The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-12-07
AN ABLE DOCUMENT.
centlnnea from s,enna pags.

anu the states on INC racine pehseN
through the waters which wash the
shores OF Cuba The exercise Of this
supervision could scarce fall to lead, If
Hit 10 abuse, certainly 10 collisions
perllous 10 the peaceful relations OF the
Two states There can be little doubt as
TO what result such supervision would
before long draw this nation. II would
be unworthy OF the United states to in
augurate the possibilities OF such re-
suit, by measures of questionable tigIt
or expediency, or by any indiscretlon'"
OTHER THINGS TO REMEMBER.
Turning to the practical aspects OF a
recognition OF belllserency and review
ing It's Inconvenience and positive
dangers, still further pertinent eonsld-
erations appear In the code of ma
lions there Is no such thing as n naked
recognition of belligerency unaecom-
panied by the assumption OF interna'
tlonal neutrality. Such recognition
without more will not confer upon eitii-
er party to domestic conflict status
not heretofore actually possessed or al
feet the relation of either party 20 9th
or states The act Of recognition usual
ly takes the form of a. solemn proela-
nation of neutrality which relates the
de faeto condition OF belligerency as
it's motive. It announces domestic
law OF neutrality In the declaring state.
II assumes the International obllga-
lions OF neutral IN the presence OF a
public state OF war 1t warns all citl7
zens and Others within the jurisdiction
OF the proclaimant that they violate
those rigorous obligations NJ their own
peril and cannot expect to be shielded
from the consequences. The right OF
visit and search on the seas and SELF
ure of vessels and cargoes and contra
bland OF war and good prize under adj
+, miralty law must under international
law. ba admitted as legitimate edhse-
uuence of a proclamation OF bell'per-
ency. White according the equal bel
llserent rights defined by public law 70
each marty In our ports disfayors would
be imposed on both which, while noml-
nally equal, would weigh heavily IN be-
half of Spain herself, Possessing
navy and controlling the ports OF CUBA
her maritime rights could be asserted
not only for the military investment OF
the island, but up to the margin OF our
own territorial waters, and a condition
az things would exist for which the GU
bans within their own domain could nor
hone 10 create q parallel; While us
creation through aid or sympathy from
within our domain would be even more
impossible than now, with the oual-
tionai obligations Of International heu-
trality we would perforce assume
me enforcement Of this enlarged ana
onerous code OF neutrality would Only
be influential within our own 1urisdic-
tion BIZ land and sen. and applicable ny
our own instrumental les. II could I'M
mart 10 the United States no jurisdiction
between Spain and the insurgents, ~
would give the United States no risht
OF Intervention to enforce the coAahet
OF the strife within the paramount au-
thortty OF SpasR according 10 the h"-
ternational code OF war
For these reasons, regard the recoS-
= milton of the bellgerencS of the CUBAN
Insurgents as now unwise and there
fore inadmissibte. Should that step
hereafter be deemed wise us measure
Of right and duty, the executive VIII
take 1t.
INTERVENTION ON HuMANlTA-
RIAN GROUNDS,
Intervention upon humanitarian
grounds has been frequently suggested
and has not failed to receive my most
anxious and earnest consideration. But
should such a step be now taken when
It is apparent that hopeful change
has supervened In the policy OF Spain
toward Cuba? a new government mas
taken office IN the mother country II
Is pledged In advance to the declaration
that all the effort IN the world cannot
suffice to maintain peace In Cuba by
tbe bayonet; that vague promises Of
reform after subjugation afford no So
luton OF the insular problem; that with
n substitution OF commanders must
come a change of the past system or
warfare for one In harmony with new
policy which shall no longer aim TO
drive the Cubans to the horrible alter
native of taking to the thiclSet or sue
cumbing in misery" that reforms must
be instituted In accordance with the
needs and circumstances OF the Tine.
and that these reforms, WINE heslEheu
TO give autonomy to the colony ana 10
create a virtual entity and self con-
troiled administration, shall yet con.
serve and affirm the sovereignty OF
Spain by q Just distribution of powers
and burdens upon q basis of mutual
interest uutalnted by methods of seluhh
expediency
The Arsl acts OF the new government
lie in these honorable paths The policy
OF cruel raplne and determination that
so long shocked the universal sentiment
Of humanity has been reversed. Under
the new military commander n broad
elemency Is proffered. Measures nave
already been set on foot To- relieve the
horrors OF starvation. The power or
the Spanish armies. II Is asserted. 10 TO
be used not 20 spread ruin and desotd-
h4 N n a
peacefli agricultural pursuits ana pro-
ductive industries. That past methods
are futile 10 force d peace by subJugn-
tIon is freely admitted and that ruin
without Cancellation must Inevitably
fall to win for Spain the fidelity of C0n-
tended dependency
THE SCHEME OF AUTONOMY.
DEGREES in application OF the fore
Swallowed reforms have already been
promulgated. The full text Of these do
orees has not been received, but as fur
hlshed in telegraphlc summary from
our minister are: All civil and electoral
rights Of penlnslllnr Spnnlards are, in
virtue OF existing constitutional nu-
thority, forthwith extended TO colonial
ppauiards, A scheme OF autonomy has
been proclaimed by Decree to become
effective upon ratification by the Coriea,
II creates n Cuban parliament, which,
with the iHsular executive. can con-
slider and vote upon ali subjects Affect
Ing local order and interests, possesR-
ing unlimited powers, save as 10 mat
terB Of state. war and the navy, hs TO
which the governor general asB by
his own authority MS the delegate OF The
central government The parliament
receives the oath Of the governor gen"
eral TO preserve faithfully the liberties
and nrlYllnEeA OF tho rninnN. nhd 90 iL