Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-12-11

sNHS thS SUBJECT criminal DrOseCu-
tions. Some of them. though Cubana at
heart and In all their feelings and in.
terests. have taken out papers as nat
uralized citizens of the United States. a
proceeding resorted to with a view ia
possible protection by this government
ana not unnaturally regarded with much
Indignation by the country OF their orr
gin. The insurgents are undoubtedly en-
couraged and supported by the wide
spread sympathy the people of this coun-
try always and instinctively feel for ev-
cry struggle for better and freer gov
eminent and which, In the case of the
more adventurous and restless elements
Of our population. leads in only too many
instances TO active and personal partici-
patton In the contest. The result is that
this government is constantly called upon
to protect American citizens, to claim
damages for injuries to persons and prop
erty, now estimated at many millions of
dollars, and to ask explanations and apol-
ogies for the acts of Spanish officials,
whose zeal for the repression of rebel
Hon sometimes blinds them to the I'm
munities belonging to the unoffending
citizens OF a friendly power 1t follows
from the same causes that the United
States Is compelled to actively police a
long line of seacoast against unlawful
expeditions. the escape of which the ut
most vigilance will not always suffice to
prevent.
These inevitable entanglements Of the
United States with the rebellion in Cuba,
the large American property interests
affected, and considerations of philan-
thropy and humanity in general have led
to vehement demand In various quar-
tiers, for some sort of positive interven-
tion on the part of the United States. 1t
was at first proposed that belllgerents
rights should be accorded to the insurgents
"a proposition no longer urged. because
untimely and in practical operation clear
" perilous and injurious to our own in
tsrestS. 1t has since been, and Is now
sometimes commended that the indepen-
oence of the insurgents should be recog-
nized. But imperfect and restricted as
, the Spanish government Of the island NAV
be. no other exists there-unless the will
OF the military officer in temporary COM
mand of a particular district, can be
dignitied as a species OF government II
is now also suggested that the United
States should buy the island-a suggestion
possibly worthy OF consideration, even II
there were any evidence of a desire or
willingness on the part of Spain to en-
terrain such proposal. 1t is urged, nm
ally. that, all other methods falling, the
existing internecine strife in Cuba should
be terminated by our Intervention, even
at the cost of a war between the United
States and Spain-a war which its ad
vocates confidently prophecy could he
neither large in its proportions nor
Doubtful in its issue.
The correctness OF this forecast need
be neither affirmed nor denied. The
United States has nevertheless a cbarac
try to maintain as a nation which plainly
ly dictates that right and not might
I should be the rule of its conduct Though
the United States is not a nation TO
which peace is a necessity IT is in truth
the most pacific of powers. and desires
nothing so much as to live in amity
T q n 20 ayaA
diversified domains satisfy all possible
longings for territory. preclude all
dreams OF conquest, and prevent any
casting of covetous eyes upon neighbour
Ing regions, however attractive. That our
conduct towards Spain and her domn-
Ions have constituted no exception to
this national disposition is made mani
fest by the course of our government.
not only thus far during the present
insurrection, but during the ten years
that followed the rising at Yara in 1868.
No other great power, it may be safely
said, under circumstances of similar per-
plexity, would have manifested the same
restrs mt and the same patient endur-
ance. II may also be said that this per-
1istent attitude of the United States to-
ward Spain In connection with Cuba,
unquestionably evinces no slight respect
and regard for Spain on the part of the
American people. They, In TRUTH do not
forget her 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 chiv-
alrous devotion to the national honor.
They view with wonder and admiration
the cheerful resolution with which vast
bodies of men are sent across thousands
Of miles of ocean and an onerOus debt
accumulated that the costly possession
OF the Gem of the Antilles may still hold
its place in the Spanish crown.
And yet neither the government nor the
people OF the United States have shut
their eyes to the course of events in
Cuba, or have failed to realize the exist
ence of conceded grievances which have
led to the present revolt from the author
ity of Spain-grievances recognized by
the queen regent and by the cortes. voiced
by the most patriotic and enlightened Of
Spanish statesmen, without regard TO
party, and demonstrated by reforms pro.
posed by the executive and approved by
the legislative branch of the Spanish gov
eminent. 1t is in the assumed temper
and disposition OF the Spanish govern
ment to remedy these grievances, forth
ned by indications of influential public
opinion In Spain, that this government
has hopes to discover the most promising
and effective means of composing the
present strife. with honor and advantage
to Spain and with the achievement of all
Ine TedSOudDle OpJcCtS VI lhS ihSu' lSS-
ton.
1t would seem that II Spain should offer
to Cuba genuine autonomy-a measure
Of home rule which. while preserving the
sovereignty of Spain, would satisfy all
rational requirements of her Spanish sub
jects-there should be no just reason why
the pacification of the island might not
be erected on that basis. Such a result
would appear to be in the true interest
of all concerned. 1t would at once stop
the conflict which Is now consuming the
resources of the island and making 1t
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.
IT would put the prosperity Of the
island and the fortunes of its inhabi-
tants within their own control, without
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 favorabh conditions. 1t has been
objected on the one side that Spain
should not promise autonomy until her
insurgent subjects lay down their arms;
on the other side, that promised auton-
omy, however liberal is insufficient, be-
cause without assurance Of the promise
being fulfilled
But the reasonableness OF a requirement
by Spain, of unconditional surrender on
the part OF the insurgent Cubans before
their autonomy is conceded, Is not alto
Eether apparent. 1t ignores important
features OF the situation-the stability
two years duration has given to the In
uurrection; the feasibility OF its indefinite
H. h. 90 I'M o.