The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-12-19

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tect American citizens, TO claim damages for
injuries to persons and property, now esti-
mated at many millions OF dollars, and to ask
explanations and apologies for the acts OF
Spanish officials, whose zeal for the repression
OF rebellion sometimes blinds them to the i'm
munites belonging to the uno1endlng citizens
of u friendly power. 1t follows from the same
causes that the United States is compelled to
actively police q long line Of seacoaSt against
unlawful expeditions, the escape of which the
utmost vigilance will not always suftice to pre-
vent. These inevitable entanglementS of the
United States with the rebellion in Cuba, the
large American property interests affected,
ana considerations of philanthropy and hu-
mainly in general. have led to a vehement de-
mand in various quarters for some sort OF
positive Intervention On the partof the United
States.
1t was at first proposed that belligerent
rights should be accorded 10 the insurgentS-a
proposition no longer urged, because untinely
and impractical III operation ana clearly peril
GUS and injurious TO our OWE interests. 1t has
been and is now sometimes contenGed that the
independence OF the insurgents should be rec
ognized. But imperfect and restricted as the
Spanish government OF the island may be, no
other exists ~there-unless the will OF the mill
tary officer in temporary command Of a par
ticular district can be dignlfed as u species OF
government 1t Is now also suggested that the
United States should buy the island-a sug-
gestion possibly worthy Of consideration If
there were any evidence Of q desire or will
ingness on the part Of Spain to entertain such
a proposal 1t Is urged, finally, that all other
methods failing, the existing internecine strife
in Cuba should be terminated by our tnterven-
ton. even at the cost OF O war between the
United States and Spsin-s war which its ad-
yocateS confidently prophesy could be neither
large In Its proportions nor doubtful in its is
sue. The correctness Of this forecast need be
neither affirmed nor denied. The United
States has. nevertheless, q character TO main
tain as a nation. which plainly dictates that
right and not might should be the rule of its
conduct.
marion IN which npapn 10 n nA0aCSftv n iC in
truth the NEST pacific Of powers. and desires
nothing so much as to live III 3mity with all
the wopd. Its own ample and diversified do
mains satisfy all possible longinES for terri
tory, preclude all dreams of conquest, and pre-
vent any casting Of c%ovctous eye upon neigh
boring regions however attractive. That our
conduct towards Spain and her dOminionS has
constituted no exception 10 this national dis
position is made manifest by the course OF our
government, not only thus far during the pres
ent inSurrection, but during the ten years that
followed the rising at Yara in 1885.
No other great power, it may safely be said,
under circumstances Of similar perpfexity,
would have manifested the SAINT restraint and
the same patient endurance 1t may also be
sGid that this persistent attitude OF the United
States toward Spain IN connection with Cuba
Will unQuestionably evince no slight respect
and regard for Spain on the part of the Amer
lean people. They, in truth, do not forget her
connection with the discovery 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 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 an enormous debt accumulated. that
the costly possession OF the Gem OF the An
TILES may still hold It's place in the Spanish
crown. and yet neither the government northe
people OF the United 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 re-
volt from the authority OF Spain-grievanceS
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 b. 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 griev-
ances, fortified by indications OF influential
public opinion in Spain, that this government
has hoped to discover the most promising and
effective means i composing the present strife.
with honor and advantage to Spain, with the
achievement of all the reasonable objects OF
the insuTrection.
II would seem that IL Spain should offer to
Cuba genuine autonomy. a measure OF home
rule which, while preserving the sovereignty
OF Spain. would satisfy all rational require
ments Of her Spanish subjects, there should be
no Just reason why the pacihcation OF the is
land might not be effected on that basis. Slch
q result would appear 10 be in the interest OF
AL concerned. 1t would 1T once stop the con-
fict. which is now consuming the resources of
the island and making 1t WORTHLESS IS for which
ever party NAV ultimately prevail It
would keen intact the possessions Of
Sroin without touching her honor, which
viii be consulted rather than impugned by
the adequate redress Of admitted grievances
the fortunes Of its Inhabitants within their
own control without Severing rsIe natural ana
ancient ties which bind them to the mother
country, and would yet enable them 70 test
their capacity for se;s-government under the
most favorable conditions.
1t has been objected. on tho one side. that
Spain should not promise autonomy until her
insUTEeHt subjects lay down their arms. On
the othe: side. that promised autonomy. how
ever liberal, is insufficient. because without
assurance of The promise being fulfilled.
I5ut the reaSOnablsness of q requirement by
Spain OF unconditional surrender on the part
OF the iuSurFeat Cu5ans before their autonomy
is conceded is not altogether apparent
Il ignores inDortant features OF the situation
the stability two years duration has given
to the insu-reCticn: the fea 5ibility of its in
de0r'te proclamation in the nature OF things,
and imminent ruin of the island. unless the
present strife IS speedily composed; above 81,
the rank abuses which all parties in Spain. ali
ranches Of her government and all her lead
ing public men c0ncede to exist and profess a
desire to remove
Facing such circumstances, to withhold the
p-AfCr OF needed reforms until the parties
demanding them Pat themselves at mercy by
throwing down their arms, has the appearance
of regiectilg the Eravest Of pcrils and inyit-
ing suspicion as to the sincerity Of any pro-
1eSSeI willingness to grant reforms
The objection on behalf of the insurgents
that promised reforms can not De relied upon
must, OF course. be considered, though We
have no right TO assume, ana no reason for as
Stunning, that anything That Spain undertakes
10 do fer The relief Of Cuba will not be done &C.
cerding 10 both the spirit and the letter Of the
undertaking..
Nevertheless, realizing that suspicious and
precautions on the part OF the weaker of two
com5atantS are always natural and not aiwayG
unIustihaDie. ana being sincerely DESTROYS in
the interest OF both as well as on its own ac-
count that the Cuban problem SHOULD be solved
with the least possible delay, IL was intiunate6
by this government TO the government of
Spain some months ago that, if a satisfactory
measure OF home rule were rendered the Gu
ban insurgents ana would be accepted by
them upon a guaranty OF its execution, the
United states would endc3vor to lind a way
not Objectionable to spain OF furnishing such
guaranty.
While no definite response TO this intimation
erainent, it is believed to be not altogether
welcome, while, AZ 4 treaty is suggested, no
reason Is perceived why II should not be ap-
proved by tie Insurgents. Neither party can
fail TO see tie Importance of early action, and
both must realize that to rrolOng the present
state o. things for even = short period will add
enormously 10 the time and laICr and eEpenGi-
ture necessary to bring about the Industrial
recuperatloa OF the island. 1t is. there
fore, fervo1tly horct On ali grounds
that earnest Efforts for healing the
breach between Spain aud the insUrgent Gu |
bans, upon The lines above indicated, ma be
at once inaUgUrJtCd and pushed TO an imme-
diaic ana successful issue. The friendly Of
fees OF the GATED states, either in the man
ner above outlined. or in eay other way con-
slStclt WttG or constitution and laws, will al
ways he at the disposal OF either party.