Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-10
Mr.. Clpycluud's Message.


the Presidents message was at once
presented and read in both houses
Mr.. Cleveland devOtes much time to
IA consideration of the work of the
various departments and reviews at
length our relations with foreign
powers. Interest conferred chiefly
in that part Of the message dealing
with our relations with Spain par
ticularly with reference TO affairs on
the island Of Cuba. The Richmond
Dispatch thus summarizes what the
President had to say on this inter
esting subject:
1.-THE message that President
Cleveland sent to Congress yester-
day is long, but interesting. We
find in it few Of those lofty and
elaborate phrases with which he
studded his earlier messages. For
the most part the message is con-
fined to review of the operations
of the several departments of the
Government and recommendation
thereupon that he makes for Con-
gressional action. Foremost in inn
portance is what the President saws
about Cuba, His position is con-
servative one, and we suspect that it
will meet with general approval,
more especially as it is based, sup
possibly, upon the observations in
Cuba of Consul General Fitzhugh
Lee.
The President urges for the pres
ent policy of non.interference to-
wards Cuba. He cannot perceive
that any progress has been made to-
ward the pacification of the island.
Spain still holds the seaports and the
considerable towns, and the insur.
gents still roam over two-thirds Of
the inland country. Both sides
seem AS determined as ever. He
learns that "the putative Cuban
Government" has now given up all
attempt to exercise its functions,
leaving that Government confess
eddy (what there is the best reason
for surprising it always to have hcen
In fact government merely on pa
per.
He believes that the Spaniards are
Now acting upon the same theory as
the insurgents namely, that the
eXigencies Of the contest require the
wholesale humiliation of property
that it may not prove of use and adj
vantage to the enemy. Thus the
industrial value of the island "is
fast disappearing, and unless there is
Il speedy and radical change in ex-
listing conditions it will soon disap-
pear altogether" The President
says our people cannot view this
spectacle with unconcern, especially
as from $50, 200, 900 to $50, 900, 900 of
American capital is invested upon
the island, while the volume of trade
between the two countries i'm 1898
was SOB, 600, 900.
In short, upon a careful review of
the situation, ii seems to President
Cleveland thar, eff Spain should Of
fer 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
pacification of the island might not
be effected on that basis"
Mr.. Cleveland states that this gov
ernment some months ago made a
suggestion To Spain, that ii would CO.
operate with Spain to facilitate a set
Element On this line; but no definite
response has been received from the
Spanish Government. Yet he be-
lieves this suggestion is not alto
gether unwelcome.
IT is, therefore, hoped on all
grounds that earnest efforts for heal
ing the breach between Spain and
the insurgent Cubans upon the lines
indicated may be at once inaugurated
and pushed to an immediate and sue
ceSsful issue"
The President gives notice that the
United States would object to the ac-
QUESTION of CUBA by any other
Power. Nor, says he, will this cOun-
try be content to wait an indefinite
time for the pacitication Of the island.
The time may come when "a situa.
ton will he presented in which our
obligations Ia the sovereignty of
Spain will be superseded by higher
obligations, which we can hardly
hesitate to recognize and discharge"
But, until we face the contingency
suggested, the President urges that
we should continue in the line of
conduct heretofore pursued.
The language of the President is
carefully guarded, so as to give no
offence to Spain. He wishes this
country to act the part of pacifica.
tor 4; but he is decided in his opinion
that we should not he content to wait
indefinitely for the attainment of
this result.
Reading between the lines, we see
or think we see-that il is the
view that If Spain will
not grant home rule to Cuba, and can
not suppress the InsurrectioD within
a reasonable time, the United States
will then feel called upon to act, 80
that our disorderly neighbor shall be
compelled to keep the peace.