The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1896-12-18

explanations ana apologies for the acts Of
Spanish oiiicials, whose zeal for the repression
OF rebellion sometimes blinds them 10 the I'M
munitics belonging 10 the unonending citizens
OF "a friendly power. 1t follows from the same
causes That the United states Is compelled TO
actiyeiy police long line OF seacoast against
unlawful expeditions, the escape OF which the
utmost GLANCE viii not always suffice to pre-
vent. These inevitable entanglements OF the
United states with the rebellion In Cuba, tho
large American property interests affected, !
ana considerations OF philanthropy and hn-
manity In general, have led To n vehement de-
mnnd In various quarters for some sort Of
positive Intervention on the parton the United
States.
IL was at first proposed that belligerent
rights should be accorded 10 the insurgents
proposition no longer urged. because untlMely !
ana Impractical In operation ana clearly peril |
Gus and injurious 10 our own interests. IL has
been and Il now sometimes commended that tho |
independence OF the insurgents should be rec |
ognzed. But imperfect and restricted as the
spanish government ~ the island may be. no
other exists there-unless the will OF the mill |
tary officer In temporary command OF par
ticular district can be dignited as species OF
government IL IL now also suggested that the !
United states should buy the island-a sug-
gcstiOn possibly worthy or consideration IL
there were any evidence OF q desire or will |
inpness on the part OF Spain TO entertain such
a proposal. II IL urged, finally, that all other
methods failing tho existing intornecine strife
ia Cuba should be terminated by our lnterven-
ton. even at the cost OF "A war between the
United States and Span-a war which It's adj
vocates confidently prophesy could be neither
large III It's proportions nor OOuUllul III Tvs -
sue The correctness OF this forecast need ne
neither anirmed nor denied. The United
States has nevertheless, character 70 main
tain rs a nation which plainly dictates that
right and not might should be the rule OF us
conduct
| Further though the United States is not a
nation TO which peace Is a necessity, II IS IN
truth the most paclnc. Of powers. and desires
nothing SO much as 10 1--we in amity with al
the world. Us own ample and diversified CO.
mains satisfy all possible longings for terri
I tory, preclude all dreams OF conquest, and pre-
veat any casting Of covetous eye upon neigh
boring regions however attractive. Ihat our
! conduct towards Spain and her dominions has
/ constituted no exception TO this national dis
position Is made manifest by the course OF our
] government. not only thus far during the pres
| ent insurrecton. but during the ten years that
followed the rising at Yara in 1865.
No other great power, it may safely be said,
! under circumstances Of similar perplexity,
| would have manifested the same restraint ana
| the same patient endurance. IL may also DE
| said that this persistent attitude OF the United
states toward spain IN connection Win CUBA
| Will unqucstionably cvince no slight respect
| and regard for spain on the part OF the Amer
lean people. They. In truth, do not forget her
connection with the discovery OF the western
homls sphere. nor DO they undercsi innate the
great qualities OF the spanish people. nor fail
To fuliy recognize their splendid patriotism ana
their chlYalrous devotion 10 the nat ionGl honor.
They view with wonder ana admiration inc
cheerful resolution with which vast bodles 81
|, men are sent across thousands OF miles OF
ocean and an enormous debt accumulated, tAht
the costly possession Of The Gem 81 the An
| titles may StiIlOlt us place IN the 5iaIl>n
crown. and yet neither the government nor me
people OF the United States have shut thtlr
ewes 10 the course Of events In Cuba or nave
failed to realize the existence or conceded
rrieynnces. which have led TO the present re-
volt from the au thority OF spain grievances
recognized by the queen regent ana 10y
tho cortes. voiced by the most patriotic and
! enlightened IL spanish statesmen without
: regard TO party. and demonstrated by reforms
proposed by the executive and approved pS the
, iegis lative branch Of the spanish government
II Is ia the assumed temper aud disposition q
the spanish government 10 remedy these grew
9 anccs. fortified by indications or Influential
9 public opinion in Spain. that this government
has hoped 10 discover the most promising ans
4 effective means Of composing the present STRIFE
n with honor and advantage To spain. WIN Tn
= achievement OF ali the reasonable objects o
: il would seem that II Spain should offer l.
: Cuba genuine autonomy. measure OF nom
a rule which while preserving the sovereignt
: OF Spain. would satisfy all rational require
: ments Of her spanish subjects there should b
. no Just reason why the nacincation OF me y
: land might not be effected on that basis. Sue
4 n result would appear TO be In the interest {
:. all concerned. II would at once stop the con
= fiict which IL now consuming the resources 9
Q the island and making IL worthless for which
y ever party ma, ultimately prevail
c would keep intact the possessions {
spain without touching her honor. whic
7, will be consulted rather than impugned b
J. the adequate redress ~ admitted grievances
Q IN would put the prosperity OF the island an
: the fortunes OF its inhabitants within thei
t own control without seyerlng the natural an
|
n country. and would yet enable them TO ties
their capacity for sel-government under tn
& most favorable conditions.
Dt Ii has been objected, on the one side, tina
III Spain should not promise autonomy until lac
- insurgent subjects lay down their arms. %
ID the other siae that promised su,onomyi lev
at assurance Of the promise being fulnilet
e. But the reescnabieness of requirement b
le Spain OF Unconditional surrender on the par
AZ III tho insurgent Cubans before their autOnom
Q, il conceded is not altogether apparent
I'd II ignores important features OF the situatio
re the stability two years duration has give
OF to the instruction: the feasibility Of rs II
n definite prolongation In the nature OF thing
be and MS shown BY past experience; ne utt !,
'rt present strife is speedily composed. above oil
es the rank abuses hich all parties In spain.
ne branches OF her government anu an ne. iea
nd Ing public men concede to exist and profess
mt desire TO remove. .
Facing such circumstances. to withhold u
OF prefer or needed reforms until the partl'
ty demanding them put themselves at mercy
50 throwing down their arms. has the appearan
nd OF neglccting the gravest OF pcrils and invi
WI ing suspicion 70 the sincerity OF any pr
i'd fcssed willingness to grant reforms
,p- The objection on behalf OF the insurgen
les that promised reforms can not be relied y p
lie must OF course. be considered, though '
he have no right to assume. and no reason TOT q
tly Stunning. that anything that spain undertak
me TO do for the relief OF Cuba will not be done
he cording to both the spirit and the letter OF !
not Nevertheless. realizing that suspicious a
|
OF combatants are always natural and not alwa
be- uniustiuablc and being sincerely DESTROYS
raj the interest OF both as well as on us own Y
the count that the Cuban problem should be SOW
hat with the least possible delay, II was intiua
d. by thi, government TO the government
sdy Spain some months ago that, II satistScto
IL measure OF home rule we're rendered the
lue han Insurgents and would be accepted
lily them upon guaranty OF It's execution,
re- United states would endcayor TO ind
has not Objectionable To Spain OF furnishing So
guaranty.
in While no definite response to this intimate
sar has vet been received from the Spanish =.
led ernment IL is believed TO be not altogetl
OF welcome while, as treaty is suggested,
ney reason Is perceived why IT should not be
its proved by the insurgents Neither party {
lely IAN to see the i'm pogtance OF early action.
ven both must realize that to prolcng the pres
tier state OF things for even short period VIII
g OF enormously TO the time and labor and expen
Dbe, ture necessary To bring about the indust'
row. | RECOMMENDATION OF the island. II Is. the
un- fore. fervently hoped on all grou
hey that earnest Efforts Tor healing
IS OF breach between Spain aud the insurgent
rae hans upon the lines above indicated, may
sep at once inuuguratcd and pushed 70 an Inn
diatr and successful issue The friendly
ond uces OF the United states, either IN the IN
/ OF nor above outlined. or in any other way g
at s,stent with our constitution and laws, VIII
lean ways be at the disposal OF cilhef pnrty