The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-12-09

the statesman who lac shaped the policy
OF his country fell by the hand of an as
sassin, and although the cabinet Of the
late premier still held office and received
from our envoy the proposals he bore,
that cabinet gave place within few
days thereafter to a new administration
under the leadership of Sagasta.
The reply to our note was received on
the 23d day of October. 1t is in the direc-
ton of a better understanding. 1t appre-
ciates the friendly purposes of this gov
| ernment. 1t admits that our country is
deeply affected by the war in Cuba and
that its desires for peace are just. 1t de-
| clares that the present Spanish govern
| ment is bound by every consideration to
change Of policy that should satisfy
| the United States and pacify Cuba within
| a reasonable time. To this end Spain has
decided to put into effect the political re-
| forms heretofore advocated by the present
| Grafton in the path which, In its judg-
ment, leads to peace. The military opera
tons, it is said, will continue. but will be
humane and conducted with all regard for
| private rights, being accompanied by po-
litical action leading to the autonomy of
| Cuba, while guarding Spanish sovereign
| ty. This, it is claimed will result in in
vestins Cuba with a distinct personality
| the island to be governed by an executive
| and by local council or chamber, reserv-
ing to Spain the control of the foreign re-
lations. the army and navy and the judi
| cial administration. To accomplish this
| the present government proposes to mod
! ify existing legislation by decree, leaving
the Spanish cortes. with the aid Of Cuban
senator's and deputies. to solve the eco
nomic problem and properly distribute the
| existing debt
| In the absence of a declaration Of the
measures that this government proposes
to take in carrying out its proffer OF good
offices it suggests that Spain. being free
| the reforms, while the United States for
its part shall enforce its neutral obi! ga
| tons and cut off the assistance which 1t
| Is asserted the insurgents receive from
| this country. The supposition of an III
definite prolongation of the war Is de-
MED 1t is asserted that the western prov
| inces are already well nigh rec claimed;
that the planting of cane and tobacco
| therein has been resumed and that hv
| force of arms and new and ample
reforms very early and entire pacifi-
| teration OF existing conditions under the
| new administration of Cuban affairs is
! predicted. and Herewith all the disturb
| ance and all occasion for any change of
| attitude on the part of the United States
| will be removed.
Discussion of the question of interna-
tional duties and resPonsibilities Of the
| them, is presented, with an apparent dis
position to charge us with failure in this
| regard. This charge is without any basis
| in fact 1t could not have 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 machinery Of the
| nation at command, to perform its full
| duty according to the law of nations.
!! That it has successfully prevented the
| departure OF single military expedition
| or armed vessel from our shores In viola
| tionS of our laws would seem to be suf-
| ficient answer. But of this aspect OF the
| Spanish note 1t is not necessary to speak
| further now. Firm in the conviction of
| a wholly performed obligation. due re-
| sponse to this charge has been made in
! diplomatic course.
| Through all these horrors and dangers
| to our own peace, this government has
| never broken nor in any way abrogated
| its sovereign prerogative of reserving TO
| itself the determination of its policy and
| course according to its own high sense
! of right and in conSonance with the in
| terests and convictions of our own people
| should the prolongation of the strife so
| demand.
or the untried measures these only re-
main: Recognition of the insurgents as
belligerents; recognition of the independ-
| ence OF Cuba; neutral intervention TO end
| the war by imposing rational conpro-
mise between the contestants, and inter
| vention in favor OF one or the other party.
| I speak not of forcible annexation, for
that cannot be thought of. That, by our
| code of morality, would be criminal ag
| gression.
| Recognition of the belligerency of the
| Cuban insurgents has often been can
| vassed as possible If not inevitable step,
l
| struggle and during the present war. |
| am not unmindful that the two houses Of
| congress in the spring of 1886 expressed
| the opinion by concurrent resolution that
| a condition of public war existed requ;r
| ing or justifyng the state Of belligerency
| in Cuba, and during the extra session the
senate voted joint resolution OF like i'm
| port. which. however, was not brought to
| a vote in the house Of representatives. In
| the presence of these significant express
sions of the sentiment of the Legislative
| k4l,
soberly consider the conditions on
| which SO important a measure must
needs rest for Justification. 1t is 10 be
| seriously considered whether the Cuban
| insurrection possesses beyond dispute the
attributes of statehood which alone can
| demand the recognition Of beiligerency ir
! its favor. Possession. in snort. of the es-
| sential qualifications of sovereignty Dy
| the insurgents and the conduct of war
| by them according to the received code of
war, are no less important factors to-
| ward the determination Of the problem
| Of bellgerency than are the influences ana
consequences Of the struggle upon the in
ternal policy Of the recognizing state.
The utterances of Gen. Grant in his
memorable address of December T. 1875.
are signally relevant to the present stua-
ton in Cuba, and Ii may be wholesome
cow to recall them. At that time ruin
Gus conflict had for seven years wasted
the neighborlng island. During all these
years an utter disregard of the laws of
civilized warfare and of the just demands
OF humanity. which called forth express
sions of condemna ton from the nations
or Christendom, continued unabated.
Desolation and ruin pervaded that pro-
cuctive region. enormously affecting the
commerce of al! commercial nations. but
that of the United States more than any
other by reason Of proximity and larger
trade and intercourse. At that juncture
Grant uttered these words. which now
then sum up the elements OF the prob
lem:
"A recognition Of the independence of
Cuba being, in my opinion. impractcabla
and lndefensible. the question which next
presents itself is that of the recognition
OF belligerent rights in the parties to the
contest. In former message to con-
sress had occasion to consider this ques
ton, and reached the conclusion that the
conflict in Cuba. dreadful and devastat
ing as were its incidents. did not rise to
the fearful dignity of war"
1t is possible that the acts of foreign
powers. and even the acts of Spain her
self. Of this very nature, might be point
ed to in defense OF such recognition. But
now, as in its past history, the United
states should carefully avoid the false
lights which might lead it into the nlazes
Of doubtful law and OF questionable pro-
priety and adhere rigidly and sternly 10
the rule. which has been its guide Of do
ing only that which is right and honest
and OF good report The question of ac-
cording or Of Withholding rights OF bel
ligerency must be Judged In every case
in view of the Dartjcyliar attending facts