Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1896-12-11
sonaI parlIelpallon in the con.esl.

lean citizens, to claim damages for In
luries to persons and property now est
mated at many millions of dollars, an
to ask explanations and apologies TO
the acts of Spanish officials, whose yea
tor the repression of rebellion bind
them to the immunities belongin,
to the offending citizens of a friendl,
power. 1t follows from the same causes
that the United States is compelled t.
actively police long line of seacoas
against unlawful expeditions, the
escape of which the utmost 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.
trophy and humanity in general, have
led to a vehement demard in various
quarters for some sort of positive inter.
veniion on the part of the United States.
1t was at first proposed that beliger.
emf rights should be acc orded the insnr.
gents-a proposition no longer weighed
because untimely and in practical opera
ton clearly perilous and injuries to our
own interests, 1t has since been and is
now sometimes contended that the in
dependence of the insurgents should be
recognized. But imperfect and restrict.
d as the Spanish government of the
island mo AZ he
unless the will of the military officer in
temporary command of a particular
district can be dignifed as a species of
government. It Is row also suggested
that the United States should buy the
islahd-a suggestion possibly worthy OF
consideration ifthere were any evidences
of desire or willingness on the part of
Spain to entertain such proposal. 1t
is urged, finally, that, all other methods
failing, the existing internecine strife in
Cuba should be terminated by our inter-
vention even at the cost of a war be-
tween the United States and Spain-a
war which its advocates confidently
prophesy could neither be large in It's
proportions or doubtful In Its issue.
The correctness of this forecast need
be neither affirmed nor denied. The
United States has nevertheless a char
acter 10 maintain as a nation, which
plainly dictates that right and not might
should be the rule of Its conduct.
Further, though the United States is
not nation, to which peace is ne
cessity, 1t is In truth the most pacific
of powers, and desires nothing SO mnch
as to live in amity with all the world
It's own ample and diversified domains
satisfy all possible longings for territory
preclude all dreams of conquest, and
prevent any casting of covetous eyes
upon neighboring regions, however at
tractive. That our conduct toward
Spain and her dominions has constitut.
ed no exception to this national dispo-
sition, is made manifest by the course
of our government, not only thus far
during the present insurrectien, but dur
ing the ten years that followed the ris-
ing at Yara in 1868.
!. No other great power, II may be safe.
ly said, under circumstances of similar
perplexity, would have manifested the
same restraint and the same patient en-
durance
1t may also be said that this persistent
attitude of the United States toward
Spain In connection with Cuba unques.
tionably evinces no slight respect and
regard for Spain on the part of the
American neople. They in truth do not
forget her connection with the discov-
cry 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 chivalrous devotion to the Ma.
tional 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 accumulated that
the costly possession of the Gem of the
Antilles may still hold It's 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 con.
ceded grievances which have led to the
present revolt from the authority of
Spain-grievanccs 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
roposed by the executive and approved
ply the legislative branch of the Spanish
Government. II Is Ia the assumed
temper and disposition of the Spanish
Government 10 remedy these griev-
ances, fortified by indications of infu-
entail 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 advantage to Spain and with the
achievement of all the reasonable OBJ
jects of the insurrection.
1t would seem that If Spain would
offer to Cuba genuine autonomy
measure of home rule which, while pre-
serving the sovereignty of Spain, would