The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1897-12-16
was initiated in Feb

IT has utterly failed as a war
measure. 1t was not civilized war
fare-it was extermination,r SAWS
the President. Against this abuse
OF the rights OF war he has felt con-
strained on repeated occasions TO en-
ter the firm and earnest protest of
THIS government. He made instant
demand for the release or speedy tri-
al of all American citizsn under ar
rest, and after a change Of the Span
ish cabinet in October last, twenty
two prisoners, citiz sns OF the United
States had been given THEN freedom.
MINISTER WooDFoRp's PROPOSALS.
The instructionsof Minister Wood
ford directed him to impress upon
the Spanish government the sincere
wish Of the United States to lend its
aid toward the ending Of tie
war by reaching peaceful and last
ing result, just and honorable alike
to Spain aud TO the Cuban people. It
was also ssked whether Spain of her
own volitlon, moved by her own in
teres!s TO humanity, should not make
proposals of settlement, and it was
said that We could 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.
All that was asked or expected was
that some safe way might be speed
lily provided and permanent peace re-
stored. The President refers to the
change in the Spanish cabinet about
this time and continuing says:
SPANS REPLY.
"The reply to our note was in the
direction of a better understanding.
1t appreciates the friendly purposes
| of this government. 1t amits that it
is deeply affected by the Cuban war.
1t declares that the present Spanish
government is bound by every con-
sideration to a 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 reforms
heretofore advocated by the pres ent
Premier, without haltlng for any
consideration in the path which in
its judgment tends to peace. The
military operations, it is said, will
continue but will be humane and
conducted with all regard for private
rights, being accompanied by politl-
cal action leading to the autonomy
of Cuba while guarding Spanish SOW
ereignty.
1t further suggests that Spain be
left free to conduct tha military OPP
erations and grant political reform,
while the United States, for its part,
shall enforce neutIal obligations and
cut off the assistance which, 1t is as
serted, the insurgents receive from
this country. The supposition of an
indefinite prolongation of the war is
denied and complete and early pacif
icatlon is hoped for, which with the
immediate amelloration of existing
conditions in Cuba, would remove
cause for any change of attitude on
the part Of the United States"
| Spain shows an apparent disposi-
ton to charge US with failure to meet
international duties, and this charge
says the President, is without any
basis of fact. 1t could not have been
made if Spain had been cognizant Of
the constant efforts this government
ha8 made, at the cost Of millions
aad by the employ ment of the ad
ministrative machinery of the natior
TO perform its full duty. That it ha:
successfully prevented The departure
Of Jingle military expedition o.
armed vessels from our shore in VIC
atiou Of our laws would seem to be {
81 fioiont answer and due response
t. this charge has been made in dip
iomat;, course.
Decl airing that throughout al
these horrors, and dangers to eul
own peace, the United States ha'
neyet abrogated its prerogative o
5 dete rmlning its policy accorelng t.
rs own high sense of right and it
5 iute, asts, the President says:
: "Of the untried measures, ther'
remain only Recognition of tn
insurgents as belligerents; recogni
{ ton of the independence Of Cuba
= Intervention to end the war by i'm
posing rational compromise be
3 tween the contestants, and intervent
, ion iu favor of one or the other par
: ty. | speak not of forcible annexa
9 ton, for that cannot be thought ol
r That by our code of morality, woul
: hs criminal aggression"
[ RECC4NITION OF BELIGERENCY NOV
I UNWIsE.
TIE President then proceeds t
discuss the first head, namely, III
recognition of beligerency. He RI
calls the resolutions of Congress i
1895 and since then. He quotes tn
}, wise utterances of President Gran
in MS message of December Z, 1877;
Il particularly where he declare
y against the recognition of indepent
u ence at that time and also Presider
3 Grants declaration that he failed
find in the insurrection the exis
} ence of such a substantial politics
; organization and other elements r.
,, uired by international usage g
= would place it on the footing of We
to which a recognition of belligerene
10 would aim to elevate it. Compile
is ing his quotation from that porto
Le of President Grants message, tt
10 President says still further pertinel
h considerations appear as to the pra
n tical aspects of the questions.
g. the code of nations there is no sue
,r thing as q naked recognition of be
ID ligerency, accompanied by the a
ID sumption of international neutra
8. ity. Such recognition would n
Of confer upon either party to the co
rt fiict status not therefore actual
st possessed and a recognition of be
to ligerency, while nominally equs
Of would weigh heavily in behalf
Us Spain. She could ouly claim Il
r. right of search on the high SO