The Topeka state journal., 1897-11-24
In Language Which Leaves No
Room For misunderstanding.
If Autonomy Shall Be Accepted
and Cuba Be Pacified
Within a Reasonable Time All
Will Be Well.
WILLHAVENO HUMBUG
Present Conditions MustChange
and Change Soon,
Or the United States Will Take
Hand in the Trouble.

New York. Nov24-A dispatch to the
Tribune from washington says;
cuba and the currency viii be the
leading topics in the presidents mess
age 1t is understood that the discus
sion Of the Cuban situation viii be
comprehensive. It has already been
explained what the state department
has prepared in reply to the Spanish
note regarding flfbustering. Whether
the president win incorporate the sub
stance of this in his message, or leave
it to go in as part of the regular diplo-
matte cores spOndence. may be determ-
ined later, but the message will define
the Cuban policy of the administration,
affirmatively.
Members of congress, with whom the
president has talked freely on the sub
ject, have almost without exception
urged that this be done, and Mr.. Nc
kinley apparently has agreed with
them
The reason given for this course is
apparent While a sincere hope IS en-
tertained that the Sagasta ministry
may end the war at an early date the
posi- bility of its failure cannot he over
looked In that event, 1t is deslrd.9 pie
for the policy of this country to be
known. A strong intimatiOn is given
that in the failure of an end to the
present conditions in Cuba at an early
date. no hesitation Will be shown in the
United States, making known its posi-
tiOn Of ultimate intervention Human
ity and commerce may both be made
the grounds for this action
The belief is that the Cuban problem
will be solved without danger of war
between Spain and the United States
and will be solved through the good Of
fees of this country, but the expecta-
tion is that these good offices Will be
exerted within a reasonable time after
congress meets and after the prospects
of the insurgents accepting or rejecting
autonomy are known beyond question.
If Cuba is actually pacified and indus
try and trade are resumed that cOndi-
ton is expected to speak for itself The
refusal of a few insurgent leaders to
lay down their arms and the cOntinu-
ance of sort of bandit warfare would
not be interpreted by the administra-
tiOn as the failure of autonomy. On the
other hand, the continuance of the
present conditions would hardly be ac
cepted as evidence that the island is
pacifed.
Some misunderstanding is said to
exist in Spanish official circles regard
ing the position of the administration
if the decree of autonomy is gazetted.
The administration would not under
any circumstances undertake to guar
antee autonomy. That would be max
ing itself responsible for the colonial
authorities But the presidents good
offices are exerted toward giving the
policy of autonomy fair trial. The
message is expected to make this point
clear beyond the possibility of misun-
derstanding.
It is the confident belief that the
presidents discussion of the Cuban sit
uation will tend to strengthen the feel
ing that the administration Will be
able to meet every phase of it in a
manner to satisfy the conservative bus
mess interests of the country and dis
courage radical or precipitate action.