The Red Cloud chief., 1896-12-11

'N' 49, w 1871 . - - ~
the most pacific OF powers and desires
SO much AZ to live at amtty with all
the world. Its own ample and diversified
domains satisfy all possible longings for ter
ritory. preclude all dreams of conques and
prevent the casting of any covetouS eyes
upon neighboring regions, however attract
i've. That our conduct towards Spain and
her dominionS has constituted no exception
10 this national disposition ~ made manifest
by the course of our government. not only
thus far during the present insurrcction, but
the ten years that followed the rising
at Yara In 1868. No other great power. i:
may safely be said, under circumstances OF
similar perplcXity, would have manifested
the same restraint and the same patient en-
duranCc
It may also he said that this persistent at
titude of the United states towards spain in
connection with cuba will unquestionably
evincc no slight respect and regard for
Spain on the part of the American people.
ThCy in truth do not forget her connection
with the discovery of the Western hemis-
phcrc, nor do they underestimate the great
qualities of the Spanish people, nor fail to
fully recognize their splendid patriotism
ana their ChiyalrOus devotion tothe national
honor They view with Wonder aud dmird-
tiOn the cheerful resolution with which vast
bodies of men are sent across thousands of
miles of ocean u an enormous debt aCCum-
ulatcd, that the costly position of the gem of
the Antilles may still hold its place in the
Spanish Crown. And vet the the govern
ment nor the people of the United States
have shut their eyes to the course of events
in cuba or have failed to realize the exist
cnCe of conceded grievances which nave led
to the present revolt from the authority of
Spain, grievances recognized by the queen
Regent and by the Curtcs, voiced by the
most patriotic and enlightened OF Spanish
statesmen, without regard to party, rcmon-
stratcd by reforms proposed by the eXcCu-
tive and approved by the legislative branch
Of the Spanish government
II IL in the assumed temper and DISPOSE
tiun of the Spanish government to- remedy
these grievances, fortified bv indications of
influential public opinion In Spain. that this
government has hoped to discover the most
promising and effective mean of composing
the present strife. with honor and advan-
tagc to Spain and with the achievement of
all the reasonable objects of the insurrcc-
tion.
1t would seem that If Spain would offer TO
Cuba genuine autonomy, "A measure of home
rule which. while preserving the SovCr-
cirnity of Spain, would satisfy all rational
require ments of her Spanish subjects, there
should he no Just reason why the pdCiiCa-
ton of the island might not be effected on
thai basis. Such "A result would appear TO
he In the true interest OF all concerned. 1t
would AT once stop the conflict, which Is now
consuming the resources of the island and
making IL worthless for whichever party
may ultimately prevail. 1t would keep in
tact the possessions of Spain without touch
ing her honor, which will be consulted
rather than inpurncd by the adequate re-
dress of admitted grievances. IL would put
the prosperity of the island and the fortunes
OF its inhabitants within their own control,
without SevcrinR the natural and anCicu
ties which bind them to the mother country.
and would yet enable them to test their ca
pacity for self government under the most
favorable conditions
II has been objected on the one side that
Spain should not promise autonomy until
her inSurgcnt subjects lay down their arms.
on the other side, that promised autonomy.
however liberal, is insufficient, bcs du>c
without assurance of the promise being full
filled.
But tho rcaSonablcncsS of a requirement
by Spain, of unconditional surrender on the
part of the Insurgcnt cubanS before their
autonomy Is conceded is not altogether APP
parent. 1t ignores important features of
the situation the stability two years dura-
ton has given to the iHSurrcCtion; the teaS-
ibility OF its prolungatiuu In the nature Of
things, and as shown by past experience the
utter and imminent ruin of the island, unless
the present strife is speedily composed;
above all, the rank abuses which all parties
In Spain, all branches 81 her government
and all her leading public men Couccdc to
exist and profess 4 desire To remove Facing
SUCH circumstances, to Withhold the prohor
of needed reforms Until the parties dcmdnd-
ing them put Themselves At mercy by throw
ing down their arms. has the appearance of
neglCCting the gravcst of prrils and inviting
suspicion as to the sincerity of any pro-
icsScd Willingness To grant reforms. The
objection on behalf of the insurgents that
promised reform Canot be relied upO mast
of course be considered, though we have no
right to assume, and no reason tor asSum-
ing, that anything Spain undertakes to do
for the relief OF cuba will not lie done ac-
cording to both the spirit and the letter of
the undertaking..
Nevertheless, realizing that suspicious
and precautions on the part of the weaker
of two CombItantS are always natural and
not always unjustiiiablc, being sincerely de-
sirous in the interest of both as well as on
its own account, that the Cuban problem
should be solved with the least possible de-
lay. it was intimatcd by this government to
the government % spain some months ago
that If a satisfactory measure of home rule
were rendered the Cuban insurgents, and
would be accepted by them upon "A guaranty
OF its execution, the United States would en-
dcavor to lind i way not Objectionable 10
Spain OF furnishing such guaranty. While
no definite rcSpor, e to this intimation has
yet been received from the Spanish govern
mcnt. it il believed 10 he not altogether un.
welcome, while, A. already suggested, nc
1tdNbn u lltlAtlNfh WHY II Nllilli ~ W up
proved by the insurgents, neither party ear
fail 10 see the Importance Of carly action
and both must realize that to prolong the
present state of things tor even a short
period will add enormously To the time and
labor and expenditure necessary To brlnl
about the industrial rcCupcration of the
Island. II is, therefore, tcrventlv hoped
on all grounds that earnest efforts for head
ing the breach between spain and the in
surgent Cubans, upon the lines above indi'
Gated, may be At once inauCuratcd anC
pushed to an immediate successful issue
The friendly OriCcs of the United states
either in the manner above outlined or IN
any other way consistent with our conStitu
ton and laws will always be at the disposa
of either party,
Whatever circumstance may arise, on
policy and our interests would ConStrdin u
To object 10 the acquisition Of the island o.
an interference with It's control by any other
1t should be added that il cannot be reason
ably aSSumed that the hitherto eNpcctan
attitude OF the United states viii be indea
nitcly maintained.
While we are anxious 10 accord all due re
spcCt TO the sovereignty of Spain, we canno
view the pending conflict in all its feature
ana properly apprChend our inevitable rcla
tions 10 1t auG It's possible results withou
4 49,.