Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1897-12-09

| government and the American people with
the graveSt apprehension. There Is no de-
sire on the part Of our people to profit by
the mlsfortunes Of Spain We have only
the desire to see the Cubans prosperous and
contented. enjoying that measure of self
control which Is the inalienable right Of
man. protected in their right to reap the
benefit of the exhaustless treasures of their
| country.
The offer made by my predecessor in
April 1886, rendering the friendly oflces Of
the government failed. Amy mediation on
our part was not accepted In brief, the
answer read: There is no effectual way to
pacify Cuba unless 1t begins with the actual
submission of the rebels to the mother"
Then only could Spain act In the promised
direction of her own motion and after her
own plans
The cruel policy of concentration was in
itiated February 49, 1896. This policy the
late cabinet Of Spain 1ustined as neces-
sary measure of war and as means of cut
ting off supplies from the insurgents. It has
utterly failed as war measure. It was
not civilized warfare. 1t was extermina-
tiOn. Against this abuse of the rights Of
war have felt constrained on repeated &C.
casions to enter the firm and earnest pro-
test of this government
SPANS 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 SPAN 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 might be speed
lily provided and permanent peace
restored. Between the departure
of General Woodford. the new
envoy, and his arrival in Spain the
statesman who had shaped the policy of has
country fell by the hand of an assassin, and
although the cabinet of the late premier
still held ONCE 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
Esd day of October. It Is In the direction Of
better understanding. It appreciates the
friendly purposes of this government. It
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
emit Spanish government is bound by every
consideration to a change of policy that
should satisfy the United States and paclfy
Cuba within reasonable time To this
end Spain has decided to put into effect
the political reforms heretofore advocated
by the present pre- mier, without hating for
any consideration in the path which in its
judgm ent leads to peace, The military OPP
creations, 1t Is said will continue. but will be
humane and conducted with all regard for
private rights, being accompanied by polit-
zeal action leading to the autonomy of Cuba
while guarding Spanish sovereignty. This,
1t is claimed, will result in investing Cuba
with distinct personality; the island to be
governed by an Executive and by local
council or chamber reservingto 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 assistance which, 1t Is asserted, the
insurgents receive from this country. The
superstition 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 ofinternational
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 Repudlated.
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 violation of our laws would
seem to be a sufficient answer But of this
aspect of the Spanish note tits not neces-
sary to speak further now Firm in the
convicti4n of 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
abrogated Its sovereign prerogative of re-
| serving to itself the determination of its
policy and course accordingtO its own high
sense of right and in cOnsonance with the
| dearest interests and convictions of our own
people should the prolongatlon of the strife
so demand
The Question OF Recognition.
OF the untried measures there remain
only: Recognition of the insurgents as bel
| llgerents; recognition of the independence
of Cuba; neutral Intervention to end the
war by imposing ratl Onal compromise be-
| tween the contestants, and Intervention In
favor of one or the other party. 1 speak not
| of forcible annexation, for that cannot be
thought of. That by our code of NOR allty
would be criminal aggression
Recognition of the belligerency of the Gu
ban insurgents has been often canvassed as
possible if not inevitable 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
concurrent resolution that a condition Of
public war existed requiring or tustifying
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 IMPRESSIONS OF the sentiment Of
the legislative branch It behooves the ex-
ecutives to soberly consider the conditions
under which so impOrta ant a measure mus
needs rest for Justification. It is to be ser.
iously considered whether the Cuban insur-
rection possesses beyond dispute the attri,
butes OF statehood which alone can demand
the recognition of belligerency in its favor
President Grants Views.
The wise utterances of President Grant IL
his memorable message of December 7
1875, are slgnally relevant to tue presen