The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-07

Z before their autonomy is conceded is
not altogether apparent 1t ignores inn
portant fea lures Of the situation the
stability two years duration has given
20 the lnsurrectiOn, the feasibility Of its
indefinite DrOlDngatiOn i'm the nature of
things and as shown by past expert
ence the utter and imminent ruin of the
/ island, unless the present strife is
speedily composed; above all he rank
abuses which all parties IN spain, all
branches of her government and all her
leading public men cOncede to exist and
profess a desire TO remove
SHOULD NOT WITHHOLD RE
FORMS.
Facing such circumstances to with
hold the proffer of needed reform until
the parties demanding them put them
selves at mercy BY throwing down
their arms. has the appearance Of neg
lecting the gravest of periIs and inVit-
ing suspicion as to the sincerely of any
professed willingness to grant reforms
The objection on behalf of the insur-
gents that promised reform cannot be
relied on, must Of course be considered.
though we have no right to assume,and
no reason for assuming. that anything
Spain undertakes to do for the relief of
Cuba viii not be done according to both
the spirit and the letter OF the under
taking
Nevertheless realizing that suspicion
and precautions on the part OF the
weaker of two cOmbatants are always
natural and not always unjustifiab BILE,
being sincerely DESTROYS in the interest
( Of both as we'll as on its own account,
that the Cuban problem should be sOlV-
ed with the least possible delay, il was
intimated by this government to the
government Of Spain some months ago
that if a satisfactory measure Of home
rule were rendered the Cuban insur-
gents and would be accepted by them
upon guaranty Of its execution, the
l United States would endeavor to find a
way not Objectionable to Spain of
furnishing such guaranty
While no definite response to this
intimation has yet been received from
the Spanish government, 1T is believed
to be not altogether unwelcome While
as already suggested, no reason is per
ceived why it should not be approved
by the insurgents. neither party can
! fail to see the importance OF early ac-
ton and both must realize that to pro-
long the present state Of things for even
a short period viii add enormously to
the time and labor and expenditure
necessary to bring about the industrial
recuperatiOn of the island Tt is there
fore fervently hoped on all grounds that
earnest efforts for healing the breach
betweenSpain and the fnsurgentCubans
upon the lines above indicated may be
at once inaugurated and pushed to an
immediate successful issue. The friend
~ Offices Of the United States, either in
the manner above outlined or in any
other way consistent with our constitu-
ton ana laws viii always be at the
disposal Of either party. Whatever cir
cumstances may arise our policy and
our interests would constrain us to OBJ
: j
an Interference with its control by any
LIMIT TO PATIENCE.
Tt should be added that it cannot be
reasonably assumed that the hitherto
expectant 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 fea-
lures and properly apprehend our ineV-
liable relations to il and its possible re-
suits without considering that by the
course Of events we may be drawn into
such an unusual and unprecedented
condition. as viii fix q limit to our pa
tient waiting for Spain to end the con-
test, either alone and in her own way
or with our friendly cooperation When
the inability of Spain to deal successful
~ with the insurrectiOn has become
manifest, and II IS demonstrated that
her sovereignty is extinct in Cuba for
all purposes of its rightful existence.
and when a hopeless struggle for its re-
establishment has degenerated into
strife which means nothing more than
the useless sacrifice of human life ana
the utter destruction of the very subject
matter of the conflict a situation viii
be presented in which our obligations
to the sovereignty of Spain viii be SUI
perseded by higher obligations which
We can hardly hesitate to recognize and
Deferring the choice Of ways and
methods until the time for action ar
rives, we should make them depend
upon LilE precise GOlIlIlONS TnGn exist
ing, and they should not be determined
upon without giving careful heed to
every cOnsid eratiOn involving our honor
and interest. or the international duty
we owe to Spain Until we face the con
tingencies suggested, or the situation is
by other incidents imperatiVely changed
we should continue in the line OF con-
duct heretofore pursued, thus in all cir
cumstances exhibiting our obedience TO
the requirements of public law and our
regard for the duty enjoined upon us
by the position we occupy in the family
of nations
TIME TO ACT MAY COME.
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 7 have deem
ed not amiss to remind the congress
that a time may arrive when a correct
policy and care for our interests, as we'll
as regard for the interests OF other ma
tiOns and their citizens Joined by con-
siderations of humanity and a desire to
see rich and fertile country. Intimately
related 10 US. rescued from complete de-
vastation VIII cOnstrain our government
to such action as viii subserve the in
terests thus involved and The same time
promise Cuba and its Inhabitants an
opportunity to enjoy the blessings Of
peace
THE VENEZUELA BOUNDARY