New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-11
A FRIENDLY MESSAGE SENT TO SPAIN.
fBy TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrDrNEl

Secretary Olney and addressed to Minister Tay
lor In it the Cuban policy Of the Administra-
ton was laid down with detail and particularly.
The four principal points Of the dispatch are
First-The President proposes mediation on the
part Of the United States. looking to settlement
of existing differences between the Spanish Gov
ernment and the Cubans
Second-The dispatch refers to the corre-
spondence between the State Department and
the Madrid authorities in 1870. In which Spain
promised to institute governmental reforms In
Cuba, which promises. It Is said. have not been
fulfilled
Third-The President says that the present re-
bellion In Cuba Is more serious and widespread
than any other which has arisen In recent years
that the insurgents control practically all Of
Cuba except Havana and its nelghborhood. and
that the circumstances seem to warrant friendly
overtures by this country.
Fourth-The United states Government assures
Srain Of the kindliest motives its part in
seeking to bring about a pacific settlement Of
affairs in Cuba. and urges that the good offices
OF this country be accepted in the spirit In which
they proffered
BELLIGERENCY NOT TO BE RECOGNIZED.
II is well known here that since the passage OF
the Cuban resolutions by the House the President
and Secretary Oney have been frequently In con-
sultation In relation 10 the general situation In
Cuba. and to the wisest course for the United
States 10 pursue under the circumstances. Few,
II any, OF the many friends OF Cuba in Congress
have expected that the President would take
steps in harmony with the spirit of the resolu-
tons adopted by both branches The President
decided negatively Tuesday the question Of
recognizing a stat, Of begerency in the island.
In reaching this decision he followed the advice
of Secretary Olney which was based on the
precedent established by President Grant In his
first Administration. General Grant acting upon
the earnest recommendations OF Secretary Fish.
II having been determined not to recognize
belllgerency In the Island. the point to be decided
was what steps. II any. should be taken. The
President aid the Secretary OF State
In the opinion that some measures were neces-
sary As a result OF several conferences at the
White House the President finally decided that.
as said above mediation on the part Of the
United States should be suggested TO Spain.
So FAR as is known the President has not dis
cussed his proposed course with any other men,
ber Of the Cablne. than Mr.. Olney. He regards
the Secretrry OK State as his safest and soundest
adviser and In international affairs II is the
exception when Re asks for the Views of any
ther Cabinet Minister In all affairs OF State
Il Is the custom Of the President personally TO
go into details "a well as to watch the general
drift OF important diplomatic dispatches In
the case OF Cuba H. did not depart from his rule.
He drew up not only the outline OF Mr.. Olneys
note to Minister Taylor but suggested many OF
the paragraphs and some Of the sentences
ARBITRARY INTERFERENCE UNJUST1FI-
ABLE.
The President views the present condition OF
affairs in Cuba deserving serious considera-
ton. He recognizes that conditions exist which
are most unfortunate. and which are injurious.
not only to Spain. but TO the vast commerce
between the United States and Cuba He real
ICES however that Spain and this country
terms Of amity. and thinks that vigorous pro
ceedngs on the part % the United States
would result in the .oss Of the object aimed
at Arbitrary Interference might mean
rupture OF the friendly relations between Spain
and the United States The President is opposed
TO the adoption u measures which might lead
TO such result He regards the recognition OF
a state OF belligerency in Cuba as unwise and
uniustiAable under the circumstances. and as
certain to irritate the Spanish people
For the present. at least. he Is OF the opinion
that the best coarse Is 10 offer the good offices
OF this Government In effectng settlement Of
serious
Cuban insurgents.
THE SUGGESTIONS TO SPAIN.
Secretary Olney's letter to Minister Taylor
was written In the most cautious manner. In
referring TO the proposition that Spain accept
mediation on the part Of the United States. he
says that the attitude Of this country In the
matter is a friendly one. and that the United
States can have no other object. as Spain must
know, than to bring about a more satisfactory
condition OF affairs In Cuba He compliments
Spain to the extent OF intimating that she Is too
great Power to fear to do what is right. and
that z the claims OF the Cuban insurgents as to
Spanish wrongs are based on fact. 1t Is the duty
OF the Madrid Government to institute a more
lust. Ien!ent and humane policy toward Cuba.
Such a course II is pointed out. would tend to
bring about quiet and restore order in the island
and modify the growing impression throughout
the world that many OF the alleged evils in Cuba
are the result Of harsh treatment or the ma!ad-
ministratio,, OF the Colonial Government.
As one reason for suggesting mediation In the
case Minister Taylor Ia informed that many
of the citizens In this country interested in
estates In Cuba or In the commerce with the
island have suffered, and are suffering on ac-
count of the present rebellion. This fact and
others which the Secretary sets forth are, In
his opinion a sufficient justification for pro-
posing TO Spain that she accept the good offices
OF the United States in effecting settlement o.
differences between the mother country and
her island colony.
The Secretary OF State refers to the corre-
spondence between the State Department and
the Madrid Government in the first Admins
tration of President Grant. when Secretary
Fish. by direction of the President. proposed
that the United States should act as mediator
between Spain and the insurgents Spain then
politely declined the good offices OF this coun-
try. but intimated that the time might come
when they would be acceptable to her. sne
however. that a number OF Important
reforms should be Instituted III
othar~ that tha taxes In the ISL