Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-12-11

| nation. which plainly dictates that right ant
might should be the rule of its conduct
Further, though the United States is not
nation to which peace is a necessity, 1t is II
| truth. the most pacific of powers and desires
| nothing so much as to live at amity with al
the world. Its own ample and diversified
domains satisfy all possible longings for ter.
| ritory, preclude all dreams of conques ant
prevent the casting of any covetous eyes
| upon neighboring regions. however attract.
| i've. That our conduct towards Spain and
her domnions has constituted no exception
to this national disposition is made manifest
| by the course of our government, not only
| thus far during the present instruction, but
| during the ten years that followed the rising
| at Yara in 1868. No other great power. II
| may safely be said, under circumstances OF
| similar perplcxity. would have manifested
the same restraint and the same patient en-
| durancc.
| 1t may also be said that this persistent at
| titude of the United States towards Spain in
| connection with Cuba will unqucstionably
| evilce no slight respect and regard for
| Spain on the part of the American people.
They in truth do not forget her connection
| with the discovery of the Western hemis-
phere. nor do they underestimate the great
qualities of the Spanish people, nor fail to
| fully recognize their splendid patriotism
ana their chivalrouS devotion to the national
honor They view with wonder and admira-
ton the cheerful resolution with which vast
bodies of men are sent across thousands of
miles of ocean and an enormous debt accum-
ulated that the costly position of the gem of
the Antilles may still hold It's place in the
Spanish crown. And yet neither 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
ence of conceded grievances which have led
to the present revolt from the authority of
Regent and by the Cortes. voiced by the
most patriotic and enlightened of Spanish
statesmen. without regard to party remon-
stratcd by reforms proposed by the execu-
tive and approved by the Legislative branch
of the Spanish government
1t is In the assumed temper and DISPOSE
ton of the Spanish government 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 advan-
tage to Spain and with the achievement of
all the reasonable objects of the insurrec-
ton.
1t would seem that if Spain would offer to
Cuba genuine autonomy, measure of home
rule which, while preserving the sover-
eirnity of Spain. would satisfy all rational
require ments of her Spanish subjects there
should be no just reason why the pacitica-
ton of the island might not be effected on
that basis. Such result would appear to
be 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 it 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 impugned by the adequate re-
dress of admitted grievances. 1t would put
toll for
of its inhabitants within their own control,
without severing the natural and ancien
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
1t has been objected on the one side that
Spain should not promise autonomy until
her insurgent subjects lay down their arms.
On the other side. that promised autonomy.
however liberal, is insufficient, because
without assurance of the promise being full
filed.
But the reasonableness of a requirement
by Spain. of unconditional surrender on the
part of the InSurgent 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 insurrection; the feas-
Utility of its prolongation in the nature of
things, and as shown by past experience the
utter ana imminent Tulll Ol the
the present strife is speedily composed;
above ALL the rank abuses which all parties
in Spain, all branches of her government
and all her leading public men conccde to
exist and profess desire to remove. Facing
such circumstances, to Withhold the proffer
of needed reforms until the parties demand |
ing them put themselves at mercy by throw
ing down their arms, has the appearance of
neglecting the gravest of perils and inviting
suspicion as to the sincerity of any pro-
fessed willingness to grant reforms The
objection on behalf of the insurgents-that
promised reform canot be relied upon-must
of course be considered. though we have no
right to assume. and no reason for assum- |
ing, that anything Spain undertakes to do
for the relief OF Cuba will not be 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 combatants are always natural and
not always unjustifablc, 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 intimated by this government to
the government of Spain some months ago |
that if a satisfactory measure of home rule |
were rendered the Cuban insurgents, and
would be accepted by them upon guaranty |
of its execution, the United States would en- |
Il
Spain of furnishing such guaranty. While |
no definite response to this intimation has |
yet been received from the Spanish govern |
ment it is believed to be not altogether I'M |
welcome, while, as already suggested, no
reason is perceived why it should not be ap- |
proved by the insurgents, neither party can |
fail to see the Importance of early action |
and both must realize that to proong the |
present state of things for even short |
period will add enormously to the time and |
labor and expenditure necessary to bring |
about the industrial recuperation of the |
island. 1t is, therefore, fervently 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 inaugurated and
pushed to an immediate successful issue. |
The friendly Offices 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 disposal |
of either party.
Whatever circumstances may arise, our |
policy and our interests would constrain us |
to object to the acquisition of the island or
an interference with its control by any other |
1t should be added that it cannot be reason |
ably assumed that the hitherto expectant
attitude of the United States will be indeh- |
nitely maintained.