The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-10

LOSSES IL entalS, the burdens and restraints
turbance OF national interests and the I'm
Jury resulting from an indefinite contin-
uance OF this state Of things. 1t was stated
constrained to seriously inquire II the time
Was not ripe when Spain OF her own volj-
s lion; moved by her own interests and every
sentiment or humanity, should put q stop
to this destructive war and make pro-
posa!s of settlement honorable to hersAlf
and Just to her Cuban colony. 1t was urged
terests In Cuba, we could be required 10
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
No Humiliation Suggested.
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
or expected was that some safe way might
be speedily provided and permanent peace
restored. IT SO CHANGED that the consider
Of ths SeS to The
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. Wood
Iord, the new envoy, and his arrival In
Spain, the statesman who had shaped the
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 few days there
after to new administration under tho
leadership of Sagasta.
Spain Promises Much.
The reply to our note was received on the
2Sd day of October. :, 1t is In the direction of
friendly purposes of this government. 1t
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 q 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 Its Judgment leads to peace. The
military operations it Is said will continue
but viii be humane and conducted with all
panied by political action leading. to the
autonomy OF Cuba while guarding Spanish
sovereignty. This. 1t is claimed, will result
IN investing Cuba with distinct person.
ality; the island to be governed by an ex-
ecutive and by a local council or chamber,
reserving to Spain the control CT the for
judicial administration. To accomplish
this the present government proposes to
modify existing legislation by decree, leav-
Cuban senator's and deputies to solve the
economic problem and properly distribute
the existing debt In the absence of a
eminent proposes to take in carrying out
its proffer of good offices 1t suggests that
Spain be left, free to conduct military
while the United States. for its part shall
oiirUrce frs ncurruI Vp1isulrUir5 u vi.
the assistance which It is. asserted the in
supposition Of an indefinite prolongation OF
the war is denied. 1t IS asserted that the
western PROVINCES are already well,nigh re-
pacco therein has been resumed, and that
by force of arms and new and ample re-
forms very early and complete pacification
is hoped for.
lave Not Failed in Our Duty.
conditions under the new administration
of Cuban affairs is predicted, and Herewith
all the disturbance and all occasion for
United States. Discussion Of the question
Of the international duties and responsible
tiles of the United States, as Spain under
Is - With In
this regard. This charge is without any
basis in fact. It could not have been made
Spain nad 6een cognxahf b OF made ne al
the cost Of millions and by the employment
of the administrative machinery Of the ma
ton. That 1t has successfully prevented
the departure Of q single military expe-
dition or armed vessel from our shores In
violation of our laws would seem to be a
sufficient answer. But of this aspect OF
the Spanish note ii is not necessary to
speak further now. Firm In the conviction
of wholly performed obligation, due re-
Spouse to this charge has been made In dip
throughout all these horrors and dangers
to our own peace this government has
never broken or In any way abrogated It's
sovereign prerogative of reserving to itself
the determination of it's policy and course
according to its own high sense OF right and
in consonance with the dearest interests
and convictions OF our own people snoulu
the prolongation of the strife so demand.
The untricd Measures.
or the untried measures there remain
only: Recognition or the insurgsnts as
belligerents; recognition or the indepenu,,
ence of Cuba, neutral intervention 10 eile
between the contestants, and intervention
in favor Of one or the other party, speak
not be Thought of. That by our code OF
morality would be criminal aggression.
Recognition of Insurgents.
Recognition of the belligerency of the
Cuban insurgents has bften been cam
vassed as q 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 1896 expressed the
opinion by concurrent resolution that
condition of public war existed, requiring
or justifying the recognition of the state OF
belligerency In CUBA, ana during the eN-
ira session the senate voted a joint resolu-
ton of like import, which, however, was
not brought TO q vote in the house of repre-
In the % Of these sig
legislative branch. 1t behooves the execu-
tive to soberly consider the conditions UNI
der which so important measure must
needs rest for justification. 1t is TO- be
seriously considered whether the Cuban
insurrection possesses beyond dispute the
attributes Of statehood, which alone de-
mand the recognition of belligerency In it's
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
than are the influences and con-
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 II may he wholesome now
to recall them. At that time ruinous
conflict had for seven years wasted the
neighboring island. Duringtall 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. Des3lation
and ruin pervaded that productive region,
enormously affecting the commerce OF all
commercial nations, but that of the United
States more than any other by reason of
proximity and larger trade and intercourse.
hak Ssrxx. ,.sA