The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-12-11

Spain In connection with Cuba, unques-
tionably evinces no slight respect and re-
gard Tor Spain on the part OF the American
people. They I'm truth do not forget her
connection with the discovery of the vest
ern hemisphere, nor do they under estimate
the great qualities OF the Spanish people.
nor fail to fully recognize their splendid
patriotism and their chiyalrous devotion
to tho national honor. They view with
wonder and admiration the cheerful reso-
luton with which vast bodies of men are
sent across thousands of miles of ocean
and an enormous debt accumulated that
the costly possession of the gem of the
Antilles may still hold its place in the
Spanish crown. And yet neither the gov
eminent nor the people of the United
States have shut their eyes to the course
OF events In Cuba or have failed to realize
the existence OF conceded grievances which
have led to the present revolt from the
authority or Spain--grievances recognized
by the queen regent and by the cortes
voiced by the most patriotic and enlight-
cned of Spanish statesmen without regard
to party, and demonstrated by reforms pro-
posed by the executive and approved by
the legislative branch of the Spanish gov
eminent.
Spain Should Grant Autonomy.
1t is In the assumed temper and dispo-
sition of the Spanish government to rem
edy these grievances, fortified by indica-
tons 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 advantage to Spain and with the
achievement of all the reasonable objects
OF the instruction. 1t would seem that
IL Spain should offer to Cuba genuine
while preserving the sovereignty of Spain,
would satisfy all rational requirements of
her Spanish subjects-there should be no
island might not be effected on that basis.
Such result would appear to be in the
true interest of all concerned 1t would
tot Lob. tc
Stunning the resources of the island and
making 1t worthless for whichever party
may ultimately prevail il would keep
touching her honor, which will be consulted
rather than impugned by the adequate re-
dress of admitted grievances. 1t would
fortunes of its inhabitants within their
own control, without severing the natural
and ancient ties which bind them to the
them to test their capacity for self-govern-
ment under the most favorable conditions.
Objections Answered.
IT has been objected on the one side that
Spain should not promise autonomy until!
arms; on the other side, that promised au-
tonomy, however liberal is insufficient be-
cause without assurance OF the promise be-
ing fulfilled, but the reasonableness of a re-
Quirement by Spain, of unconditional sur
render on the part OF the insurgent Cubans
before their autonomy is conceded IS not
features Of the situaton-the stability Of
two years duration has given to the in
surrection the, feasibility of its indefinite
prolongation In the nature of things,
and as shown by past experience, the
utter and imminent ruin of the island UNI
less the present strife Is speedily composed;
above all, the rank abuses which all par
ties in Spain, all branches Of her govern
ment and all her leading public men con-
cede to exist and profess desire to re-
move. Facing such circumstances to with
nOlQ the DrOffer of needed reforms until
the parties demanding them put them
selves at mercy by throwing down their
arms has the appearance of neglecting the
gravest of perils and inviting suspicion as
to the sincerity Of any professed willingness
to grant reforms
The objection on behalf of the insurgents
that proposed reforms cannot be relied
upon-must of course be considered, though
we have no right to assume and no reason
takes to do for the relief of Cuba will not
be done according to both the spirit and
the letter of the undertaking.
offered Our Services.
Nevertheless, realizing that suspicious
and precautions on the part of the weak.
er or Two combatants are always natural
and not always unjustifiable-being sin
cerely DESTROYS in the interest of both, as
well as on its own account that the Cuban
problem should be solved with the least
possible delay, it was intimated by this
government to the government of Spain
some months ago that, If a satisfactory
measure Oh nome RUE were rendered tho
Cuban insurgents, and would be accepted
by them upon guaranty of its execution,
the United States would endeavor to find
a way not Objectionable to Spain of fur
nishing such guaranty. While no definite
response to this intimation has yet been
received from the Spanish government, II
is believed to be not altogether unwelcome,
while, as already suggested, no reason Is
perceived why 1t should not be approved by
the insurgents. Neither party can fail
to see the importance of early action, and
n h nnI tUn hot IN hn
ent state of things for even a short period
will add enormously to the time and labor
and expenditure necessary to bring about
the Industrial regeneration of the island.
1t Is therefore fervently hoped on all
grounds that earnest efforts for healing |
the breach between Spain and the insurgent |
be at once inaugurated and pushed to an |
Immediate and successful issue. The friend |
ly offices of the United States either In !
the manner above outlined or in any other /
way consistent with our constitution and |
laws will always be at the disposal OF
either party.
Limit to Our Patience.
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 power 1t should be added that 1t |
,annot be reasonably assumed that the
States will be indefinitely maintained.
While we are anxious to accord all due re-
spect to the sovereignty of Spain, we can
not view the pending conflict in all its
features and properly apprehend our in
avitably close relations to Ii and its pos
,ible results without considering that by
he course of events we may be drawn into
such an unusual and unprecedented con-
lition as will fix q limit to our patient
waiting for Spain to end the contest, either
alone and in her own way, or with our
friendly cooperation.
When the inability Of Spain to deal sue
,essfully with the Instruction has be-
come manifest, and II is demonstrated that
Ter sovereignty Is extinct in Cuba for all
purposes OF it's rightful existence, and
when a hopeless struggle for Its reestab-
ishment has degenerated into a. strife
which means nothing more than the USE
ess sacrifice of human life and the utter
destruction OF the very subject matter OF
he conflict, a situation will be presented
n which our obligations to the sovereignty
Il Spain will be superseded by higher OBJ
igations, which we can hardly hesitate to
ecoenize and discharge.
Deferring the choice of ways and meth
IDS until the time for action arrives, we
houid make them depend upon the pre-
Use conditions then existing; and they
hould not be determined upon without
diving careful heed to every consideration
involving our honor and interest, or the
duty we owe to Spain. Until
We face the contingencies suggested, or
he situation Is by other incidents impera-
lively changed, we should continue in the
Inc of conduct heretofore pursued, thus
n all circumstances exhibiting our obedi-
nee TO the requirements of public law and
mr. rppa~d for the duty entOiued uDOn us