The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-12-08

boring 'g19nS, however attractive. That ]
our conduct toward Spain and her domin- /
ions has constituted no exception to this |
national disposition is made manifest 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, 1t may safely be said, under cir
cumstances of similar perplexity, would
have manifested the same restraint and
the same patient endurance 1t may also
be said that this persistent attitude of tho
United States toward 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 rec
ognize their splendid patriotism and their
chivalrous 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 enormous debt ac-
cumulated 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 existence Of conceded griey-
ances, 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 en-
lightened of Spanish statesmen without
regard to party and demonstrated by re-
| forms proposed by the executive and ap-
proved by the Legislative branch of the
| Spanish government 1t is in the assumed
| temper and disposition of the Spanish
/ government to remedy these grievances
| fortified by indications Of influential pub
lie opinion in Spain that this government
has hoped to discover the most promising
and effective means of composing the pres
ent strife with honor and advantage to
Spain and with the achievement Of all the
reasonable objects of the instruction.
The Autonomy OF Cuba.
1t would seem that If Spain should offer
to Cuba genuine autonomy-a measure of
home rule which, while preserving the SOW
ereignty of Spain, would satisfy all ration
al requirements Of her Spanish subjects
there should be no just reason why the
pacifcation of the island might not bo
effected on that basis. Such result would
appear to be in the true interest of all con-
cerned. 1t would at once stop the conflict
which is now consuming the resources of
the island and making 1t worthless for
whichever party may ultimately 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 griey-
ances. 1t would put the prosperity of the
island and the fortunes Of its inhabitants
within their own control without severing
| hn cxxrbt nd
them to the mother country and would yet
enable them to test their capacity for self
government under the most favorable con-
ditions. 1t has been objected on the one
side that Spain should not promise auton-
omy until her insurgent subjects lay down
their arms; on the other side, that promised
autonomy, however liberal, Is insufficient
because without assurance of the 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. 1t ignores important
features OF the situation-the stability two
years. duration has given to the insurrec-
ton; the feasibility of its indefinite pro-
longation in the nature Of things and as
shown by past experience; the utter and
imminent rpin of the island unless the
present strife is speedily composed; above
ALL the 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. Facing
such circumstances, to withhold the proffer
, of needed reforms until the parties demand
ing them put themselves at mercy by
throwing down their arms has the appear
ance of neglecting the gravest Of perils and
inviting suspicion as to the sincerity of
any professed willingness to grant reforms.
Tho objection on behalf Of the insurgents
that promised 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
undertakes to do for the relief Of Cuba will
not be done according to both the spirit
and the letter Of the undertaking.
, 4 Gentle Il Mt to Spain.
( Nevertheless, realizing that suspioions
al Il precautions on the part of the weaker
t of two combatants are always natural and
| not always notwithstanding sincerely
, desirous in the interest of both as well as
J ON its own account that the Cuban problem
| should be solved with the least possible de-
lay-it 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 insurgents
, and would be accepted by them upon .
guarantee of its execution, the United
/ States would endeavor to find way not
} Objectionable to Spain Of furnishing such
| guarantee While no definite response to
, this intimation has yet been received from
the Spanish government, it is believed to be
not altogether unwelcome, while, as al
ready suggested no reason is perceiYed
why 1t should not be approved by the In
J surgents. Neither party can fail to see the
importance of early action, and both must
realize that to prolong tho present state Of
things for even short period will add
enormously to the time and labor and OK.
| penditure necessary to bring about tho in