The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1897-12-11

losses it entails, the burdens and restraints
II imposes upon us, with constant dis
jury resulting from an indefinite contin-
uance of this state of things. Ii was stated
tnat at ms JuneInre our goyernment was
was not ripe when Spain OF her own Volt
ton, moved by her own interests and every
sentiment OF humanity, should put a stop
to. this destructive war and make pro-
posals of settlement honorable TO herself
and just TO her Cuban colony. II was urged
that as neighboring nation, with large in
terests in Cuba. We could be required TO
wait only reasonable time for the mother
country to establish its authority and re.
that we could not contemplate as indefi-
mite period for the accomplishment of this
| result.
No Humiliation Suggested.
No solution was proposed to which the
slightest idea of humiliation TO Spain
could attach, and indeed precise proposals
that government. All that was asked
| or expected was that some safe way might
be speedily provided and permanent peace
restored. 1t so CHANGED that the consider
| alton of this OFFER addressed to the same
Spanish administration which had declined
the tenders Of my predecessor, and which S
and treasure into Cuba in the fruitless eff
fort TO suppress the revolt fell TO others.
ford, the new envoy, and his arrival in
| Spain, the statesman who had shaped the
policy of his country fell by the hand OF an
late premier still held Office and received
| from our envoy the proposals he bore. that
cabinet gave place within few days there
! after TO new administration under the
| leadership OF Sagasta.
Spain Promises Much.
The reply TO our note was received on the
| 23d day OF October. II is in the direction of
a better understanding: II appreciates the
| admits that our country is deeply affected
| by the war in Cuba, and that its desires
present Spanish government is bound by
! every consideration to a change Of policy
| that. should satisfy the United States and
| pacify Cuba within reasonable time.
| To this end Spain has decided to put into
! effect the political reforms heretofore ad-
| yoeated by the present premier without
| which in it's Judgment leads to peace The
| military operations ii is said viii continue
| but will he humane and conducted with all
| regard for private rights being accom-
| panied by political action leading TO the
| autonomy OF Cuba while guarding Spanish
| sovereignty. This. ii is claimed. will result
! in investing Cuba with a distinct person
| ality: the island 10 he governed by an eX-
ecutive and by local council or chamber.
| reserving TO Spain the control Of the for
| cign relations, the army and navy and the
| judicial administration. To accomplish
modify existing legislation by decree, leay-
ing the Spanish cortcs, with the aid Of
Cuban senators and deputies TO solve the
economic problem and properly distribute
| the existing debt. In the absence OF =
declaration OF the measure that this gov-
eminent proposes to take in carrying out
Spain be left free 70 conduct military
operations and grant political reforms,
while the United States, for its part. shall
enforce It's neutral obligations and cut on
the assistance which IL is asserted the in
surEents receive from this country The
supposition OF an indefinite prolor ton Of
the war is denied. 1t is asserted that the
western provinces are already well-nich re-
claimed that the planting of cane and to-
Dacco therein has been resumed, and that
by force of arms and new and ample re-
forms very early and complete paciiication
is hoped for.
Have Not Failed in Our Duty.
The immediate amelioration Of existing
conditions under the new administration
of Cuban affairs is predicted, and Herewith
all the disturbance and all occasion for
any change of attitude on the part of the
United States. Discussion Of the question
of the international duties and responsible
tiles Of the United States, as Spain under
| stands them, is presented, with an anpar-
ent disposition to charge US with failure in
| this regard. This charge is without any
| basis in fact. 1t could not have been made
| If Spain had been coGnizant, OF the, con-
slant efforts this government has made, at
| the cost OF millions and by the employment
| of the administrative machinery Of the ma
ton That 1t has succeSsfuilX prevented
dition or armed vessel from our shores in
violation OF our laws would seem 10 be
sufficient answer But of this aspect OF
speak further now. Firm in the conviction
Of a wholly performed obligation. due re-
Spouse 10 this charge has been made In dip
throughout all these horrors and dangers
TO our own peace this governme MT has
never broken or in any way abrogated its
sovereign prerogative of reserving 10 itself
the determination of its policy and course
according TO its own high sense OF rlGht ana
in consonance with the dearest interests
and convictions of our own people should
the prolongation Of the strife so demand.
The untricd Measures.
OF the untried measures there remain
only; Recognition o. the insurg5sn n,,a, as
ence of cuba, neutral intervention 10 end
the war by imposing rational compromise
between the contestants, and intervention
in favor Of one or the other party. speak
not Of forcihle annexation, for that can.
not be thought OF. That by our COD" OF
morality would be criminal aggression.
Recognition of Insurgents.
Recognition of the bell!gerency Of the
Cuban insurgents has often been can
vassed q a possible If not inevitable step
both in regard TO the previous, ten years
struggle, and during the present war am
not unmindful that the two houses or con-
gress in the spring Of 1886 expressed the
opinion by concurrent resolution that
or justify!ng the recognition Of the state Of
belligerency in Cuba. and during the eX-
ton Of like import, which. however, was
not brought TO vote in the house of repre-
sentatlveS. In the presence OF these sig
nificant expressions OF the sentiment Of the
legislative branch, 1t behooves the eXecu-
tive TO soberly consider the conditions UNI
der which so important a measure must
needs rest for justification. 1t Is to he
seriously considered whether the Cuban
insurrection possesses beyond dispute the
attributes of statehood, which alone de-
mand the recognition of beiigerency in its
favor. Possession, in short, of the es-
sential qualifications of sovereignty by the
| insurgents and the conduct OF the war by
them according to the received code OF
| war are no less important factors toward
| the determination of the problem OF bell
| ligerency than are the influences and con-
| sequences of the struggle upon the internal
| policy OF the recognizing state.
Quotes President Grant.
The utterances of President Grant In his
memorable message of December Z, 1875.
| are signally relevant to the present situa-
| ton IN Cuba and 1t may be wholesome now
| 10 recall them. At that time a runous
| conflict had for seven years wasted the
| neighboring island. Durine,all those years
| an utter disregard of the laws of civilized
| warfare and of the just demands Of hui
| manity, which called forth expressions of
| condemnation from the nations of chris
tendon continued undated Desolation
| and ruin pervaded that productive region.
| enormously affecting the commerce OF ali
commercial nations. but that of the United
L