The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-12-10

the political reforms heretofore advocat-
ed by the present premier, without halt
ing for any consideration in the path
which in its judgment, leads to peace.
The military operations, ii is said, will
continue. but will be humane and con-
Quoted with all regard for private rights,
being accompanied by political action
leading to the autonomy Of Cuba while
guarding Spanish sovereignty. 1t fur
ther suggests that Spain be left free to
d the military operations and
grant political reforms, while the United
States for its part shall enforce neutral
obligations ard cut off the assistance
which, it is asserted. the insurgents re-
ceive from this country The suppose
ton of an indefinite prolongation of the
war is denied and complete and early
pacification is hoped for, which, with the
Immediate amelioration of existing con-
ditionS in Cuba, would remove cause for
United States. Spain shows an appar-
ent disposition to charge US with failure
to meet duties. and this
charge. says the president. is without
any basis of fact. 1t could not ave been
made If Spain had been cognizant Of the
constant efforts this government has
made at the cost OF millions and by the
employment of the administrative ma
chinery of the nation to perform it's full
duty. That it has successfully prevent
ed the departure Of a single military ex-
petition or armed vessels from our shore
in violation of our laws would seem to be
a sufficient answer and due response to
this charge has been made in diplomatic
course.
Declaring that throughout all these
horrors and dangers to our own peace,
the United States has never abrogated
its p~rerogative Of determining a policy
according to its own high sense Of right
and its interests, the president says:
NO CAUSE FOR INTERVENTION.
o the untried measures there remain
only: Recognition of the insurgents as
belligerents. recognition of the independ-
ence of Cuba: neutral Intervention to end
the war by imposing a rational compro-
mise between the contestants, and inter-
vention in favor of one or the other par
ty. l speak not of forcible annexation,
for that cannot be thought Of. That by
our code of morality, would be criminal
aggression
. The president then proceeds to discuss
the first head. namely. the recognition
of belligerency. He recalls the IesoIu-
tions of congress in 1896 and since: he
quotes the wise uttera1ces OF President
Grant in his message Of December Z.
1879, particularly where he declares
against the recognition of independence
at that time, and also President Grants
declaration that he failed to find in the
insurrection the existence of such a sub
stantial political organization and other
elements required by international usage
as would place it on the terrible footing
of war to which a recognition of bellig-
erency would aim to elevate it. Com
pletlng his quotation from that portion
of President Grants message the presi-
dent says still further pertinent consid-
erations appear as to the practical as
poets of the question. In the code of
nations there is no such thing as a naked
recognition of belligerency, unaccompa-
MED by the assumption of international
neutrality. Such recognition would not
confer upon either party to the conflict
a stains mot fhorntofora Lnof,oiu ~
Sessed and a recognition of belligerent
rights, while nominally equal, would
weigh heavily in behalf of Spain herself.
Spain could not only claim the right of
search on the high seas and of Seizure
of contrabands. but her maritime rights
could be asserted up to the margin of
our own territorial waters and a condi-
tiOn of things would exist for which the
Cubans within their own domains could
not hope to create a parallel. The United
States would acquire no right of inter
vention to enforce the conduct of the
strife within the authority OF
Spain according to the international code
of war. For these reasons" says the
president, Il regard the recognition OF
the belligerency of the Cuban insurgents
as now unWise and therefore nadmiSsi.
BILE. Should that step hereafter be deem
ed wise as a measure of right and duty
the executive will take it,"
The president then discusses the ques
.tion of Intervention upon Humanitarian
grounds. and he asks whether this ster
should be taken when it is apparent tha1
a hopeful change has supervened in the
policy of Spain ware Cuba. He re-
calls that the new Spanish government
has pledged itself to reform and an aban.
of the bayonet policy alone
| and finds that the first acts Of the new
government lie in these honorable paths
The policy of cruel rapine and extermi
nation that has SO long shocked the uni
versal sentiment of humanity has beer
reversed. Broad clemency is proffered
measures have been taken to relieve tn,
horrors of starvation. The power of tn,
Spanish armies, 1t is asserted, is to b,
used. not to spread ruin and desolation
but to protect the resumption of peace
iui AGRICULTURAL pursuits and p%roductiv'
industries. That past methods are fulfill
to force a peace by subjugation is freel.
admitted, and that ruin without concili
alton must inevitably fail to win 70
Spain the fidelity of a contented depend
ency. DEGREES in application of the fore
Swallowed reforms have already beef
promulgated.
SPANS REFORM POLICY.
The president describes the reform pol
icy of the Spanish government as /
Cuba, as has already been set out in tn
press, and says:
THAT the government of Sagasta ha
entered upon a course from which receS
sion with honor is impossible can hardl
be Questioned: that in the few weeks
has existed it has made earnest of tn
sincerity of its professions is undenia
VIC L Shoi " AIHp1oA 4 SiItItiAhy ID
should Impotence be suffered to embar
rasS 1t in the task il has undertaken.
is honestly due to Spain and 10 OIL
friendly relations with Spain that sh
should be given a reasonable nance /
realize her expectations and to prov
the asserted efficacy of the new order @
things to which she stands irrevocabi
committed. She has recalled the con-
mander whose brutal orders infiamed In
! American mind and shocked the civiiize
world. She has modified the horrible Oh
der Of concentration and has undertake
to care for the helpless and permit thos
who desire to resume the cultivation c
their fields to do so and assures them c
the protection of the Spanish govern
ment in their lawful occupations. Sh
has just released the competitor pris
oners heretofore sentenced to death an
who have been the subject of repeate
diplomatic correspondence during bot
this and the preceding administration.
Not a. single American citizen is no,
in arrest or confinement in Cuba G
whom this government has any know