The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-12-12

lultTtSlS. II mas since DcCn ana Is
now sometimes commended that the indie
pendence of the insurgents should be
recognized, but imperfect and restricted
as the Spanish government of the island
may be, no other exists there unless the
Will of the military officer in temporary
command of the insurgents can be dig
nified as n species or government. 1t is
new also suggested that the United States
should buy the island a suggestion pos
sihly worthy of consideration If there were
any evidences of a desire or willingness
on the part of Spain to entertain such a
proposal 1t is urged. finally. that all
other methods falling the existing inter-
neclne strife in Cuba should be terminal
ed by our Intervention. even at the cost
or war between the United States and
Spain-a war which its advocates conf
IDENTIFY prophesy could neither be large in
It's proportions nor doubtful in it's issue.
The correctness of this forecast need be
neither affirmed nor denied. The United
States has, nevertheless, a character to
maintain as a nation, which plainly die
tates that right, and not might. should be
the rule of its conduct
Have Territory Enough.
Further, though the United States is
not nation to which peace is neces-
sity, 1t is in truth the most pacific OF
powers, and desires nothing so much as
to live in amity with all the world. Its
OVID ample and diversified domains. salts
flying all possible longings for territory.
precludes all claims of conquest and pre-
vents any casting of covetous eyes upon
neighboring regions, however attractive.
That our conduct toward Spain and her
dominions has constituted no exception
to this national disposition is made man.
ifest by the course of our government,
not only thus far during the present
insurrection, but during the 10 years that
followed the rising at Yara in 1868. No
mo
under circumstances of similar perplex-
ity, would have manifested the same re-
straint and the same patient endurance
1t may also be said that this persistent
attitude of the United States towards
Spain in connection with Cuba unques-
tionably evinces no slight respect and re-
gard for Spain on the part of the Ameri-
can people. They, in truth, do not for
gee her connection with the discovery OF
the western hemisphere, nor do they I'M
der-estimate the great qualities of the
Spanish people, nor fail to fully recognize
their splendid patriotism and their Chi
Various devotion to the national honor.
They view with wonder and admiration
the cheerful resolution with which large
bodies of men are sent across thousands
of miles of ocean and an enormous debt
accumulated by the country in possess
sion of the gem of the Antilles. Cuba
may still hold it's place in the Spanish
crown, and yet neither the government
nor the people in the United States have
shut their eyes to the course of Spain IN
Cuba, or have failed to realize the eX-
pense. The conceded grievances which
have led to the present revolt from the
authority of Spain, grievances admitted
by the queen regent and by the cortes
voiced by the most patriotic and enlight-
ered of Spanish statesmen without re-
gard to party, are demonstrated by re-
! forms proposed by the executive and Up
proved by the legislative branch of the
! Spanish government. 1t is in the assumed
temper and disposition of the Spanish gov
eminent to remedy these grievances, for
| titled by indications of influential public
opinion in Spain, that this government
has hoped to discover the most promising
and effective means of composing rhe
| present strife with honor and advant-
age to Spain, and with the achievement
of all the responsible objects of the IN
surrection.
Ssome xru=e suggested.
1t would seem that If Spain should Of
fer to Cuba genuine autonomy-a meas
ure of home rule, which, while preserving
the sovereignty of Spain, would satisfy
| ali rational requirements of her Spanish
sUbjects-there should be no just reason
why the pamncation of the island might
not be effected on that basis. Such q
| result woulI appear to be in the true
! interest of all concerned. 1t would stoI
| at once ln= GOnIllcL WnlCn IS now COIL
| Stunning the resources of the island, anC
making - worthless for whichever party
may ultimately prevail. 1t would keel
intact the possessions of Spain withoI
| touching her honor, which will be up
| held. rather than impugned, by the ade
qudte redress of admitted grievances. Il
would put the prosperity of the island anC
the fortunes of it's inhabitants within
the crown control without severing IN,
natural and ancient ties which bind then
to the mother country, and would ye
enable them to test their capacity fol
self-government under the most favora
bic conditions.
Rights CuDans.
1t has been objected the one side thai
Spain would not promise autonomy until her in
surgent subjects laid down their arms; the
other side that promised autonomy however lib
| eral, is insufficient, because without assurance
| of the promise being fulfilled. But the reason
ableness Of the requirement by Spain of uncon
| ditionGi surrender on the part of the insurgen
| Cubans before their autonomy is conceded, Il
| not altogether apparent. 1t ignores importan
features of the situation; the stability tive
years duration has given to the instruction
the feasibility Of its indefinite prolongation II
| the nature of things as shown by past expert
| ence the utter and imminent ruin of the islanC
unless the present strife is speedily composed
and above all, the rank abuses which all par
| ties in Spain, all branches of her government
| and all her leading public men concede to ex
list and profess desire to remove.
In the face OF such circumstances, to with
| hold the proffer Of needed reforms until tn
| parties demanding them put themselves a
their mercy by throwing down their arms ha
| the appearance Of neglecting the gravest o
| perils and inviting suspicion 20 the sincerit,
of any professed willingness to grant reforms
The objection on behalf of the insurgents-tha
promised reforms not be relied upon-must
OF course, be considered, though we have n
! right to assume this, and no reason for as
Stunning that anything Spain undertakes to d
for the relief OF Cuba will not be done accord
ing to both the spirit and the letter OF tn
undertaking.
Oyertures Made to Spain.
Nevertheless realizing that suspicious on tn