The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1896-12-08

ties of the Spanish people, nor fail to
fully recognize their splendid patriotism
and their chivalrous devotion to the
national honor. They view with won
der and admiration the cheerful resolu-
tions 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 nor have failed to realize the ex-
tent of conceded grievances which have
led to the present revolt from the au-
thority 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
reforms proposed by the executive and
approved 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 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 achievment of all the ostensible OBJ
ioota of tho ipcurraofiop
AUTONOMY FOR CUBA.
1t would seem that if Spain should Of
fer to Cuba genuine autonomy-a meas
ure of home rule, which, while preserv-
ing the sovereignty to Spain, would
satisfy all rational requirements of her
Spanish subjects-there should be nc
just reason why the pacifcation of the
island might not be effected on that
basis. Such result would appear to be
in the true interest of all concerned. II
would stop at once the conflict which is
now consuming the resources of the
island and making it worthless fol
whichever party may ultimately pre-
vail. It would keep intact the posses.
sions of Spain without touching heI
honor, which will be consulted rather
than impugned by the adequate redress
of admitted grievances. 1t would put
the property of the island and the for.
tunes of its inhabitants within their OWE
control, without severing the natura
and ancient ties which bind them to tn,
mother country, and would yet enable
them to test their capacity for self-gov
ernment under the most favorable con
ditions.
1t has been objected on the one sidt
that Spain would not promise antonom,
until her insurgent subjects lay dowI
their arms; on the other side, tha
promised autonomy, however liberal, ii
insufficient, because without assurance
of the promise being fulfilled. But tn,
reasonableness of the requirement b,
/ Spain of unconditional surrender on tn,
part of the insurgent Cubans before thei
autonomy is conceded, is not altoge the
apparent. 1t ignores important feature
of the situation: The stability tw'
years. duration has given to the insur
rection the feasibility of its indefnit
lprolongation in the nature of things a
shown by past experience; the ute
and imminent ruin of the island unles
the present strife is speedily composed
and, above all, the rank abuses whicl
all parties in Spain, all branches of he
government, and all her leading publ
men concede to exist and profess de
sire co remove.
! Facing such circumstances. to with
hold the proffer of needed reforms unit
1.-THE parties demauding them put them