The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1896-12-09

mcnt has hoped to discover the most
nroniIsjnw and effective means of conpos.
Ing tho present strife with honor and nd
vantage 10 Spnin. and with the achieve
mrnt uf all reasonable objects OF tie In
BurrcCtIOn.
Genuine Autonomy.
1t would seem that II Spain should offer
to Cuba genuine autonomy, lIomc rule
which, Willie preserving the Sovereignty
of SPAIN would satisfy all rational re-
qulrements OF hcr Spanish subjects. there
should be no just rcnson why Tie phcihch-
tion Of the island might not be Effected on
that bnsIs Such II result would appear to
be In the true interest OF all concerned.
1t would mt once stop tile conflict which Is
now consuming the rcsourccsOf the island
and milking II worthless Tor whIcheNer
party may ultimately prevail. IL woulu
keep intact the possessions of Spnin with
ont touching her honor, which VIII he con-
suited rather than impugncd by tile nde-
quatc redress of admitted grievances.
1t woud put tie prosperiiyof the Island
and the fortunes of its inhabitants within
their own control without sevcrlng the
natural and ancient ties which bind them
to tile mother country, and would yet en-
able them to test their capacity for self
government under the most favorable con-
dItIons. 1t Inns been objected on the one
side that Spain should not promise nuton-
omy until her insurgcnt subjects lay down
their arms; on the other side, that prom
IScd autonomy. however liberal, Is INSULT
Client, because without assurance of the
PROMISE hrlng fulfilled.
But tile rcnsonnbcness OF requirement
by spain OF uucOHillllOuul SuIEtuutI Ou
tile part of the lnsurgent Cubans before
their autonomy is conceded is not alto
Ecther apparent. 1t ignores Imnortnnt
fcnfurcs or Ire s;tuntton-tTc Stability two
years duration has given to the insurrcc-
ton. the feasibility of it's Indefinite pro-
longntion In the nature of things, and, us
shown by past experience, the utter ana
present strife Is speedily composed; above
all. tile rank abuses which all parties In
spain all branches OF hcr government ana
Inn. linz mil is nj K
list ana profess II desire to remove.
During such circumstances to withhold
parties demanding them put themselves at
Its mercy by throwing down thclr arms
has the appearance of neElccting tue
grnvcst Of pCris and Inviting suspicion ms
to the sincerity OF any prOfcsscd willing
ness to grant reforms. The objection on
behalf of the Insurgcts-thnt promised
reforms can not be relied npon-must OF
course BE- considered, though we hav" no
right to assume and no reason for nssum-
Ing that anything Spain undertakes To do
for the relief of Cubn will not be done az.
corlIng to both the spirit ana the letter
of the undertaking.
PrupoGitIor to Spain.
Nevertheless. all realizing that suspi-
ciOns ana precautions on the part OF the
weaker OF two cOmhatnnts are always
natural and not always juStihnDlc-bclnE
sincerely DESTROYS In the Interest OF both
as well MS on its own account that the
| Cuban problem should bc solved with the
! this government to the government of
| Spain some months ago, II satisfactory
| measure of home rule were rendered the
| Cuban insurgents and would DO accepted
| by them upon II guaranty Of its execution,
| the United States would cndCnvOr to find
| II way not Objectionable 10 Spain OF fur
| nishIng such guaranty.
While no definite response to this inti-
nation has vet been received from the
| Spanish government, II Is believed to be
not altogether MnwcCOmc. while. ms al
| why IT shouiI not be approved by the In
surgcntS. Neither party can fail TO see
| the Importance Of early action, and both
must rcnlIzc that TO prOlong the present
stntc OF things for even short period
| Will add enormously 10 the time ana labor
| anu expenditure necessary to bring about
| tho Industrial rccuprrntion OF the island.
II Is. therefore, fcrvcntly hoped on NIL
| grounds that earnest Cu"rtS FOR healing
| the breach between Spain ana the lnsur-
gents. upon the lines nbnr" Indicate
| may he ut once innugurntcd and pushed to
mn Immediate and successful issue. The
| friendly Offices OF the United states. either
| in the manner above outlined or In any
other way consistent with our ConStitu-
| ton AMI our laws. will always be at the
| disposal OF either party.
Whatever circumstances may arise our
policy and Our interests would cOnStraiu
| us TO object to the acquisition OF the isl
| ana or m Interference with its control by
any other power.
our Patience May BE Exhausted.
1t should be added that It cannot be rea :
sonabiy assumed that the hitherto expect
| Indefinitely maintained Wills We are an
| Xious to accord all due respect to the Sow
bonding eonfi%S II All IFS LS3tTTSs IND ma
relations to 4; and It's possible results esMr!s
without considering nat by me co. course sc
unusual and unprecedented condition az
S Spa ~ 10 q emd the contest. either alone all
| In her own way. or with our friendly CO.
When the inability OF Spain to deal sue
| cessfully With tho insurrcction has be.
her sovcrcignty is extinct in Cuba for ali
purposes OF its riEhtful existence and
| iishment has degcncratcd into a strife
which means nothing more than the use
destruction OF the very subtcct-mnt OF
IN inc wien our obsa1io2s TO the soVcrSsnty
f SP %n VIII be y@psrneGeq ~ hESr oG
| recognize ana discharge.
Duty of United states.
| Dcfcrring the choice OF ways and meth
should make them depend upon the pre-
| else conditions then existing: and they
| giving careful heed to every consideration
| Involving our honor and Interest, or the
we face the contingencies suggested, OF
the situation Is by other Incidents impe iil
| line OF conduct heretofore pursued. thus
cncc 10 the rcduircmcmts or public law
| and our regard for the duty enjoincd upon
us by the position we occupy in tile fam
| lily of nations.
| a contemplation of emergencies tina
may arise should plainly lead us to
| avoid their creation. either through
| careless dircEard OF present duty or even
an undue stimulation and il-tlmed eX
| preston OF feeling. But have deemed 1t
| not nmiss 10 remind the congress that {!
| time may arrive when a correct policy ana
| care for our interests; as well as a regard
| for the interests OF other nations and their
citizens joined by considerations of hui
| manity ana Il desire u see rich and fer
| tile country. Intimately related to us. saw
| cd from complete devastation. will con
| strain our government to such actions
The Venezuelan Question.
The Venezuelan boundary question has
| ceased 10 be II matter of difference be.
| tween Great Britain and the United
| States. their respective governments hav-
| ing agreed upon the substantial provisions
| Of treaty between Great Britain and
| Venezuela, submitting the whole conIro:
| versy to arbitration. The provisions OF
| the treaty are so cmincntY just and fair
| that the assent OF Venezuela thereto may
| confidently be anticipated.
NSgotiations for, treaty OF genera, genera,
| advanced and promise to reach n success.
| III "a an