The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-12-08
Tho Presidents Programme - Post
ponement and Escape.

Tho Presidents Programme - Post
ponement and Escape.
The last annual message which Mr.. CLEvE-
LAND will ever write as President adds little
to the public knowledge concerning any OF
the great questions that affect this country
in its exterior relations or its domestic
policy. The only political value OF the
document is in its incidental disclosures of
Mr.. CLEvELAND's frame of mind as indi-
eating his probable course during the brief
period of power remaining to him.
In this view. the message is very signif-
icant. For while one important subject
after another Is taken up and discussed
with a show Of candor and q directness Of
expression seldom found in Mr.. CLEvE-
LANDS official writings, the conclusion is in
every case the same: Postponement Of de-
cisive action until after the fourth OF next
March, which is postponemeut till the Greek
kalends. 30 far as the CLEVELAND Admin
istration is concerned.
This applies not only to the graver prob
lens of international interest, which events
beyond Mr.. ~CLEvELAND's power to control
have thrust upon his Administration, but
also 10 those which result directly from his
own sins Of omission or unfortunate initia-
tive. He unloads the whole pack upon the
future. It Il easy to understand the unusu-
ally frank tone of the message as soon as
you perceive that Mr.. CLEVELAND is merely
describing, with a secret sense Of freedom
from further personal responsibility, the
size and shape Of burdens which he proposes
to transfer forthwith to other shoulders.
First, he unloads Turkey and the mis-
siouaries. None Of our citizens there has
been killed or wounded, and Mr.. TERRELL
has left nothing undone to protect them.
Claims for the property destroyed at Har-
poot and Marash have not yet been adj
mitted by the Sultan's Government. but
nothing will be omitted to bring about
their direct settlement" Christendom Is
aghast at the continued Armenian
outrages, but interference on our
part would not only be resisted by
the Ottoman Government, but would be
regarded AZ an interruption OF their plans
by the great nations who assert their ex-
elusive right to intervene in their own
time and method" Things will turn out
all right somehow and sometime. although
probably not until after March a; for, as
Mr.. CLEVELAND impressively remarks, 1T
seems hardly possible that the earnest de
mand Of good people throughout the Chris
tian world for corrective treatment will re-
main unanswered"
Next, the imminent and supremacy im-
portant question of our duty and RESPONSE
bility to Cuba is disposed Of in the same
convenient manner. The Cuban chapter Is
ably written in a style differing %conspicu-
ously from that Of the opening and closing
paragraphs of the message. Its state
ments and suggestions hold the attention
closely until you come to the dishearten-
= lug conclusion. In we'll balanced periods
sympathy for the struggling patriots and
friendship and admiration for Spain are
equally dispensed. Spain has not made any
progress toward the pacifcation of the
island. On the other hand, the insurgents
"have not made good their title to be re-
garded as an independent State - indeed,
the Cuban Government sis confessedly, what
there is the best reason for suppos-
ing 1t always to have been in fact, a Gov
ernmen merely on paper" Meanwhile.
one of the most fertile and valuable cvun-
tries on the globe, in which we have enor-
nous pecuniary interests, beyond the senti-
mental and philanthropic considerations az
fectinR US, is going to utter ruin. Our duty
to do something is clearly recognized In the
message. Various plans for helping Cuba are
mentioned and discussed. The granting of
belligcrent rights is dismissed rs "untimely
and In practical operation p~erilous and in
furious to our own interests. it might be a
good plan to buy Cuba, but there Is no evil
dence of SPANS Willingness to sell. To in
tervene directly would involve a war with
. nation to which We owe 1.-THE discovery
of the Western Hemisphere" and in which
We recognize "a splendid patriotism and
. chivalrous devotion to the national
honor" The plan favored by the Ad-
ministration is one by which Spain should
accord genuine autonomy to Cuba a meas
ure OF home rule which. while preserving the
sovereignty of Spain. would satisfy all ra-
tional requirements Of her Spanish subjects"
the United States guaranteeing that the
arrangement should be carried out. We now
learn authoritatively that our State Depart
ment has actually proposed such a settle
ment. ut was intimated to the Government
OF Spain some months ago, that, IL a satistac-
tory Measure of home rule were endered to
the Cuba insurgents, and would be ac-
cepted by them upon a guaranty OF its exc
cution, the United States would endeavor to
hnd q way not Objectionable to Spain OF
furnishing such guaranty" We also learn
that mo definite response to this intima,
ton has yet been received from the Spanish
Government" There will DO " limit to our
patient waiting for Spain to end the contest :"
but. until we decide to do something pos
tive "we should continue in the line OF
conduct heretofore pursued, thus In all cir
cumStAnoeS exhibiting our obedience to the
requirements Of public law, and our regard
torths duty snjoined upon us by the posi-
toa wS9ooeupy in the family Of nations.