Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-08
HIS LAST MESSAGE.
Continued From First Page.

government, and not unnsturally regarded
with much indignation by the country Of
their origin.
The insurgents are undoubtedly encOur-
aged and supported by the widespread
sympathy the people of this country al
ways ins tinctiYely feel for every struggle
for better and freer government, and
which. in the case Of the more acTeHtur-
Gus and restless elements OF our popula-
1ion, leads In only too many instances to
active and personal participation n the
contest
The result IS that this government IS
constantly called upon 10 protect Ameri-
can ciuizens, 10 claim damages for injuries
10 persons and property. now estimated at
many millions Of dollars, ard to ask eX-
plantations and apologies for the acts Of
Spanish officials. whose zeal for the re-
preston of rebellion sentiments blinds
them 10 the immunities belonging to the
unofending citizens Of a friendly power.
Uncle SANS Policy.
II follows from the same causes that the
United States IL compelled to actively po-
lice a long line or sea coast against unlaw-
ful expeditions. the escape OF which the
utmost vigilance VIII not always suffice
10 prevent.
These inevitable entanglements OF the
United States with the rebellion in Cuba, the
large American property interests affected,
and considerations OF philanthropy and hu-
Inanity in general. have led to a vehement
demand in various quarters for some sort
of positive Intervention on the part OF the
United States. II was at first proposed
that beIIigerent rights should be accorded
20 the insurgents, A proposition no longer
urged. because untimeIy. and in practical
operation clearly peTilous and injurious to
our own interests.
It has since been, ard is now sometimes,
conterded that the Independence of The in
surcents should be recognized. Bnt, i'm
perfect and restricted as the Spanish gov
ernment Of th. island may be. no other
exists there unless the viii cf the military
officer in temporary command of a partic-
ular district can be dignided as a Species
OF government.
Il is now also suggested that the
United States should buy the island,
a suggestion possibly worthy Of con-
B!deTaton if there were aay evidence
OF 4 desire or willingness on the
part of Spain to entertain such a proposal.
it is urged, finally, that all other methods
failing, the existing intcrnecine strife in
Cuba should be terminated by our inter
ventiOu, even at the cost of a war between
the United States and Spair-a war which
3's advocates confidently prophesy could
BE- neither large in its proportions nor
doubtful in its issue. The correctness OF
denied. The United States has, neVerthe-
les, character 10 maintain as a nation.
which plainly dictates that right, and not
might, should be the rule Of its conduct
United States Not Seeking War
Further though the United States is lot
a nation to which peace is necessity, 1t
IS in truth the most pacific of powers, and
desires nothing so much as TO live in amty
with all the world. Its own ample and Oil
versifiod domains satisfy all possible !ong-
ings for territory, preclude all dreams OF
conquest and prevent any casting of covet-
Gus eyes upon neighboring regions, how
ever attractive. That our conduct toTard
Spain and her domains has constituted no
exception to this national disposition is
made manifest by the course of our gov
ernment, not only thus far during the
present insurrection, but during the ten
years that followed the rising at Yara in
1865. No other great power, it may safely
be said, under circumstances Of similar
perplexity, would have manifested the
same restraint and the same patient en-
durance.
It may also he said that this persistent
attitude of the United States toward Spain
fn connection with Cuba unquestion-
ably evinces no slight respect and regard
for Spain on the part of the American peo-
pie. They, in truth. do not forget her con~
nection with the discovery of the Western
hemisphere. nor 90 lNeN underestimate Ine
great qualities of the Spanish people, nor
fail to fully recognize their splendid patrf-
otism 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
enormous debts accumulated, that the
costly possession of the gem of the AM
titles may stfA hold its place in the Span
tsh crown.
Autonomy the Proper Solution.
And yet neither the government nor the
people of the United States have shut their
eyes 10 the course of events in Cuba or
have failed to realize the existence of COM
ceitd grievances which have led to the
present revolt from the authority of Spain
grievances recognized by the queen re-
gent and by the cUrtes. voiced in the most
patriotic and enlightened of Spanish states
men, without regard to party, remOnstrat-
ed toy reforms proposed by the executive
and approved by the legislative branch of
the Spanish government.
I is - the assumed temper and diSDosi-
tioH cf ;ha Spanish government to remedy
+l,oEa grievances. fortified by Indications Of
inhGrHtfal public opinion in Spain, that
this Eoyeinment has hoped 70 discover the
most promising and effective means Of
COMPROMISING tho present strife with honor
and advantage to Spain and with the
OF the instruction. IT would seem that If
Spain should offer to Cuba genuine autoT-
cmy measure Of home rule which while
presorviu- he sovereignty of Spain wouId
sa,isfy an rational requirements of her
Spanish subjects, there should he no Just
rca -on why the pacifcatiou of the island
might not he effected on that basis.
Such result would appear to be in the
1rua interest OK all concerned. 1t would at
= BF he n1s vTrFf Fe
sum.rg the resources @: the island and
making II worthless for whichever party
may ultimately prevail.
wouId BE Victory for Spain.
II would keep intact the possessions OF
spain v''hou' toGahinE re- honor which
will be co1s.i.ea rather than impugnpd nv
ehe adecuaf- redress os admitted gricv-
aroe-- i would rut :he prosperity OF the
island ard th" fortunes OF its inhabitants
within th"ir own control without severing
the natural and ancient ties which bind
them 10 tho mother ,ouatrv. and would
Vt enable them 30 tcst their CaDacf.v for
-It-E7vornment under the mos: fayorabl.
Conditions.
n has been objected on the one side that
SUaiu should not promise autonomy until
\ 7r irsnr-eut subjects Law dow, +bsir
arms: on the other side. that rror,JsaI
aut@romy. however liberal, Is insufficient
hfraus" without assurance oF the promise,
b@i-~ fulfilled. RUt the reasorab bIeness of
q r,gHiremcut hy Spain Of unaordfticnaI
sur7era"T on the part Of the iusurEert Gu
b5HF HrE'5" their autonomy Is conceded is
not al'orNfhrr apparent. II Ignores i'm,
par'anr features OF the situation-the sta
hilit- Two years duration has given 20 the
fnsurrertior. the feasibility of its indefinite
pro."uEation IN the nature or things and
a shown 10y past experience the utter and