Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1896-12-08
GROWERS MESSAGE.
[concinued from first page.l


tlons OF philanthropy and humanity
in general have led to vehement de
mand In various quarters for SOM
sort of positive Intervention on th'
mart of the United States. 1t is nov
also suggested that the United State
should buy the island-a suggestion
probably worthy of consideration !
There were any evidences of a desire
or willingness on the part of Spain u
entertain such a proposal. 1t is urgeC
that all other methods failing, the eX
isting internecine strife in CubS
should be terminated by our interYen
tion, even at the cost of war be
tween the United States aud spain
"A war which its advocates cOntidentl y
proDhecy could neither be large In ltS
proportions or doubtful in its issue
The United States has, nevertheless
acharacter to maintain as q nation.
which plainly indicates that right.
and not might. should he the rule 0i
its conduct. 1t would seem that II
Spain should offer to Cuoa genuine
autonomy-a measure OF home rule,
while preserving the sovereignty OF
Spain, would satisfy all rational re-
quirements of her Spanish subjects
there should be no just reason why
the modification Of the island might
not be effected on that basis. Such a
result would appear to be in the true
interest of all concerned. III would
stop at once the conflict which is now
consuming the resources of the island
and making it worthless for whichever
party may ultimately prevail. 1t
would keep intact the possessions OF
Spain without touching her honor,
which will be consulted rather than
impunged by the adequate redress of
admitted grievances. 1t would put
the property of the island and the for
tunes of its inhabitants within their
own control without severing their
natural and ancient ties which bind
would yet enable them TO test their
capacity for self-goveTnmentu under the
most favorable conditions. 1t has
been objected on the one side that
Spain would not promise autonomy
until her insurgent subjects lay down
their arms; on the other side, that
promised autonomy however liberal, is
insufficient, because without aSSur-
ance of the promise being filled. But
the reasonableness of the require
ments of Spain of unconditional sur
render on the part Of the insurgent
Cubans before their autonomy is coz
ceded is not altogether apparent.
Nevertheless, realizing that suspicious
on the part of the weaker OF two COM
batantS are always natural, and not
always unjustifiable, being seriously
desirous 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 sa-
tisfaU tory measure of home.rule were
rendered the Cuban insurgents, and
would be. accepted by them upon a
guarantee of its execution, the United
States would endeayOr to find way,
not Objectionable to Spain, fer furnish
ing such guaranty.
While no definite response to this In
timation has yet been received from
The Spanish government, it is believed
to be not altogether unwelcOmed
while perceived why it should not be
by the insurgents. The
friendly 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.
Whatever circumstances may arise
our policy and our interest would con-
strain us to object to the acquisition
of the island or an interference With
its control by any other power. 1t
should be added that il cannot be
assumed that the hitherto
attitude OF the United
States Will be indefinitely maintained.
While we are anxious to accord all due
respect to the sovereignty of Spain,
we cannot view the pending conflict
In all its features and properly appre-
hend our close relations to it and its
results without consideration
that by the course of events we may
be drawn into such an unusual and un-
condition as will tlX
limit to our petient waiting for Spain
to end the contest, either alone and
in her own way, or with our friendly
DIFFERING the choice or
ways and methods until the time for
action arrives, we should then depend
upon the precise conditions then exist
ing.
VENEZUELAN BOUNDARY.
The Venezuelan boundary question
has ceased to be a matter of difference
between Great Britain and the United
States, their respective governments
having agreed upon the substantial
provisions of treaty between Great
Britain and Venezuela, submitting the
whole controversy TO arbitration. The
provisions OF the treaty are so emil
lently Just and fair that the assent
Of Venezuela may confidently be an
,icipated. Negotiations by treaty
" general arbitration for all ditfer-
.nces between Great Britain and the
United sStates are far advanced and
)romisee TO reach successful con-
at an early date.
THE DEFICIENCY.
The secretary OF the treasury re-
ports that during the fiscal year end
ng June 30, 1896, the receipts OF the |
from all sources amounted |
% s409, ,475, ,408.76. During the same |
,eriod its expenditures were S434 $751; |
54.4 .48, the excess Of the expenditures |
'Yer receipts thus amounting to $780, |
03, ,245. 20. The value of our imported |
merchandise during the last
Iscal year was S909, 1857, ,770 ,and the
alue of free goods imported $409, ,967,-
10. Being an increase of $6,523,675 |
n the value OF free goods over the