Middletown transcript., 1897-12-11


losses it entails, the burdens and re
straints it imposes upon;us, with con
| slant disturbance of national interest
and the injury resulting from an indie
finite continuance of this state o
things. 1t was stated that at this june
ture our government was constrained
to seriously inquire if the time was no
ripe when Spain, of her own violation
moved by her own interest and ever
sentiment of humanity should put {
stop to this destructive war and make
proposals of sett lement honorable tC
herself and just TO her Cuban colony
1t was urged that as neighboring ma
tion, with large interests in Cuba, we
could be required to wait only reason
able time for the mother country tt
establish its authority and restore peace
and order within the borders of the
island; that we could not contemplate
an indefinite period for the accomplish
ment of this result.
No solution was proposed TO which
the slightest idea of humiliation to
Spain could attach, and indeed the pre-
else proposals were withheld to avoid
embarrassment to the government. All
that was asked or expected was that
some safe way might be speedily provid-
ed and permanent peace restored. It has
so chanced that the consideration which
had declined the tenders of my prede-
cessor, and which for more than two
years had poured men and treasure into
Cuba in the fruitless effort to suppress
the revolt, fell to others. Between the
departure of General Woodford, the
new envoy, and his arrival in Spain,
the statesman who had shaped the pol
icy of his country fell by the hand of
an assassin 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
a few days thereafter to a new admin
istration under the leadership of Sagas-
ia.
The reply to our note was received
on the 23rd day of October. 1t in the
direction of better understanding. 1t
appreciates the friendly purposes of
this government. 1t admits that our
country is deeply affected by the war
in Cuba and that its desires for peace
are just. 1t declares that the present
Spanish Government is bound by every
consideration to change of policy that
should satisfy the United States and
pacify Cuba within reasonble time.
To this end Spain has decided to put
into effect the political reforms here
tofore advocated by the present premier,
without hauling for any consideration
in the path which in its judgment leads
to peace. The military operations, it
is said, will continue, but will be hu-
name and will be conducted with all
regard for private rights, being accom-
panied by political action leading to au-
tony of Cuba while guanteeing Span
ish sovereignty. This,i is claimed, will
result in investing Cuba with dis
tinct personality; the island to be gov
erned by an executive and by a local
council or chamber, reserving to Spain
the control of the foreign relations, the
army and navy, aud the judicial ad-
ministration. To accomplish this the
present government proposes to mod
ify existing legislation by decree, leav-
ing the Spanish Cortes, with the aid of
Cuban Senators and Deputies TO solve
the economic problem and properly dis
tribute the existing debt.
In the absence of declaration of the
measures that this government pro-
poses to take In carrying out its proffer
of good offices it suggests that Spain
be left free to conduct military opera
tions and grant political reforms, while |
the United States for its part shall en-.
force its neutral obligations and cut
off the assistance which it is asserted |
the insurgents receive from this
The supposition of an indefi-
mite prolongation of the war is denied. II
is asserted that the western provinces
are already we'll nigh reclaimed, that
the planting of cane and tobacco there
in has been resumed and that by force
of arms and new and ample reforms
very early and complete pacification is
hoped for.
The immediate amelloration of ex-
listing conditions under the new ad-
of the Cuban affairs is
predicted and therewithal the disturb
ances and all occasion for any change
of attitude on the pat of the United
States. Discussion Of the question of
duties and responsible
ties of the United States as Spain un-
derstands them is made with an appar-
ent disposition to charge US with fail
ure in this regard. This charge is
without any basis of fact. Il 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 ministry of the nation
1t command to perform its full duty
according to the law of nations. That
it has successfully prevented the de-
parture of single expedition or armed
vessel from our shorss in violation of
,ur laws would seem to be a sufficient
answer. But of this aspect of the
Spanish note it is not necessary to speak
'urther now. Firm in the conviction
If wholly performed obligation, due
'esponse to this charge has been made
II diplomatic course. +,
throughout all these horrors and