The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-07


casting OF covetous eyes upon neighbor-
ing REGIONS. however attractive. That our
conduct towards Spain and her domin-
ions have constituted no exception TO
this national disposition Is made mani
Test by the course OF our government.
NOT only thus far during the present
inaurrection. but during the ten years
THAT followed the rising nj Yara In 1865.
No other great power. u may he safely
said, under circumstances OF similar per-
plexity. would have manifested the same
restraint and the same patient endur-
ance. IL may also be said that this per-
sistent attitude of the Unitod States to-
ward Spain IN connection with Cuba.
unqUeslionably evi.cos no slight respect
ana regard for spain on the part of the
American people. They. in truth. do not
forget hor connection with the discovery
OF the western hemisphere, nor do they
underestimate the great qualities OF the
Spanish people nor fail TO fully recognize
their splendid patriotism and their chN-
alrous Hvotion TO the national honor.
They view with wonder and admiration
the cheerful resolution with which vast
bodies of men are sent across tnousahus
OF miles OF ocean and an onerous dept
accumulated that the costly posseAsloh
OF the Gem Of the Antilles may stu hoid
it's place in the Spanish crown
And yet neither the government nor the
people OF the United states nave smut
their eyes 70 the course or events In
cnba. or have failed 20 realize the exist
ence of conceded grievances which have
led to the present revolt from the author-
itv OF Spaln-grevanccs recognized by
the queen regent and by the cortes, voicet
by the most patriotic and enlightened OF
Spanish statesmen. without regard 10
party and demonstrated by reforms pro
poeed bv the executive and approved Dy
the legislative branch OF the Spanish gov
eminent. Ii Is In the assumed temper
and disposition OF the spanish govern
ment TO remedy these grievances. forl-
fed by indications OF influential public
opinion in Spain. that this government
has hopes 10 discover tho most promising
and effective means or composing the
present strife with honor and Advantage
10 Spain and with thu achievement or all
the reasonable objects of the insu'rec-
tion.
II would seem that II Spain should offer
IN Cuba genuine autonomy-a measure
OF home rule which. while preserving the
sovereignty OF Spain. would satisfy an
rational requirements or her spanish SUD
iects-there should be no just reason why
the qualification OF the island might not
he effected on that basis. Such result
would nppear TO be IN the true interest
of all concerned. IL would at once stop
the conflict which Is now consuming the
resources of the island and making II
worthless for whichever party may ulti-
mately prevail. 1T would keep intact the
possessions OF Spain without touching her
honor, which will be consulted rather
than impugned by the adequate redress
of admitted grievances.
II would put the prosperity or the
island and the fortunes OF its lnhapl-
tants within their own control. without
scvering the natural and ancient ties
Ia t1.ap tn a rr1OfhDr
ard would yet enable them to test their
capncity FOR self-government under the
,nost favorable conditions. IL has been
objected on the one side that spain
should not promise autonomy unth her
insurCcnt subjects lay down their arms'
on the other side. that promised auton-
onlv. however liberal rs insufficient, DC
cause without assurance OF ,ue promise
being fulfilled.
But the reasonableness OF requirement
by Spain OF unconditional surrender on
the part OF the insurgent Cubans before
their autonomy Is conceded, Is not alto
gether apparent Ii ignores important
features OF the sltuaton-the stapiilty
two years' duration has given 10 the in
surrcc:ion; the feasibility OF it's indefinite
urolongation In tho nature Of things, and
os shown by past experience, the utter
ond Imminent ruin OF the Island, unless
the present strife 70 speedily composed;
above all the rank abuses which All par
ties in Spain. all branches OF her gov
eminent and all her Lending pubic men
concede TO exist and profess a desire 10
remove. 80
Facing such circumstances, 10 with
hold the proffer OF needed reforms until
the parties demanding them put them
selves at mercy by throwing down their
arms has the appearance or negiectihs
the gravest OF perils and inviting suspi-
.t.. of " nr0lRgSG1
willingness TO grant reforms. The ob)ec-
tion on behalf OF the insurgents-that
proriscd reforms cannot be relied upon
must. of course. be considered. though We
have no right to assume and no reason
for assuming, that anything spain uhder,
takes 10 do for the teller OF Cuoa VIII
not be done according 10 Doth the spirit
and the letter of the undertaking.
Nevertheless. realizing that suspicious
and precautions on the part OF the weaker
of two combatgnts are always naturai
and not always rjuStihahie-being SIN
ccrelv deslrous In tho interests OF poth
as well as on It's own account that the
Cuban problem should be solved with the
least possihlo delay--it was intimated
nv This gov. rnment to the government
of spain some months ago that IL
satisfactory measure OF home rule were
rendered the Cuban insurgents, and would
be accepted by them upon a guaranty OF
It's execution. tho Galtcd States would en-
deavor TO find a way not Objectionable
TO Spain OF furnishing such guaranty.
While no definite response to this inti-
nation has yet been received from the
Spanish government. n is believed TO be
-.4teee+i4-fA -fA.4.rtT-ieef.fe uf-
ready suggested. no reason Is perceived
why Il should not be approved hy the i'm
surgents. Mother party can fan TO see
to Importance Of early action and both
must realzc that 90 proong the present
state Of things for even n short period
VIII add enormously 10 the time and
labor and expenditure necessary 70 briug
about the industrial recuperation OF the
island. II II, therefore, fervently hoped
on all grounds. that earnest efforts for
healing the breach between Spain and
the insurgent Cubans. upon the lines
above indicated. may be at once inau-
rurated and pushed 10 an immediate and
successful Issue. The friendly Offices OF
the United Siatoa. either in the manner
above outl!aed. or In aay other way cos.-
sistcnt with orr constitution and laws.
will always be az the disposal OF either
aarty. Whatever circumstances may
arise. our policy and our Interests would
cons;rain us 20 object TO the acquisition
Of the island or an Interference with It's
control by any other power.