The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-12-10


sists very largely of course in its capa-
city to produce sugar. A capacity al
ready much reduced by the Interrupt
lions to tillage, which have taken place
during the last two years. 1t is re-
liably asserted that should these in
terruptiOns continue during the cur
rent year, and practically extend as it
is now threatened to the entire sugar
producing territory of the island, so
much time and so much money will be
required TO restore the land to its
normal productivenesS that it is eX-
tremely doubtful if the capital can be
/ induced to even make the attempt.
1t would put the prosperity of the
! island and the fortunes of its inhabi-
! tants within their own control, with
out severing the natural and ancient
| ties which bind them TO the mother
| country and would yet enable them to
test their capacity for self government
under the most favOrable conditions.
The objection on behalf of the in
/ surgents-that promised reforms can
/ not be relied upOn-must of course be
| considered, though we have no right
/ to assume, and nOrcasOn for assuming
/ that anything Spain undertakes to do
| for the relief of Cuba will not be done
according TO both the spirit and the
| letter of the undertaking.
FRIENDLY PROFFKR.
Nevertheless, realizing that suspi-
ciOns and precautions on the part of
the weaker of two cOmbatants are al
ways natural and not always unjusti-
| tiable-being sincerely DESTROYS in the
interest of both as well as on its own
account that the Cuban problem
should be solved with the least posi-
BILE delay-it was intimated by this
government TO the government of
Spain some months ago that, if sat
isfactory measure of home rule were
rendered the Cuban insurgents, and
would be accepted by them upon a
guarantee of its execution, the United
States would endeavOr to find a way
not Objectionable to Spain of furnish
ing such guaranty.
While no definite response to this
intimation has yet been received from
the Spanish government, it is be
lieved to be not altogether unwel-
come, while. as already suggested, no
reason is perceived why it should not
be approved by the insurgents.
Neither party can fail to see the inn
portance of early action, and both
must realize that to prolong the pres
ent state of things for even a short
period will add enormously to the
time and labor and expenditure neces-
sary to bring about the industrial re-
cuperatiOn of the island. 1t is there
fore fervently hoped on all grounds
that earnest efforts for healing the
breach between Spain and the insur-
gent Cubans upon the lines above in
Dictated, may be at once inaugurated
and pushed to an immediate and sue
cessful issue. The friendly offices of
the United States, either in the man
ner above outlined or in any other
way consistent with our constitution
and laws, will always be at the dis
posal of either party.
DANGER OF DELAY.
Whatever circumstances may arise,
our policy and our interests would
constrain us to object to the acquisi-
ton of the island or an interference
with its control by any other power.
1t should be added that it cannot
be reasonably assumed that the hith
erto eXpectant attitude of the United
States will be indefinitely maintained.
While we are anxious to accord all
due respect to the sovereignty of
Spain, we cannot view the pending
conflicts in all its features, and prop
erly apprehend our inevitably close
relations to it, and its possible results,
without considering that by the
course OF events we may be drawn in
to such an unusual and unpreceden-
ted condition, as will fix a limit to our
patient waiting for Spain to end the
contest. either alone and i'll her own
way, or with our friendly cO-opera-
ton, a situation will be presented in
which our obligations to the sOver-
eighty of Spain will be superseded by
higher obligations, while we can hard
ly hesitate to recognize and discharge.
Until we face the contingencies sug-
gested, or the situation is by other in
cidents imperatively changed, we
should continue in the line of con
duct heretofore pursued, thus in all
circumstances exhibiting our obedi-
ence to the requirements of public
law and our regard for the duty en-
joined upon us by the position we Oc-
cupy in the family of nations.
THE EMERGENCY MAY COME.
\ contemplation of emergencies
that may arise should plainly lead us
to avoid their creation, either through
a careless disregard of present duty
or even an undue stimulation and i'll
timed expression of feeling. But |
have deemed it not amiss to remind
the Congress that time may arrive
when a correct policy and care for
our interests, as well as 81 regard for
the interests of other nations and
their citizens, joined by considera
tons of humanity and Il desire to see
rich and fertile country, intimately
related to us, saved from complete
devastation, will constrain our gov
eminent to such action as will sub
serve the interests thus involved and
at the same time promise to Cuba
and its inhabitants an opportunity
of enjoying the blessings of peace.
NO TROUBLE ABOUT VENEZUELA.
The Venezuelan boundary question
has ceased to be Il matter of differ
ence because Great Britain and the
United States, their respective gov
ernments have agreed upon the sub
stantial provisions of treaty between
Great Britain and Venezuela submit
ting the whole controversy to arbi-
tration. The provisions of the treaty
are so eminently just and fair that
/ the assent Of Venezuela thereto may
/ confidently bp 0uticinn tod