The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-12-07
NO WAR YET
Cleveland's Message Deals
With the Cuban Diff
Guilty Impartially.
OUR FORBEARAECE TOWARDS SPAIN
History Reviewed Since 1848
Moral Obligations Of
Neutrality.
Our Material Interests Seriously
Affected When the Duty of
Non Interference Ends.

WASHINGTON, Dec. z, 1S96.-The Pre-
ssdent's message was read to Congress
this morning and was listened to with
more than usual interest, especially that
part which relates to Cuba and the strug-
gle the patriots are waging on the Isle
The President says it is difficult to per-
ceive that any progress has thus far been
made toward the pacifcation Of the
island.
He says:--"If Spain still holds Havana
and the seaports and al, the considerable
towns, the insurgents roam at will over
at least two-thirds of the inland country.
II Spain has not yet re-established her au-
thcrity, neither have the Insurgents yet
made good their title to be consi dered an
Independent state It is reported indeed
on reliable authority that at the demand
of the commander-In-chief of the insur-
gent army the putative Cuban Govern
neat has given UP all attempt to exercise
its functions, leaving that Government
confessedly (what there is the best reason
for supposing it always to have been in
fact government only on paper.
After dwelling some time ON the style
of warfare that is being waged and the
steps Spain has taken to devastate the
Island, lane, the President IS says -.
adjoining country, by nature one of the
most fertile and charming on the globe,
would engage the serious attention of the
Government and people of the United
States in any circumstances. In point OF
fact. they have a concern with it which
is by no means of wholly sentimental
or philanthrople CHARACTER hes SO
near to US as to be hardly separated from
our territory. Our actual pecuniary in
terest in it is second only to
eminent of Spain It is reasonably
estimated that at least from $3O,000,000 to
$50 0,009 of American capital are invested
in plantations and in railroad, mining and
other business enterprises on the island.
The volume of trade between the United
States and Cuba, which in 1889 amounted
70 about $64.o00,0OO. rose in 1898 to about
s103, ,0O0, coo. and in 1894, the year before
the present insurrecton broke out.
amounted to nearly $96,0oO0oa. Besides
this large pecuniary stake in the fortunes
extricably involved in the present con-
costly
The President then talks of the Cubans
rTe United States and who send arms
and fit out expeditions for the insur-
gents contrary TO the law, thereby irvolv-
ing the government of this country in
complications. with Spain. He says
Is now also suggested that the
United States should buy the island-a
suggestion possibly worthy of considera-
ton If there were any evidence of a de-
sire or willingness on the part of Spain
to entertain such proposal. It is urged
finally, that. all methods failing, the
existing internecine strife in Cuba should
be terminated by our Intervention, even
at the cost of war between the United
Gates confidently prophesy could be
neither large in its proportions nor doubt
ful in its issue.
The correctness of this forecast need
be neither affirmed nor denied. The Unit
ed States has nevertheless a character to
maintain as nation, which plainly die
tates that right and not might should
be the rule Of its conduct. Further,
though the United States Is not ma
Con to which peace is a necessity it is
d truth the most pacific of powers, and
amity with all the world. Its own ample
and diversified domains satisfy all possible
of conquest and prevent any casting of
covetous eyes upon neighboring regions
however attractive. That our conduct
towards Spain and her dominions has
disposition is made manifest by the course
q our Government, not only thus far
ring the present insurrection. but dur
the ten years that followed the ris-
at Yara in 1863
1t should be added that It cannot be
sasonably assumed that the hitherto ex-
.5ectant attitude of the United States viii
be indefinitely maintained. While we are
anxious to accord all due respect to the
sovereignty of Spain, we cannot view the
pending conflict in all its features, and
properly apprehend our Inevitably close
relations to it, and its possible--results
without considering that by the course of
events We may be drawn into such an
unusual and unprecedented condition, as
will fix limit to our patient waiting for
Spain to end the contest either alone and
in her own way or with our friendly
cooperation.
when the inability of Spain to deal
successfully with the insurrection has be-
come manifest, and It is demonstrated
that her sovereignty is extinct in Cuba
for all purposes of it's rightful existence,
and when a hopeless struggle for its re-
establishment has degenerated into a
strife which means nothing more than the
useless sacrifice of human life and the ut
ter destruction of the very subject matter
of the conf1ict situation will be pre-
sented in which our obligations to the SOW
ereigIty of Spain viii be superseded by
higher obligations, which we can hardly
hesitate to recognize and discharge.
Deferring the choice of ways and methods
until the time for action arrives, we
should make them depend upon the pre-
else conditions then existing; and they
should not be determined upon without
giving careful heed to every consideration
I involving our honor and interest, or the
International duty we owe to Spain. Until
we face the contingencies suggested or
the situation is by other incidents
tinue in the line of conduct heretofore
pursued, thus In all circumstances ex-
hhating our obedience to the require
rnents of public law and our regard for
the duty enjoined upon us by the posi-
zion we occupy in the family Of nations.
"A 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 ill-timed
expression of feeling But have deem
ed it not amiss to remind the Congress
that a time may arrive when a cor
rect policy and care for our inter
ests, as well as a regard for the IN
ferests of other nations and their
citizens joined by considerations of hui
fertile country, intimately related to u.s.
saved from complete devastation. will
constrain our Government to such action
as will subservE the interests thus in
yolved and at the same time promise to
Cuba and its Inhabitants an opportunity
~ enjoy the blessings Of peace"
THE ESTIMATES CUT.