New-York tribune., 1896-12-08
fnn u IN


fee 10 prevent
THE QUESTION OF INTERVENTION.
These inevitable entanglements OF the United
states with the ,ebellion in Cuba. the large
American property interests affected. and con-
siderations Of philanthropy and humanity in
general. have led to a vehement demand in vari-
Gus quarters for some sort of positive inter-
vention on the part of the United States. 1t
was at first proposed that belligerent rights
should be accorded To the insurgents-a propo-
sitIon no longer urged because untimely and In
practical operation clearly perilous and injuri-
Gus To our own interests. # has since been and
Is now sometimes cOntended hat the ndepen-
dence OF the insurgents should be recognized.
But imperfect and restricted as the Spanish
Government of the island may he. no other
exists there-unless the will Of the military or
fcer in temporary command Of particular dis
trct can be digniiied as a species of govern
ment II Is now also suggested that the United
states should buy the isiand-a suggestion pos
sibly worthy of consideration II there were any
evidence of "A desire or willingness on the part
OF spain to entertain such Il proposal IL Is
urged. finally. that. all other methods falling.
the existing internecne strife in Cuba should
be terminated by oL' intervention, even at the
cost Of war between the United states ana
Span-a war which its advocates confidently
prophesy could he neither large in its proper
tions nor doubtful in its issue.
The correctness OF this forecast need ne
neither affirmed nor denied. The United states
has nevertheless a character 10 maintain as a
not might should he the rule of its conduct.
Further. though the United States is not n
nation 20 which peace Is a necessity. IL IS IN
truth the most pacific Of powers. and desires
nothing so much as to live IN amity with all the
world It's own ample and diversified domains
satisfy all possible longings for territory pre-
cludc all dreams Of conquest. and prevent any
casting of covetous eyes upon neighborng re-
gons, however attractive. That our conduct
toward Spain and her dom!nions has constituted
no exception 10 this National disposition is made
i,t.f h. pf piIr
only thus far during the present insurrectioh.
but during the ten years that followed tne rlsih6
al Yara in 1865 No other great power. II may
safely 10 said. under circumstances OF slmllar
perplexity would have manifested the same re-
straint and the same patient endurance IL may
also be said that this persistent attitude OF tne
United States toward Spain in connection win
Cuba Internationally evinces no slight respect
and regard for Spain on the part of the Amer
can people They in truth 90 nor ioIGe, neI .
connection with tho discovery OF the western
Hemisphere nor do they underestimate the grrat
qualities of the Spanish people. nor FAN 10 iuliy
recognize their splendid PATRIOTISM anu '"e"
chivalrous devotion TO the national honor
They view with wonder and admiration the
cheerful resolution with which vas, p~outs ~ % %
mon are sent across thousands OF ih,'S y.
ocean and an enormous debt accumulated ,hat
tho costly nos ;,ssion of the Gem OF the Antilles
NAV still hold It's place In the spanish crown
And vet neither the Government nor the people
Of the United States have shut their eyes 10 the
course Of events in Cuba. or have failed 10 re-
alizc the existence of conceded grievances whlch
have led To the present revolt from III" au-
thorifv Of Snain-gricvances recognized by the
Queen Regent and 10y the Cortes. voiced ny
the most patriotic and enlightened OF spanish
statesmen without regard 10 party, ana u''''l-
strated by reforms proposed by the Execut'e
and approved by the legislative brahch OF the
Snan,sh Government. II ls I'm the assumed tenn
per and disposition ~ the Spanish Gov"rnment
70 remedy these griev,nces fortihtd by indi-
cations Of influential public opinion IN SPAN.
that This Government has hoped 10 discover the
most promising and effective means Of compos-
Ing the prcscn, strife. with honor and adyan,
iace TO Spain and with tie achievement OF HI
rho reasonable objects Of the insurrection.
AUTONOMY FOR CUBA
:, would se.n that II Spain should offer 20
Cuho genuine autonomy-a measure of home
r,Ie which while preserving the sovereignty or
Spain. would satisfy all rational requirements
y, bor euanish suhiecis-thcrc should be no
tust reason why the raclncaton of the Island
might not le Effected on that basis Such re-
suit would appear to be- in the true Interest oi
ou concerned II would n, once stop the conflict
which IS now consuming the resources or the
island and making II worthless for whenever
party may ultimately prevail ~ w.u'u ht,, ;, !,
her honor which viii be consulted rather man
mpugned by the adequate redress "f admitted
grievances. II would put IN" prosperity "i ,Wn'' W
island and the fortunes o! ifs inhabitants "l'hIii
their own control. without sev"rlnR the natufai
ana ancient ties which bind them To the mother
country and would set enable them 10 test th"it
capaoitv for self government under the most
fatora6la conditions II has been objected on
the one side that Spain should not promise
autonomy until her insurg"nt subjects lay down
their arms. on the ether side. that promised
autonomy. however lteral is insufficient. be
cause without assurance OF the promise D'lhs
fulfilled -
Suain of unconditional surrender on the part
Of the insurgcnt Cubans before their autonomy
IS conceded is not altogether apparent II ig-
neres important features OF TN" situation
stability two yeais' duration has given To the IN
surrcction: the feasibility ~ its indefinite pro-
Iougatiou in the nature ~ things. ana MS SHOWN
bv past experience: the utter anc imminent
ri,fu ~ the island un.ss the present strife is
speedily composed; above all. the rank abuses
which all parties in spain. all branchcs OF h'r
Government. and all her leading puh"c men cor
code to exist and profess "A desire 10 remove
Facing such circumstances. 10 withhold inc
proncr of needed reforms until III" parties d%e- %
manding them put themselves at mercy ny
throwing down their arms has the appearance
OF neglocting the gravest Of pcrils ana inviting
suspicion IA 10 the sincerity OF any proleSs'!
Willingness 10 grant reforms. Inc "pJ'' non @ "',
bchalf Of the insurPents-that promised REFORMS
cannot he relied uDon-Inust. of course. he con-
sider,I though We have no right TO assume anu
n, reason for assuming. that anythng SPAN
undertakes to do for the relief OF Cuba VIII no'
lao done according 10 both tie spirit and the let
ter OF the undertaking
EFFORTS TO HEAL THE BREACH
Nevertheless. realizing that suspicious and
urecautions on the part Of the weaker OF two
ccmbatants are always natural and not always
sincerely desirors In the In
terost Of both as well as on It's own account
that the Cuban problem should be solved with
the least possible delay-it was intimated by
,bie Cnvcrumcut TO the Government or spain
some mont hs az, that. il satisfactory measure
of home rule were rendered the cuban insur-
cents ana would be accepted by them upon Il
Guarantee Of lis execution the United State5
would cndeavor to find "A way not ohJectiohapie
10 Spain OF furnishing such guarantee. WINE
hoen received from the Spanish Government,
I, is believed to be not altosethe- unwclcone
while as already suggested. no reason Is per-
cevcd why It should not be approved ny ,ie III
sureents Neither party Tan fail to see the inn
nortance OF early action. and both must reaiize
mar 10 proiong the present state OF things Tor