Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-12-10

the utmost vigilance will not always suf-
flee to prevent. These inevitable entan-
clements of the United States with the
rebellion in Cuba, the large American
property interests Infected and eonsidora-
tions of philanthropy and humanity in
general, have led to a vehement demand
inyarious quarters for some sort of posi-
tive intervention OH the pnrt of the United
States.
1t was at first proposed that belligerent
rights should be accorded to the instr-
gents, n proposition no longer urged be-
cause untimely and in practical operation
clearly perilous and injurious to our own
interests. 1t has since been and is now
sometimes contendel that the indppen-
dence of the insurgents should be recog-
nized. But imperfect and restricted as
the Spanish government of the island may
be, no other exists there, unless the Will
of the military officer in temporary coln-
mand of Il particular district can be digui-
lied as II species OF government. 1t is now
also suggested that the United States
should buy the island, suggestion
possibly worthy of consideration if there
were amy evidence of desire or
Willingness ON the part of Spain to enter
tain such a proposal 1t is urged, finally,
that, all other methods fuiling, the exist
ing internecine strife in Cubn should be
terminated by our intervention, even ut
the cost of n! war between the United
States and Spain-zn war which its advo-
Gates confidently prophesy could lie neither
large in its proportions nor doubtful in its
issue. The correctness OF this forecast
need be neither affirmed nor denied. The
United States has, nevertheless, a char
acter to maintain us nation, which plain
ly dictates that right and not might should
he the rule of its conduct.
Further, though the United States is
not nation TO which peace is n necessity,
it is in truth the most pacific of powers,
and desires nothing so much as to
live in amty with nll the world. Its own
ample and diversified domains satisfy all
possible longings for territory, preclude
all dreams of conquest, and prevent any
casting of covctOus eyes upon ncighbor-
ing regions, however attractive. That
our conduct towards Spain and her do
miniOns has constituted no exception to
this national disposition is made manifest
by the course of our government, not only
thus far during the present insurrcction,
but during the ten years that followed
the rising at Yara in 1868.
No other great power, II may safely be
said, under circumstances of similar per-
plexity, would have manifested that same
restraint and the same patient endurance.
1t may also he said that this persistent
attitude of the United States toward
Spain in connection with Cuba, unques-
tionably eyinces no slight respect and re-
gard for Spain on the part Of the Ameri-
can people. They in truth do not forget
her connection with the discovery of the
hnn tptNlin L.. fI,.,t .1.,,.
estimate the great qualities of the Span
ish people. nor fail to fully recognize their
splendid patriotism and their chivalrous
devotion TO the national honor.
They view with wonder and admiration
the cheerful situation with which vast
bodies of men are sent across thousands
of miles of ocean and an enormous debt
accumulated that the costly possession of
the gem of the Antilles may still hold its
place in the Spanish crown. And vet
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-
ances which have led to the present revolt
from the authority of Spain, grievances
recognized by the Queen Regent and by
the Cortcs, voiced by the most patriotic
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. II is in the assumed
temper and disposition of the Spanish gov
ernment to remedy these grievances, for
tilted by indications of influential public
opinion in Spain, that this government
has hoped 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.
1t would seem that if Spain should offer
to Cuba genuine autonomy, measure of
home rule which, while preserving the
sovereignty of Spain, would satisfy all
rational requirements of her Spanish sub
Jects--there should be no Just reason why
the paciiication of the island might not
he effected on that basis. Such a result
would appear to be in the true interests
of all concerned. 1t would at once stop
the conflict which is now consuming the
resources ofthe island and making il
worthless for which ever party may ulti-
mately prevail. II would keep intact the
possessions Of Spain without touching her
honor, which will he consulted rather than
impnngcd by the adequate redress of adj
mitted grievances.
II would put the prosperity of the island
and the fortunes of its inhabitants within
their own control, without seyering the
natural and ancient ties which bind them
to the mother country, and would vet
enable them TO test their capacity for self
government under the most favorable con-
ditions. 1t has been objected on the one
side that Spain should not promise auton-
omy until her insurgent subjects Law
down their arms; on the other side, that
promised autonomy. however liberal, is
insufficient, because without assurance of
the promise being fulfilled.
But the reasonableness of a require
nlent by Spain of unconditional surrender
on the part of the insurgent Clbans before
their autonomy is conceded is not alto
gether apparent. 1t ignores important
features Of the situation, the stability two
years duration has given to the insurrec-
tion, the feasibility of its indefinite pro-
iongation 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 government, and
nll her leading public men concede to
exist and profess a desire to remove
Facing such circumstances to withhold
the proffer of needed reforms until the
parties demanding them pnt themselves
at mercy by throwing down their arms,
has the appearance of neglecting the grav-
est of perils and Inviting suspicion as to
the sincerity of any professed willing
ness TO grant reforms. The objection on
behalf of the insurgcnt-that promised re-