The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-07
CLEVELAND'S
LAST WORD.
Continued from First Page.I

inaI prosecution Some of them. though
Cubans a heart and in all their Ieel-
ings in interests, have taken out papers
as naturalized citizens of the United
States, a proceeding resorted to with a
view to possible protection by this gov
eminent and not unnaturally regarded
with much Indignation by the country
of their origin The insurgents are I'M
doubleday encouraged and supported by
the widespread sympathy of the people
of this country always instinctIvely felt
for every struggle for better and freer
government. and which in the case Of
the more adventurous and restless ele-
ments OF our population, leads IN many
instances TO active and personal parrlc-
ipatiOn in the contest The result is that
this government is constantly called
upon to protect American citizens, to
claim damages for injuries 10 persons
and property, now estimated at many
millions OF dollars. and to ask eXplana-
tiOus and apologies for the acts OF
Spanish officials whose zeal for the re-
preston of rebellion blinds them 70 the
immunities belonging to the unDmend-
ing citizens Of a friendly power
THE DESIRE FOR INTERN ENTION-
1t follows from the same causes that
the United States is compelled 10 act
lively police a long line Of sea coast
against unlawful expeditions. the eS-
cape of which the utmost vigilance will
not always suffice to prevent These in
eVltable acknowledgements of the United
States with the rebellion in Cuba, the
large American property interests af-
Iected and considerations of phllanthrO-
py and humanity in general. have led
TO vehement demand in various quar-
tiers, for some sort of positive interVen-
ton on the part of the United States.
IL was at urSE proposed that Dellig-
erent rights should be accorded TO the
Insurgents, q proposition no longer
urged because untimely and in prac-
tical operation clearly perilous and in
curious to our own interests. 1T has
since been and IS now sometimes con-
tended that the independence of the in
surgents should be recognized. But
imperfect and restricted as the Spanish
government Of the island may be, no
other exists there, unless the viii of
the military officer in temporary com
mand of a. particular district can be
dignifed as a species of government. 1t
is now also suggested that the United
States should buy the island sug-
gestiOn possibly worthy of cOnsidera-
tiOn if there We're any evidence Of q
desire or willingness on the part of
Spain to entertain such a proposal 1t
is urged, finally that all other meth
DDS failing. the existing internecine
strife in Cuba should be terminated by
our intervention. even at the cost of q
war between the United States and
Spain a war which its advocates con-
ndently prOphesy could be neither large
in its proportions nor doubtful III its
Issue. The correctness of this forecast
need be neither affirmed nor denied.
The United States has nevertheless q
which plainly dictates that right and
not might should be the rule Of its con
duct.
TERRITORY ENOUGH WITHOUT
BUYING.
Further though, the United States
is not a. nation to which peace is a
necessity. 1t is in truth the most pa
cific of powers and desires nothing SO
much as TO live in amity with all the
world Its 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 re-
giOns. however attractive. That our
conduct toward Spain and her domin
ions has constituted no exception to
this national disposition is made mani
fest 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. it may be
safely said, under circumstances of
similar perplexity, would have mani
Tested the same restraint and the same
patient endurance IL may also be
said that this present attitude of the
United States toward Spain in cOnnec-
ton with Cuba viii unquestiOnably
evince no slight respect and regard for
Spain on the part of the American peO-
pie They in truth do not forget her
connection with the discovery of the
Western hemisphere. nor do they un-
Spanish people, nor fail to recognize
their splendid patriotism and their Chi
various devotion to the national honor
They view with wonder and admira-
ton 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 position of the gem of the An
titles may still hold its place in the
Spanish crown. and yet neither the
government nor the people of the Unit
ed States have shut their eyes to the
course of events in Cuba or have failed
TO realize the existence of conceded
grievances which have led to the
present revolt from the authority of
Spain: grievances recognized by the
Queen Regent and by the cortess voiced
by the most patriotic and enlightened
of Spanish statesmen without regard
TO party. demonstrated by reforms pro-
posed by the executive and approved
by the legislative branch Of the Span
ish government
AUTONOMY IS SUGGESTED.
Tt is in the assumed temper and dis
position 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 advan-
tage to Spain and with the achieve
nent of all the reasonable objects Of
the Instruction 1t would seem that
If Spain should offer to Cuba genuine
autonomy. a measure of home rule.
which. while preserving the sovereign
tv of Spain would satisfy all rational
requirements of her Spanish subjects.
there could be no just reason why the
modification Of the island should not be
effected on that basis such result
would appear to be in the true interest
of all concerned. Tt would at once
stop the conflict. which is now con
Stunning the resources of the island and
making il worthless for whichever par
tv may ultimately prevail Tt would
keep intact the possessions of Spain
without touching her honor which will
he consulted rather than impugned by
the adequate redress Of admitted griev-
ances. 1t would put the prosperity Of