The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-12-11
SUPERIOR. WISCONSIN sHTURDHY,

country 10 establish its authority and re-
store order within the borders Of the is
land; that We could not contemplate an in
definite period for the accomplishment of
this result
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 ex-
pected was that some safe way might be
speedily provided and permanent peace re-
stored. II so CHANGED that the Consdera-
tion of this offer. addressed TO the same
Spanish administration which had declined
the tenders of my predecessor, and which
for more than two years had poured men
and treasure into Cuba in the fruitleSS eff
fort to suppress the revolt, fell TO others.
Between the departure of Gen. 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 as
sassln, 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 there
after TO a new administration under the
leadership of Sagasta.
4 Inc reply to our note was received on
, the 23d day of October. 1t is in the di-
rection of a 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 its desires for peace are just. 1t de
/ clareS that the present Spanish govern
ment is bound by every consideration to a
change of policy that should satisfy the
I 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 present premier, without
halting for any consideration in the path
which in its judgment leads to peace. The
4 military operations. it is said. viii CON
! tinue, but will be humane and conducted
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 in
vesting Cuba with a distinct personality
4 the island will be governed by an execu-
! tive and by a local council or chamber.
reserving to Spain the control of the for
eign relations. the army and navy and the
I judicial administration. To accomplish
this the present government proposes to
modify existing legislation by decree.
leaving the Spanish cortes with the aid
/ of Cuban senators and deputies, to solve
the economic problem and properly dis
! tribute the existing debt.
! In the absence Of 4 declaration of the
/ measures that this government proposes TO
/ take in carrying out its proffer of good Of
I fees it suggests that Spain be left free to
conduct military operations and grant po-
litical reforms, while the United States for
its part shall enforce its neutral obiga-
tionS and cut off the assistance, which, il
is asserted the insurgents receive from
this country.
The supposition of an indefinite pro-
lOngation of the is denied. 1t is
serted that the Western provinces are al
ready well nigh reclaimed; that the plant
ing of cane and tobacco therein has been
. b,t I,,,r of
new and ample reforms very early and
. complete pacitication is hoped for.
Spain Promises AmcIiOrutfon.
4 The immediate ameioratiOn of existing
conditions under the new administration Of
Cuban affairs is predicted and there With
all the disturbance and all occasion for any
change of attitude on the part of the Unit
cd States is obviated.
Discussion of the question Of the inter
national duties and responsibilities Of the
United States, aH Spain understands them.
are presented, with an apparent disposition
TO charge Us with failure i'll this regard.
The charge is without any basis in fact. II
could not have been made if Spain had
been C0gnizant of the constant efforts this
government has made at the cost of nit
lions and by the employment of the admin
istrative machinery OF the nation at com
mand to perform its full duty according to
the law of nations That it has successful
. ly prevented the departure of a single mill
tary expedition or armed vessel from our
shores in violation Of our laws would seem
to be a sufficient answer. But of this as
pect Of the Spanish note it is not necessary
+ to speak further now. Firm in the con
vctiCn of a wholly performed obliga ton
due response to this charge has been made
Z in diplomatic course.
Throughout all these horrors and dan
gers to our own peace this government has
never broken nor even i'll any way abro-
gated its sovereign prerogative of r9serv-
ing to itself the determination of it's policy
and course according to its own high sense
OF right and in CCnSonanCe with the dearest
( interests and convictions of our own people
| should the proiongatiOn of the war 40 de-
/ mand.
OF the untred measures there remain
only: Recognition of the insurgents as
belligerents: recognition of the independ-
ence of Cuba: neutral Intervention to end
the war by imposing rational compro-
mise between the contestants, and inter
ventiOn in favor of one or the other party
| speak not of forCible annexation for
that cannot be thought of. I hat by our
code of morality would be criminal ag-
Grcsson.
Recognition of the belligerency of the
Cuban insurgents has often been can
vasaed-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 of
Congress. in the spring of 1896. expressed
the opinion by concurrent resolution that
a condition of public war existed requir-
ing or juStifying recognition of the state
of beligerency in Cuba. and during the
extra session the Senate voted a Joint res
olution of like import. which however
was not brought to a vote in the House of
Representatives.
In the presence of these significant ex-
pressions of the sentiment of the legisla-
tiyeS branch il hehOOyeS the executive to
soberIy consider the conditions under
which so important a measures must needs
rest for justification. It is to be seriously
considered whether the Cuban insurrec-
tio- possesses beyond dispute the attri-
butes of statehood which alone can de-
maud the recognition Of beligerenCy in
its favor. Possession, i'll short of the es-
Sential qualifications of sovereignty by the
insurgents. and the conduct of the war by
them according to the recognized code Of
war are no less important factors toward
the determination of the problem of bel
ligcrenCy than are the influences and con
sequences Of the struggle upon the in
tCrnal policy of the recognizing state
The utteranCes of President Grant in
his memorable message on Decembsr !,
1873. are signallv relevant to the present
situation in Cuba. and it may be whole
some now to recall them. At that time
a ruinous conflict had for seven years
wasted the neighboring island. During
all those years an utter disregard
Of the laws OF civilized warfare and
of the just demands of humanity,
which called forth expressions of con
demnation from the nations of Chris
tendon continued unabated Desola-
tion and ruin pervaded that productive
region, enormously affecting the COM
merCe of all commercial nations, but that
of the United States more than any other
by reason Il proximity and larger trade
and intercourse. At that juncture Grant
uttered these words which now as then
sum up the elements OF the problem:
Recognition Is ImpracticabIe.
"A recognition of the independence of
Cuba being. in my opinion. impracticable