Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-08

cauDC' that tho United states is compelled
10 actively police a long line OF sea colst
against unlawful expeditions the escape Of
which the utmost vigilance viii not always
suffice to prevent. These inevitable entlngle-
monts of the United states witl the rebeliiCn
In Cuba. the large American property in
tcrCstp affected, and considerations Of phian-
thropy and humanity In general have led
to vehement demand IN various quarters
for some sort Of positive Intervention on the
part Of the United S.ltes. II was at fret pre-
posed that bclligcrent rights should be ac-
corded to the lnsurgcnt9-a proposition no
longer wcig ed. because uutImely, and In
practical operation, clearly periloug, and In
jurl3u9 20 our own Interests. II has since
be2n, ana IS now, some ines CcntcnlCd that
the Independence Of the Insurgents should
be recognized. But imperfect ard restricted
rs the Spanish government of the Island may
be, no other eX!Htn thcrc-ualess the will
Of tho military officer In temporary command
OF a particular district IN be dignilcd as
a species Of government. II IS now also sug-
gostod that the United states should buy the
isand-a suggestion possibly worthy Of con-
sdcratiun, II there were any evidence Of a
desire or willingneao on the part Of Spain
to entertain such a proposal. 1t is urged
lirally. that all other methods falling, the
existing internecine strife in Cuba should
be terminated by our Intervention, even at
the cost Of a war between the United States
and Spain--a war which it's advocates con-
ndontly prophesy, could be neither large in
it's proportions nor doubtful in its issue. The
correctness Of this forecast need be neither
affirmed nor denied. The United States has
nevertheless a character to maintain as
nation, which plainly dictates that right and
not might should be the rule Of its conduct.
Peace is Only Preferable.
Further. though the United States is not
nation to which peace is necessity, II
is in truth the most pacific of powers and
desires nothing so much as to live in amty
uyit all bn IfG
diversified domains satisfy all possible long
ings for territory, preclude all dreams OF
conquest and prevent any casting o;
coyetous eyes upon neighboring regions,
however attractive. That our conduct to-
ward Spain and her dominions has constl-
tuted no exception to this national dispos-
tion, is made manifest 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 safely
be said under circumstances of similar
perplcxity would have manifested the same
restraint and the same patient endurance.
1t may also be said that this persistent att-
tude of the United States toward Spain in
connection with Cuba, unquestiOnably
evinces no slight respect and regard for
Spain on the part of the American people.
They, in truth, do not forget her connec-
tiOn 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 pa
triotism and their chivalrous devotion to
the national honor. Thew view with won
der 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 Antilles may
still hold its place in the Spanish crown.
And yet neither the government nor the
people in the United States have shut their
eyes to the course of events in Cuba OF
have failed to realize the existence of con
ceded grievances which have led to the
present revolt from the authority of Spain
grievances recognized by the queen-re-
gent and by the Cortes voiced
by the most patriotic and en-
lightened OF Spanish statesmen. without
regard to party and demonstrated by re-
forms proposed by the executive and ap-
proved by tae legislative branch of the Span
ish government 1t is in the assumed tenn
per and disposition of the Spanish govern
ment 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
achievement of all the reasonable objects
of the insurrection. 1t would seem that II
Spain should offer to Cuba genuine autonomy
"a measure OF home rule which, while pre-
serving the sovereignty of Spain, would sat
isfy all rational requirement of her Spanish
subjects-there should be no just reason why
the pacihcation of the island might not be
effected on that basis Such result would
appear TO be In the true interest of all con-
cerned. 1t would at once stop the conflict
which is now consuming the resources of the
island, and making 1t worthless for which |
ever party may ultimately prevail. 1t would |
keep intact the possessions of Spain. without |
touching her honor, which will be consulted |
rather than impugned by the adequate re- |
- .l,,,stN tN,.l tuln,
the prosperity of the island and the fortunes |
of its inhabitants within their own control, |
without severing the natural and ancient ties |
which bind them to the mother country, and |
would yet enable them to test their capacity !
for elf-government under the most favorable |
conditions.
Objections Suggested.
II has been objected on the one side that |
Spain should promise autonomy until her |
insurgent subjects lay down their arms; on
the other side, that promised autonomy,
however liberal. is insufficient, because with
out assurance of the promise being fulfilled.
But the reasonableness of a requirement by
Spain of unconditional surrender on the
part of the insurgent Cubans before their
is conceded is not altogether ap-
parent. 1t ignores important features of the
,iIuation-the stability two years duration
las given to the insurrection; the feasibility
If its indefinite prClongation, in the nature
II things and as shown by past experience |
he utter and imminent ruin of the island, !
lness the present strife Is speedily com
,Csed. above all the rank abuses which all
PARTIES in Spain, all branches OF her gov
,rnment and all her leading public men
,oncede to exist and profess a desire TO re-
move Facing such circumstances to with
lold the prolfer of needed reforms until the
PARTIES demanding them put themselves at
mercy by throwing down their arms, has
he appearance of neglecting the gravest Of
,erls and inviting suspicion as to the sin
,erity of any professed Willingness to grant
eforms The objection on behalf Of the
promised reforms cannot
,e relied upon-must OF course be consid-
red though we have no right to assume
md no reason for assuming that anything
main undertakes to do for the relief Of
'uba will not be done according to both the
prit and the letter of the undertaking.
realizing that suspicious and
rooautions on the part of the weaker Of the
wO cOmbatants are always natural, and not
lways notwithstanding sincerely de
irous In the interest of both, as well, as on
Is own account that the Cuban problem
hould be solved with the least possible de-
ly-it was intimsted by this government to
he government OF Spain some months ago, |
hat, II a satisfactory measure of home rule {
iere rendered the Cuban insurgents, and
iould be accepted by them upon a guaran | ,
ee OF its execution. the United States would
ndeavor to find way not Objectionable 10
pain of furnishing such guaranty. While ,
o definite response to this intimation has | y
ct been received from thc Spanish govern |