The herald., 1897-12-07

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 a few days thereafter to a
new administration under the leader
ship Of Sagasta.
THE SPANISH REPLY
The reply to our note was received or
the 22d day of October. 1t is in the direc-
ton Of better understanding. 1t ap-
preciates the friendly purposes of this
government; 1t admits that our country
is deeply affected by the war in Cuba,
and that it's desires for peace are just.
1t declares that the present Spanish gov
ernment is bound by every consideration
to u change OF policy that should sat
isfy the United States and pacify Cuba
within reasonable time. To this end
Spain has decided to put into effect the
political reforms heretofore advocated by
the present premier, without halting for
any consideration in the path which in
It's judgment leads to peace.
The military operations, it is said. will
continue, but will be humane and con-
Quoted with all regard for private rights.
being accompanied by political action
leading to the autonomy of Cuba while
guarding Spanish sovereignty. This, IL
is claimed, will result in investing Cuba
with a distinct personality, the island
to be governed by an executive and by
a local council or chamber. reserving to
Spain the control Of the foreign rela-
tions, the army and navy and the judi
cial administration.
To accomplish this the present gov
ernment proposes to modify existing leg
islation by DEGREES, leaving the Spanish
Cortcs, with the aid of Cuban Senators
and Deputies, to solve the economic
problem and properly distribute the ex-
listing debt.
In the absence Of declaration Of th.
measures that the government proposes
to take in carrying out it's proffer of
good offices, 1t suggests that Spain be
left free to conduct military operations
and grant political reforms, while the
United States, for its part, shall enforce
it's neutral obligations and cut off the
assistance which it is asserted the insur-
gents receive from this country. The
supposition Of an indefinite prolongation
Of the war is denied. 1t is asserted that
the western provinces are already we'll
nigh reclaimed; that the planting OF
cane and tobacco therein has been re-
sumed, and that by force of arms and
new and ample reforms very early and
complete pacification is hoped for.
The immediate amelioration of exist
ing conditions under the new adminis-
tration of Cuban affairs is predicted,
and Herewith oil the disturbance and
60 ~ nI,a ~ fotf IL,
on the part of the United States. Dis
cussion Of the question of international
duties and responsibilities Of the United
States, as Spain understands them, Is
presented, with an apparent disposition
to charge us with failure in this re-
gard. This charge Is without any basis
in fact. 1t could not have been made
if Spain had been cognizant of the con-
stant efforts this government has made
at the cost of millions. and by the en-
ployment of the administrative ma
chinery at the national command to
perform its full duty to the law OF
nations; that it has successfully pre-
vented the departure Of q single mill
tary expedition or armed vessel from
our shores in violation OF our laws, would
seem to be sufficient answer. But on
this aspect OF the Spanish note it is
not necessary to speak further now.
Firm in the conviction of wholly per-
formed obligation, due response to this
charge has been made in diplomatic
issues. Throughout all these horrors
and dangers to our own peace, this gov
ernment has never in any way, abro-
gated it's sovereign prerogative of re-
serving to itself the determination of
its policy and course according to it's
own high sense of right and in conso-
nance with the dearest interests and
convictions Of our own people, should
the prolongation Of the strife SO de-
mand.
RECOGNITION QUESTIONS
OF the untried measures there re-
main only: Recognition of the insur-
gents as belligerents; recognition of the
independence Of Cuba; neutral inter-
vention to end the war by imposing a
rational compromise between the con-
testants and intervention in favor of one
or the other party. speak not of forci-
BILE annexation, for that cannot be
thought Of That, by our code of NOR
ality, would be criminal aggression.
Recognition Of the belligerency of
CUBAN insurgents udS OItcu pecu CdIi-
vassed as possible, If not inevitable
step, both in regard to the previous ten
years struggle and during the present
war. I am not unmindful that the two
Houses of Congress, in the spring of
1896, expressed the opinion by concur
rent resolution that a condition Of pub
lie war existed requiring or justifying
the recognition of state of belliger-
ency in Cuba, and during the extra ses-
sion the Senate voted a joint resolu-
ton Of like import, which, however, was
not brought to vote in the House. In
the presence of these significant ex-
pressions of the sentiment of the legis-
lative branch it behooves the Executive
to soberly consider the conditions under
which SO important a measure must
needs rest for justification. 1t is to be
seriously considered whether the Cuban
insurrectioh possesses beyond doubt
the attributes of Statehood, which alone
can demand the recognition of belliger-
ency in its favor Possession, short of
the essential qualifications of sover-
eighty, by the insurgents and the con-
duct of the war by them according to
the recognized code of warfare are no
less important factors toward the deter
mination of the problem Of belligerency
than are the Influences and conse-
quences Of the struggle upon the inter-
nal policy Of the recognizing state.
The wise utterances of President
Grant in his memorable message Of De-
cember Z, 1875, are signally relevant to
the present situation in Cuba, and it