Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-24

with That Poiicy-Change In the Old
Treaty Observation-Disclosures Treaty with
England Satisfactorily Completed-Cen-
trail American Union Recognised.
Washington. Dec. "a. - whateve.
course congress may finally take with
respect to the Cameron resolution the
tnsistent efforts of the present admin
istration. at least, will continue to be
exerted in behalf of an autonomous
government for the Cubans. During
the correspondence between this gov
ernment and Spain the Canadian sys-
tenn mas repeatedly been referred to
as model which Spain might do well
10 follow in granting home rule to her
Cuban coionists. The objection. how
reason. it is admitted, that a system
which would work admirably with her
majesty's subjects in Canada might ut
terly fall if applied to the Cubans. That
Spain has intimated that under certain
conditions she would not be aver5e to
granting a reasonable measure of home
rule to the Cubans is beyond question.
Ehe, however, insisted that nothing less
than a disastrous defeat in battle will
cause the insurgents to consider such
propositions and it is regarded in Mad
rid as useless to attempt any of the re-
forms suggested until Weyler strikes i
decisive blow.
Uncle sam Not Agreed on This.
This government. however. does not
fully agree with that view of the case.
and undoubtedly it is making some
progress in its contention for peace on
a basis alike reasonable and honorable
to the Cubans as well as to Spain. One
of the principal motives which has act
uated this government in the course
1t has taken in this matter is the pro-
lection of the persons and property OF
citizens of the United States now en-
gagged as tobacco and sugar planters
in Cuba. Although the planters gen.
orally are said to sympathiZe with the
Cuban cause, information has reached
this government that as a rule they
entertain serious doubts of the ability
of the native Cubans. if wholly success
full. to maintain a stable and satis-
factory government.
What the Planters Would Prefer.
What the planters most desire is an
neXation to the United States. hut as
the administration, as plainly made ev-
ident, regards this as out of the ques-
ton. the planters next favor an autono-
nous government under the executive
supervision of Spain. Should SpaiT:
consent to allow Cuba 10 lePislate as &c
her own internal affairs the United
States, as stated by Olrey in his report
to congress, would consent to become
responsible to Spain Off the faithful
observance of the conditions of the
treaty between the two countries The
idea of this government is that this
agreement could be made a part of a
new treaty between the United States
and Spain, the necessity for which is
admitted by both governments.
Changes in a Treaty Wanted.
The Spanish authorities. il can lie
stated, share the feeling strongly enter
tained by the United States that the
present treaty has long outlived its
usefulness. 1t was proclaimed in 1795
and has been added to from time to
time: and is differently construed in
Spanish at Madrid, and, English
at Washington. The change wanted
principally by Spain is in the naturali-
cation clause. The change as to natur-
/ alization is regarded as of chief impor-
| tarce by Spain, which asserts that the
protection of American citizenship is
| infrequentiy invoked by genuine Amerf-
| can citizens, but is used very frequent
| ly by persons who become nominal
American citizens for the sake of the
protection it affords and then return tc
Cuba where they henceforth continue
F! to reside. 1t may be added that this
| same practice has given the United
| States trouble with other countries.
Hale on the Cameron Resolutions.
With reference to the Cameron reso.
lutions Hoar has written Hale, who
| will lead the opposition in the senate
| to pair him in any way that will bring
| confusion on the attempt to pass them
| Hale says he will not fiilbuster; that ht
| could not succeed in defeating then
| now on a vote, but that the lawyers IL
| the senate will. now that the Olney is
| sue is UP, talk the resolutions to death