The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-07


gents; 1t would give the United States
no right to enforce treaties within the
paramount authority of Spain within
the code of war.
Not to Recognize the Insurgents
For this reason I recommend the rec
ogn1tion of the Cuban insurgents as
now unw.se and therefore undesirable.
Should that state become wise as
measure of duty the executive will not
fail in its duty. Action on humanfta-
rian grounds has been frequently sug
gesited and has not failed to receive my
most anxious and earnest consideration.
But should such q step now be taken
when it is apparent that Cancellation
has supervened in the policy of Spain
toward Cuba? A new government has
taken office IN the mother country. 1t
is pledged in advance to the declaration
that all the world cannot hope to main
tain peace in Cuba by the bayonet, that
vague promises. OF, subjugation form no
solution of the problem, that with the
change in commanders must come a
change in the system of warfare for one
in harmony with a system which shall
no longer aim to drive the Cubans to
the horrible alternative of taking to the
cities or succumbing in misery. Re
forms have been instituted in accord
ance with the needs of the island, and
these reforms. while designed to give
full autonomy to the colony and create
virtually entire and separate admins
tration, reserv.ng the sovereignty of
Spain by just distribution of power
and burdens upon a mutual agreement,
affords a fresh expediency.
The first step has been taken in this
honorable path. The policy of cruel ra-
pine and determination, that shocked
the universal sentiment so long, and IN
humanity has been reversed. Now,
through the new commander, clemency
is proffered. Measures have already
been set on foot to relieve the horrors
of starvation. The powers of the Span
ish army, it is said, is not to be used
for devastation and spoilation, but for
the protection of peace and agricultural
pursuits and profitable industries. That
past methods are futile to force a peace
by subjugation is freely admitted. and
that ruin without Cancellation must ev-
itably fail ITO win for Spain the fidelity
of contented dependency.
Cuban Reforms Foreshadowed
DEGREES in application of the foreshad-
owed reforms have already been promul-
gated The fun text of thesa DEGREES
has not been received, but as furnished
in a Geographic summary from our min
lister are: All civil and electoral rights OF
the peninsular Spaniards are, in virtue
of existing Constitutional authority forth
with extended to colonial Spaniards. A
scheme of autonomy has been proclaimed
by decree to become operative at the raItd-
ficatfon of the corteS. 1t constitutes a
Cuban parliament which, with an insular
executive considers and votes upon all
questions eff the island, possessing I'M
limited powers, except as to matters OF
state. war and navy, which the governor
general holds i'm his own authority as the
delegate of the central governm INT. This
is done so as ito enable the governor
general to preserve faithfully the liber-
ties and rights of the colony. 1T has
the right TO propose to the central gov
eminent, Through this encouragement,
notifications of the national charter and
to invite new projects of law or executive
measures in the interest of the colony.
Besides it's local powers, ct is compe-
tent-first, to regulate electoral regisitra-
tion and procedure and prescribe the
qualifications of electors and the manner
of exercising suffrages. Second, ITO or
ganize the courts of justice with native
judges from members of the bar. Third,
to frame THE insular budgst, both as to
expenditures and revenues Ito meet the
Cuban share of the budget, which laiter.
will be fixed by the corItes with the as
sistance of Cuban senators and deputies.
Fourth, ITO take part i'm the negotiations
of the national government which shall
affect Cuban interests Fifth, to accept
or reject commercial treaties, which the
national government may have conclud-
ed without the participation of the Gu
ban government. Sixth, to frame this col
oial tariff. acting in accord with the
peninsular government in scheduling ar
tdoles of mutual commerce between this
mother country and the Cubans. Before
introducing or voting upon bill the
Cuban government or the chambers will