New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-31
TAYLOR on THE CUBAN QUESTION
THE EX-MINISTER SAYS THE UNITED
STATES MUST SETTLE 1T.

Hannis TAYLOR who has Just returned from Spain,
where for the last four years he has been the
American Minister. has contributed to the Nov'm-
Der number OF The North American Review,
which viii be published tomorrow. an elaborate
review Of the present aspects Of the Cuban qucs-
ton IN the Hight OF his special experience and
observation. The Cuban question cannot be set
tied by Spain ,Ir Taylor contends: II must be
settled by the people Of the United States.
I'm the light of these facts" he says. II deem
II my duty lay before my countrymen my num-
bic testimony upon she whole subjcct-matter In
tho hone that the same may aid them IN taking
wise and lust action in the premises SO far as
7 know no one has ever charged me with lack
Of pa,ierce or moderation in the midst OF the try
ing scenes through which | have passed and
bear cheerful testimony to the fact that the span
,sh people have treated throughout with per-
feet respect"
Turning TO tho economic aspect OF the Cuban
question Mr. Taylor calls attention 10 the fact
tina, cuba has always been regarded by SPAN SIM
ply as a place to be- p.undcr'd and ensiaveh' her
Unconventional. the head o. he olgarchy OF her
spanish rulers takes from her treasury. "a com
pensat!on civil and military sum nearly twice as
grea, as the pay II tho President Of the United
States and the cconomc laws applied to her are
devised not In her interest but in that o. the manu-
facturers Of Catalonia. in that TACT Hes the &C.
scnco o. the Cuban question. Though an analysis
or Cuban commerce. Mr. Taylor shows that cuba
ants depend for existence upon proceeds q that
industry IN the days when the sugar % com
merce vas made from cane only cuba was com
paraively Independent. because the markets o, me
world were open to her. But when sugar made o.
bceis came into competition With that made Of
cane her true horizon began 20 narrow. ana mat
process has gone on until with the exception OF a
small quantity sod 70 spain herself. Cuban sugars
have been driven from every market IN Europe.
The only remaining marie 1r hcr single crop T.
he
Cuban producer g. seen 10 he g-ound between the
upper and the neither nj lsione. cuba must sell her
tariff may dry be mad prohibtory wnilc hy
country she is forced 20 send large part 4 her
income ihus derived 20 SPAIN. 10 pGr mas ~ y
loss Spanish proi''i"i mAhtii' lui'~ -i'y 'hi@
condition was son"~h nat miigai"i ~ the r. proc
/ " arrangements wI:h nc United states ana me
economic crisis that i5IoW'i ih"F rApiA';on III
August. ~ pr.cp.'atct me pr"s.ni Fcyolnii n
publication. has stated that tne present revolt was
increased IN mnEni'uI" Owing To- the great mum.
Wien therefore" says Mr.. Tailor w arrive
present revolution. discover that the rising
really grew ont Of q sirussI. FOR oFcad-h struSg"
world. produced in the main by economic laws
enacted by the Parliament Of the mother country.
! morce 81 a colony Is possession which the parent
state has riTht to manipulate in it, own Interest
therefore, plain that II the whole fabric OF political
ana military oppression under which cuba IS now
dying could be removed at blow. tho great eco
nome difficulty would still remain. suficent In II
sclf to make her desert unlrss me powrr 10
as In all the great English colonies from the home
Parliament to n Cuban legislature
/ Since the death OF Canovas. II has been deter
mined that Weyler Is 10 be superseded In cuba by
| Ulanco MIR TAYLOR however expresses the opin-
ion that this cannot mean any change in the essen
7 tal policy Of Spain toward cuba. For. even II
Srhor Sagasta were willing to attempt to settle the
war bv liberal grant Of self government to cuba
the Spanish nation as Il whole. woud promptly
repudiaie such a grant "The truth is, says MI
I Taylor. that Spanish Statesmen have no clear
conception Of the real meaning Of IN" term auto
omous government. and the Spanish people are al
most "A unit IN their resolve to lose cuba by force
Of rather than permit such a concession TO b"
made. Therefore. have said Spanish statesman
ship is impotcnt TO solve the pending problem: II
dss se'SPd the 6nd more OF haS
the useless sacrihce OF human life and me utter
Aict Itself In the presence OF the final issue Of
death and destruction thus sharply presented by
take counsel ar to their moral and legal rights in
the premises under those incOntestabe principles
In APPROACHING the consideration of the question
what Inc duty OF the United States Is In these cir
torical Incidents through which The Monroe Doc
trne has secured an established place In inter.
cleVeIands Messaec to he second session OF the
LIVE When tSa Inability Of spain to dca successfully
with the instruction has become manifest. and II
Cuba for all purposes OF Its rightful existence and
when a hopeless struggle for i,s re-cstablishment
more than the useless sacrifice OF human life and
the utter destruction OF the very subject matter oil
the conflict, a situation will be presented In which
our obligations to the sovereign OF Spain will he
superse seeded by higher obligations. which car
hardly hesitate TO recognize and discharge"
Mr.. Taylor strenuously insists that this contin-
gency, so clearly pointed out, has become an ac'
lor says, us the prompt adoption by Congress
upon its reassemblIng. OF Joint resolution. EN-
bodying three clear and definite propositOns The
first asserting right and duty not only to our
selves but humanity. by virtue OF the univer
az by virtue Of the Monroe Doctrine. to put enc
10 the dreadful conflict so long raging In Cuba. be
cause il involves not only the constant disturbance
OF our Internal peace but also the destruction Of
great commercial and property interests of ou
citizens the second asserting that. after enduring
patiently all such evils incident TO fifteen years OF
war in Cuba out of the last twenty mine the Gov
It's friendly Offices peacemaker TO Spain In hops
OF aiding her without offence to her eptbilities
IN bringing a close strife 20 destructive to TN
material interests OF both countries: the third. de
claring that the Government OF the United States
In View OF SPANS refusal to accept such friendly
and respectful mediation. has now resolved to cx
crcise upon responsibility Its entire mora
influence 10 the end that the in Cuba MAJ
DO brought to a speedy close provided Spain fall
to accomplish that result In reasonable time 4
be clearly indicated
III" SAYS Mr.. Taylor Spain should resolve 4
resist our moral authority In the matter. she cou
do no more than suspend diplomatic relations; tn
passage Of such resolution as has been indicated
could not be Justly regarded casus belli AM
yet It would be surely fatal IN Its results II wou'
= 20 completely hit the mark that the fierce bird o
prey that is whetting Its beak upon the vlfnl
OF Cuba would fall from Its perch pierced tho -Sl
J and thron1h"