The People's friend., 1896-12-11
narion, which plainly dictates that rirht ano

L
might should be the rule of its conduct.
Further, though the United States is not
nation to which peace is a necessity, 1t is. il
ruth, the most pacific of powers and desire.
nothing so much as TO live at amtty with al
the world It's own ample and diversified
domains satisfy all possible longings for ter.
r1tory. preclude all dreams of conques and
prevent the casting of any covetous eyes
upon neighboring regions however attract
I've That our conduct towards Spain and
her dominions has constituted no exception
to this national disposition is made manifest
Dy 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. il
may safely be said, under circumstances of
similar perplexity, would have manifested
the same restraint and the same patient en-
| durance.
It may also be said that this Persistent at
| utude of the United States towards Spain in
| connection with Cuba will Internationally
| eVlnCe 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 hemis-
| pnere, nor do they underestimate the great
Quahues or the Spanish people, nor fail TO
1uIIy recognize their splendid patriotism
and their chiyalrous devotion to the national
honor. They view with wonder and admira-
ton the cheerful resolution with which vast
miles of ocean and an enormous debt accum-
ulated. that the costly position OF the gem of
the Antilles may still hold It's place in the
Spanish crown. And yet neither the govern
ment nor the people of the United States
nave 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 authority 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 remon-
strated by reforms proposed by the execu-
tive and approved by the legislative branch |
OF the Spanish government
IL is IN the assumed temper and DISPOSE |
uon or the Spanish government to remedy |
these grievances. fortified by indica ms of |
lnnuental public opinion in Spain that this
government has hoped to discover the most
promising and effective means of composing
the present strife. with honor and advan-
tage to Spain and with the achievement of
all the reasonable objects of the insurrec-
ton.
1t would seem that if Spain would offer to
Cuod genuine autonomy, measure of home
rule which, while preserving the sover-
elrmty OF Spain, would satisfy all rational
require ements OF her Spanish subjects there
'nouId be no just reason WHY the pacifica-
lon OF the island might not be effected on
nat oasis Such result would appear to
concerned. |
would at once stop the conflict which is now |
consuming the resources of the island and |
making 1t worthless for whichever party
nay ultimately prevail 1t would keep in
act the possessions of Spain without touch
ng her honor, which will be consulted
dtner than impugned by the adequate re-
EeSS OF admitted grievances. 1t would mt
ne prosperity of the island and the fortunes {
ltS inhabitants within their own control I
'lthout severing the natural and anciep
es winch bind them to the mother country. '
nd would yet enable them to test their ca S
dClty LOT self government under the most Y
lvorable conditions b
IL mas been objected on the one side that a
pain should not promise autonomy until Il
er lnsurgent subjects lay down their arms 4
the other side, that promised autonomy.
owever liberal, is insufficient because |
led. S;
But the reasonab bleness of a requirement o
7 spain, OF unconditional surrender on the ii
lrt OF the Insurgent Cubans before their o.
ltonomy Is conceded is not altogether ap-
trent 1t Ignores important features Of a
e situation-the stability two wears, durs W
On mas given to the instructions; the feas- la
iiity OF ltS prolongatton in the nature of al
tngs' ana as SHOWN by past experience the u
ter and imminent ruin of the island unless In
present strife is speedily composed: 1e
owe ALL the rank abuses which all narties a
Spain, all branches of her povernmen+ at
q al ner leading public men concede to III
ISL ana profess desire to remove Facing at
III circumstances, to Withhold the proffer pe
Heeueu REFORMS until the parties demand
lnem put themselves at mercy by throw ,
down their arms, has the appearance of 49,
ylecting the gravest of perils and invitina oil
plclon as to the sincerity of anv nro- ~ 4
sea Willingness to grant reforms The :"
eCuon on behalf of the insurgents-that ~
,niiseu iiS'e IeIorm canot be relied upon-must of
course be considered, though we have no - t,o
nj TO assume. and no reason for asspn 4le
that anything Spain undertakes 10 do Cdl
the reIlet OF Cuba will not be done ac- ~ NJ
ulng 10 both the spirit and the letter of u' uo'
undertaking. wo
realizing that susnicfons to
precautions on the part of the weaker cor
NO combatants are ALWAYS nat,,raI M, pro
always unJustitiable. being sincerely de- wa
us i'll the interest of both as well as on OF
own account, that the Cuban problem oi"
lld be soSfed with the least possible de- ma
it was inUmated by this government IN con
of Spain some months ayo tina
1t 4 satisfactory me aSure of home ruIe "oF
rendered thS|uban insurgents. and "or
Ia be accepted by them upon guaranty thel
5 execution, the Unifsd States would en- mas
-or to find a wav NOT f~obiectionahie W Tni,
n of furnishing such gnS-antv. ICbtie arti
ehnite response TO this intifnatton has On
zen received from the Spanish SQvernz tnat
:" =" - oeueVed 10 be not altogeta$- m uaT
ONE while. as already suggested no SCnl
on Is perceived why IL should not he an Ou
eu oy the insurgents. neither party can tion
to see the importance of earIv 80. duri
both must realize that tn nroir-.,L If al
mt state of things for even A sbort the
u VIII add enormously TO the time ana tory
and expenditure necessary to br1ny were
the industrial recuperation of ths were
u IL Is therefore, ferventlv hoDed o9S-
grounds that earnest efforts for besd road
lie breach between Spain and the in their
NJ Cubans, upon the lines above fndi- an In
may be at once tnaugurated and year
% TO an Immediate successful fssne incre
friendly ofdces of the United Sfa,eq 4-43
IN the manner above outlined a. less
ther way consistent with our constf,u- chief
hd laws Will always be at the disposal regul
her party. P>'"' Of tn.
ltever circumstances NAV ar-fse o,,~ The
and our interests would coustrair Nc much
ect 20 the acquisition of the island or ing "
et etIerence with its control by anvother iSlat!
lId oe added that il cannot be r-casr, secon
ssumed that the hitherto exre~,,r, mainI
le OF the United States will bc tpdee- the I'd
maintained ries
e We arc anxious to accord ali due rc- tTeTlo
o Inc sovereignty of Spain ve r-uno. hous
ne pending conflict in ali its fcaturcs the Il,
operiE appTeheud our inevitable reia- This
10 Il and It's possible results witoo+, length
ering that BY the course OF events vr.
F4wn into such an unusual anr ar -,
ehted condition a. Will fix q mt IN A"e