that the best way
of e. - 1.
for Spain to grant the Cubans home rule,
and our government has made an init
nation to this effect to the govern
ment at Madrid, but thus far the sugges-
tion has been ignored. After repeating
what has been said so many times by
American presidents-that this country
would not tolerate the transfer of Cuba to
any other sovereignty than that of Spain,
and that the island must remain Spanish,
or become independent, or pass into our
own possession-the President goes on to
say that the expectant attitude of this
country cannot be maintained indefinitely.
Our respect for the sovereignty of Spain
cannot compel us always to stand by quiet
ly and see human life uselessly sacrificed
and property needlessly destroyed. "When
the inability of Spain to deal successfully
with the insurrection has become mani.
fest, and it is demonstrated that her soy.
ereignty is extinct in Cuba for all purposes
of its rightful existence, a situation will
be presented in which our obligation to
the sovereignty of Spain will be suppressed
ed. by higher obligations which we can
hardly hesitate to recognize and discharge ~
These words are said in a right spirit,
They are discreet and timely. They will
not and cannot quench the hope felt by
every true American that the Cubans may
gain their liberty, but they will serve to
keep public feeling from being unduly
and uselessly inhamed in their be.
half. The spirit which pervades the whole
of the Presidents extended discussion Of
this subject is such, also, as TO have a sal
utary effect on Congress and prevent any
hasty attempt at extreme action.
But if Spain wants the United States
to keep hands off it would be as we'll fol
her to have General Weyler stop the
butchery of defenceless men and women
which he is said to be practicing on his
march against Maceo through the prov.
ince of Pinar del Rio.