Evening journal., 1896-12-08

boring regions. however attractive. That
our conduct toward Spain and her domin-
Ions has constituted no exception to this
national disposition is made manifest by
the course of our government not only
thus FAR during the present Instruction,
but during the ten years that followed tho
rising at Yara in 1868. No other great
power it rssy safely be said under cir
cumstanccs Of similar pcrplexity, would
have manifested the same restraint and
the same patient endurance. It may also
be said that this persistent attitude of the
| United States toward Spain In connection
with Cuba unquestionably cvinccs no
slight respect and regard for Spain on the
part of the American people They In
huth do not forget her congestion with the
discovery of the western hemisphere, nor
do they underestimate the great qualities
of the Spanish people nor fail TO fully rec
ognize their splendid patriotism and their
chivalrous devotion to the national honor
They view with wonder and admiration
the cheerful resolution with which vast
bodies of men are sent across thousands Of
miles of ocean and an enormous debt ac-
cunulated that the costly possession OF
the "Gcm Of the Antilles" may still hold
its place in ths Spanish crown. And yet
neither the government nor the people Of
the United States have shut their eyes TO
the course Of events in Cuba or have failed
to realize the existence of conceded griey-
nnccs, which have led TO the present revolt
from the authority OF Spain--grievance
recognized by the queen regent and by the
cortes. voiced by the most patriotic and EN-
lightened of Spanish statesmen without
regard to party and demonstrated by re-
forms proposed by the executive and APP
proved by the Legislative branch of the
Spanish government. 1t Is in the assumed
temper and disposition of the Spanish
government to remedy those grievances,
fortified by indications Of influential pub
, lie opinion in Spain, that this government
has hored to discover the most promising
and effective means Of composing the pres
ent strife with honor and advantage to
Spain and with the achievement of all the
reasonable objects Of the insurrection-
The Autonomy OF Cuba.
1t would seem that IL Spain should offer
10 Cuba genuine autonomy measure CT
home rule which, while preserving the SOW
ercignty OF Spain, would satisfy all ration
al requirements of her Spanish subjects
there should be no just reason why tho
pacifcation of tho island might not te
effected on that basis. such result would
: appear TO be in the true interest OF all con
which is now consuming the resources Of
the island ard making II worthless for
whichever party may ultimately prevail
1t would keep intact the possessions of
Spain without touching her honor which
will be consulted rather than impugned by
the adequate redress of admitted griev-
ances. 1t would put the prosperity of the
island and the fortunes of It's inhabitants
within theirown control without severing
the natural and ancient ties which bind
| them 70 the mother country and would yet
: enable them to test their capacity for self
government under the most favorable con-
ditions II has been objected on the one
; side that Spain should not promise auton-
omy until her insurgent subjects lay down
their arms; on the other side, that promised
= autonomy, however liberal is insufficient
l because without assurance Of the promise
being fulfilled.
! But the reasonableness Of n requirement
I by Spain of unconditional surrender on
the part of the insurgent Cuhars before
1 their autonomy is conceded Is not alto
l gcther apparent. lt ignores important
{ features Of the situation--the stability two
o years duration has given 20 the insurrec
p tion the feasibility of its indefinite pro
5 lonration In the nature Of things and a
Il shown by past experiences; the utter an,
: imminent ruin of the island unless th
q present strife is speedily composcd abov,
all, the rank abuses which all parties ir
Spain, all branches of her government ant
I all her leading public men conccde t1 exis
n and profess a desire TO remove. Facing
= such circumstances, to withhold the profiC
q Of needed reforms until the parties demand
h ing them put themselves at mercy b,
!, throwing down their arms has the appear
"a nnce of neglectlnp the gfavest Of Icrils nnt
e inviting suspicion rs 10 the sincerity %
4 any professed willingness to grant reforms
4 The objection on behalf Of the insurgent
Il that promised reforms cannot be TelieS
y upon - must, Of course, be considered
q though we have no rigat To assume and NJ
n reason for assuming that anything Sraii
undertakes 10 do for the relief of Cuba vii
= not be done according 10 both the spiri
70 and the letter Of the undertaking.
5 Gentle Hint TO spain.
Nevertheless, realizing that suspicion
I, and precautions on the part Of the weake
= Of two combatants are always natural ant
; not always njustifiable-being sincercl
y desirous In the interest OF both as well n
Z on It's own account that the Cuban problem
r should te solved with the least possible do
b lay It was intinatod by this government
> to the government of Spain some month
ago that il a satisfactory measure of HON
> rule were rendered the Cuban insurgent
and would he accepted by them upon
, guarantee Of its execution, the Unite
states would cndeayor to find way no
y Objectionable to Spain Of furnishing sue
" guarantee. While no definite response Z
; this intimation has yet been received iron
j the Spanish government, Il IS believed 10 b
y not altogether unwol ONO. while as al
Il ready suggested, no reason is rorceivc
why it should not tc APP royed by tho IN
e surgcnts. Neither party can fail TO see IN
J. Importance Of carly action, and both mus
. realize that to prolonF the present state a
y things for even "a short period will adj
E. enormously TO the time and labor and OK
II Iendituro necessary To- bring about the in
10 dus,rial rccuperation of the island 1t
81 therefore fervently hoped on all ground
% that earnest efforts for healing the breac
N between Spain and the insurgent Cuban
n upon the lines above Indicated, may be 2
n cnco inaugurated and pushed to an imns,
'e diate and successful issue The iriendl
~ Offices of the United States, either in th
.tt.,