The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1897-12-17

"
the misfortunes of Spain We have onl
the desire to see the Cubans prosperous an
contented, enjoying that measure of self
control which Is the inalienable right o
man, protected In their right to reap tn
benefit of the exhaustless treasures of thel
country.
The offer made by my predecessor Ii
April 1896, rendering the friendly offices o
the government failed. Any mediation OF
our part was not accepted. In brief, thu
answer read: There is no effectual way t
pacify Cuba unless It begins with the actua
submission of the rebels to the mother.
Then only could Spain act in the promised
direction of her own motion and after hel
own plans
The cruel policy of concentration was in
itiated February 16, 1896. This policy the
late cabinet of Spain JUSTIFIED as neces
Sary measure of war and as means of cut
ting off supplies from the insurgents 1t has
utterly failed as war measure, 1t was
not civilized warfare. 1t was extermina-
ton. Against this abuse of the rights OF
war have felt constrained on repeated oc'
casions to enter the firm and earnest pro-
test of this government
spain's Recent Promise
The instructions given to our new minister
to Spain before his departure for his
| post directed him to impress upon
that government the sincere wish OF
the United States to lend its aid toward the
| ending of the war in Cuba by reaching a
peaceful and lasting result, just and hon
orable alike to Spain and the Cuban people.
No solution was proposed to which the
slightest idea of humiliation to Spain could
attach, and indeed precise proposals were
withheld to avoid embarrassment to that
government All that was asked or expect
ed was that some safe way ight be speed
lily provided and permanent peace
restored. Between the depa rture
of General Woodford, the new
envoy, and his arrival In Spain the
statesman who had shaped the policy 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 few days thereafter to new
administration under the leadership of Sa-
gasta
The reply to our note was received on the
23d day of October 1t is in the direction of
better understanding. 1t appreciates tho
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 pres
ent Spanish government is bound by every
consideration to a change of policy that
should satisfy the United States and pactty
Cuba within a reasonable time To this
end Spain has decided to put into effect
the political reforms heretofore advocated
by the present prem without hating Tor
any consideration in the path which in Its
judgment leads to peace. The military OPP
erations, it is said will continue. but will be
humane and conducted with all regard for
private rights, being acc ompanied by polit-
ical action leading TO the autonomy of Cuba
while guarding Spanish sovereignty This,
it Is claimed, will result in investing Cuba
with a distinct personality; the island to be
governed by an executive and by local
council or chamber, reserving to Spain the
control of the foreign relations, the army
and navy and the judicial administration.
1t suggests that Spain be left free to con-
duct military operations and grant political
reforms, while the United States for its part
shall enforce its neutral obligations and cut
off the assist lance which, 1t Is asserted, the
insurgents receive from this country. The
supposition of an indefinite prolongation of
the war is denied. The immediate anchor
alton of existing conditions under the new
administration of Cuban affairs Is pre-
dlcted and therewithal the disturbance
and all occasion for any change of attitude
on the part of the United States
Discussion of the question of international
duties and responsibilities of the United
States as Spain understands them, is pre-
scented, with an apparent disposition to
charge US with failure in this regard
spain's Charges Repudlatod.
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 mil
lions by the employment of the admins
tratlve machinery of the nation at COM
mand to perform its full duty according to
the law of nations That it has success
fully prevented the departure of single
military expedition or armed vessel from
our shores in viol ation of our laws would
seem to be sufficient answer But of this
aspect of he Spanish note it is not neces-
sary to speak further now Firm in the
convictiin of a wholly performed obliga-
ton, due response to this charge has been
made in diplomatic issues. throughout all
these horrors and dangers to our own peace
this government has never in any way
abrogatcd Its sovereign prerogative of re-
serving to itself the determination of its
policy and course according o its own high
sense of right and in cOnsonance with the
dearest interests and convictions of our own
people should the prolongation of the strife
SO demand.
The Question OF Recognition.
OF the untried measures there remain
only: Recognition of the Insurgents as bel
!igere ntS; recognition of the independence
of Cuba; neutral Intervention to end the
war by imposing a ratl onal compromise be-
tween the contestants, and Intervention 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 NOR allty
woud be criminal agCre Ssion.
Recognition of the belligerencv of the Gu
ban insurgents has been often canvassed as
a possible, if not inevitabl, step, both in re-
gard to the previous ten years struggle and
during the present war l am not unmind-
full that the two houses of Congress in the
spring of 1896 expressed the opinion by
resOlut on that condition Of
public war existed requiring or justifying
the recognition of a state of belligerency in
Cuba, and during the extra session the SAN
ate voted joint resolution of like import
which however, was not brought to a vote
in the House. In the presence of these
significant expressions of the sentiment of
the legislative branch it behooves the ex-
ecutives to soberly consider the conditions
under which so important a measure must
needs rest for justification. 1t is to be SER
iously considered whether the Cuban insur-
butes of statehood which alone can demand
the recognition of 0elIigerency in its favor
President Grants Views
The wise utterances of President Grant in
his memorable message of December 7,
1875, are signally rele ant to the present
situation in Cuba and it may be wholesome
now to recall them. At that time a ruinous
conflict had for VearS wastad tha