The National tribune., 1897-12-09

| Hy III Ills recommendation that National
| banks be allowed to issue notes to the face
value OF the bonds which they have depos-
| ited ior circulation, and that the tax on
| circulating notes secured by deposit OF
| Such bonds be reduced to one half OF one
per cent. per annum. | also Join him in
recommending that authority be given for
! the establishment of National banks with
a minimum capital of $4,000 This will
enable the smaller villages and agricul-
tural regions OF the country to be supplied
WIN currency to meet their needs
| recommend that the issue OF National
Dank notes be restricted to the denomina-
| tlOn OF $40 and upward. If the suggestions
L nave herein made shall have the APP
| prevail OF Congress, then | would recon-
| memo that National banks be required to
| redeem their notes in gold
AS To CUBA.
The President makes complete histori-
cal review of the Cuban war in which he
dlspassionately but unhesitatingly char
acterlzes SPANS course as contrary to the
usages OF civilized warfare. Coming down
to recent events he says:
The instructions given to our new Minis
ter 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 peaceful
and lasting result, iustand honorable alike
to Spain and to the Cuban people. These
instructions recited the character and du-
ration OF the contest, the widespread losses
it entails, the burdens and restraints it
imposes upon us, with constant disturb
| ance of National interests, and the injury
resulting from an indefinite continuance
of this state of things. 1t was stated that
| at this juncture our Government was con
| strained TO seriously inquire if the time
was not ripe when Spain of her own volt
nv hnr tF1tn md
! every sentiment Of humanity, should put
stop to this destructive war and make
| proposals OF settlement honorable to her
self and Just to her Cuban colony.
1t was urged that as neighboring Nation
| with large interests in Cuba, we could be
| required to wait only a reasonable time for
| the mother country to establish its au-
| thOrlty and restore peace and order within
| the borders of the Island that we could
not contemplate an indefinite 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
| expected was that some safe way might be
| speedily provided and permanent peace re-
| stored
| 1t so CHANGED that the consideration 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 ruthless effort to
suppress the revolt, fell to others. Be
| tween 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 assassin,
and although the Cabinet of the late Pre-
mier 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.
SPANS REPLY.
The reply TO our note was received on
the I'D day of October. 1t is in the direc-
ton Of a better understanding. 1t appre-
ciates the friendly purposes of this Gov
eminent. 1t admits that our country is
deeply affected by the war in Cuba and
! that its desires for peace are Just. 1t de-
ciareS that the present Spanish Govern
ment is bound by every consideration to a
change OF policy that should satisfy the
United States and pacify Cuba within a
reasonable time. To this end Spain has
decided to put into effect the political re-
forms heretofore advocated by the present
Premier without halting Tor any consider
alton in the path which in its Judgment
leads to peace. The military operations,
1t is said, will continue, but will be hui
name and conducted with all regard for
private rights, being accompanied by polit-
ical action leading to the autOmy of Cuba
while guarding Spanish sovereignty.
This, it is claimed, will result in invest
ing Cuba with 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 relations,
the army and navy and the judicial ad-
miniStratlon.
To accomplish this the present Govern
ment proposes to modify existing legisla-
ton by decree, leaving the Spanish COrtes,
with the aid OF Cuban Senators and Dcpu-
ties, to solve the economic problem and
| properly distribute the existing debt
| In the absence OF a declaration of the
measures that this Government proposes
! to take IN carrying out its profier of good
offices it 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 obi
| cations and cut off the assistance which
! it is asserted the insurgents receive from
| this country.
| The President discusses filibustering and
maintains that we have done our whole
| duty in Suppressing armed expeditions to
| Cuba. Proceeding he says:
OF the untried 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 a rational compro-
mise between the contestants, and inter
vention in favor of one or the other party.
| j speak not OF fOrcible annexation, for that
| cannot be thought Of That by our code
| OF morality would be criminal aggression.
Recognition of the belligerency of the
Cuban insurgents has often been can
vaSsed as possible if not inevitable step
both in regard to the previous 10 years
struggle and during the present war. | am
! not unmndful that the two Houses of Con-
| greSs in the Spring of 1896 expressed the
opinion 10y concurrent resolution that a
condition of public war existed requiring
or justifying the recognition of state of
belligerency in Cuba, and during the extra
session the Senate voted Joint reSolu-
ton of like import, which, however. was
not brought to a vote in the House Of Rep
| resentatives.
In the presence of these significant ex-
| preSSionS of the sentiment of the LegiSla-
| tive 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 con
sidered whether the Cuban Instruction
Possesses beyond dispute the attributes OF
! statehood which alone can demand the
recognition OF belligerency in it's favor.
| Possession, in short, of the essential
qualifications of sovereignty by the in
surgents 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 belliger-
ency than are the influences and conse-
| quences of the struggle upon the internal
| pOiity OF the recognizing State.