Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-08

delay. il was intjmated by this government
10 the government of Spain some months
ago that if a satisfactory measure of
home T1Iie were rendered the Cuban insur-
gents, and would be accepted by them upon
a guaranty of its execution. the United
States would enieavor to find a way not
Objectionable TO Spain of furnishing such
guaranty. While no definite response to
this iEtin.atiOE has yet been received from
tn Spanish government, II is believed TO be
not altogether unwelcome, while, as all
ready suggested, no reason is perceived
why it should not be approved by the in
surgents.
Neither party can fail to see the i'm
pJrtaEce Of early action, and both must
realize that to prolOng the present state
Of things for even a short period Will add
enormously to the time and labor and eN-
Penditure necessary to bring about the in
Custrlal reCuperetion of the island. 1t Is
therefore fervently hoped on all grounds
that earnest efforts for healing the breach
between Spain and the insursent Cubans
upon the lines above indicated may be
At once inaugurated and pushed to an i'm
mediate successful issue. The friendly Of
fees Of the United States, either in the
manner above outlined or in any oth@r
way consistent with our constitution and
laws, will always be at the disposal OF
either party.
Whatever circumstances may arise, our
policy and our interests would Constrain us
TO object TO the acquisition Of the island
or an interference with its control by any
other power.
United States May Intervene.
It should be added that it cannot be rea-
sonably assumed that the hitherto expect
ant attitude Of the United States Will be
indefinitely maintained. While We are anX-
iOus to accord all due respect TO the SOW
rRir IF in u-Ea
pending conflict in all its features and
properly apprehend our inevitable relations
10 il and its possible results without con-
sidering that by the course of events we
may be drawn into such an unusual and
unprecedented condition as will fix a limit
10 our patient waiting for Spain to end the
contest. either alone and in her own way,
or with our friendly cooperation. When
the inability of Spain TO deal successfully
with the insurrection has become mani
fest, and it is demonstrated that her SOW
ereignty is extinct in Cuba for all purposes
of Its rightfui existence, and when hope
less struggle for its establishment has
degenerafed into a strife which means
nothing more than the useless sacrifice OF
human life and the utter destruction of
the very subject matter of the conflict, Il
situation will be presented in which or
obligations TO the sovereignty of Spain will
be superseded by higher obligations, which
We can hardly hesitate to recognize and
discharge.
Deferring the choice of ways and meth
ods until the time for action arrives, we
should make them depend upon the pre-
else conditions then existing; and they
should not be determined upon without
giving careful heed to every consideration
involving our honor and interest, or the
International duty We owe to Spain. Until
We face the contingencies suggested or the
situation IS by other incidents Imperative
" changed we should continue in the line
OF conduct heretofore pursued, thus in all
circumstances exhibiting our obedience to
the requirements of public law and our re-
gard for the duty enjoined upon us by the
position We occupy in the family of ma
tions. A contemplation of emergencies
that may arise should plainly lead us to
avoid their creation, either through care
less disregard of present duty or even an
undue stimulation and ill-timed expression
of feeling. But / have deemed 1t not amiss
to remind the congress that time may
arrive when a correct policy and care for
our interests, as well as regard for the
interests of other nations and their citi-
Zens, Joined by considerations of humanity
and a desire to see a rich and fertile coun-
try, intimately related to us, spared from
complete devastation, will constrain our
government TO such action as will sub
serve the interests thus involved and at
the same time promise to Cuba and its
inhabitants an opportunity to enjoy the
blessings OF peace.