The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1897-12-10
The Dons Make sie promises.

of a better understanding. IL appreciates
the friendly purposes of this government.
1t admits that our country Is deeply af-
fected by the war I'm Cuba and that it's
desires for peace are Just. 1t declares that
tho present Spanish government Is bound
by every consideration to a change of pol
icy that should satisfy the United States
and pacify Cuba within a reasonable
put into effect the political reforms hereto
fore advocated by the present premier,
without hating for any consideration In
the path which in its Judgment leads 10
peace. The military operations, IL is said,
will continue, but will be humane and
conducted with all regard for private
rights, being accompanied by political ac-
ton leading to the autonomy of Cuba,
while guarding Spanish sovereignty. This,
1t is claimed, Will result in investing Cuba
with distinct personality; the island TO
be governed by an executive and by
local council or chamber. reserving TO
Spain the control of the foreign relations,
the army and navy and the judicial adj
ministration. To accomplish this the pres
ent government proposes to modify eX-
listing legislation 10y, decree, leaving the
Spanish cortes, with the aid of Cuban
senators and deputies to solve the eco
nomic 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 proffer of good
offices Is suggests that Spain be left free
TO conduct military operations and grant
political reforms, while the United States,
for its part, shall enforce its neutral OBJ
legations and cut of the aSsis tance which
it is asserted the insurgents receive from
this country. The suppositton of an in
definite prolongation Of the war is denied.
II is asserted that the western provinces
are already well nigh reclaimed; that the
planting of cane and tobacco therein has
been resumed, and that, by force of arms
and new and ample reforms, very early
and complete pachcaton is hoped for.
The immediate ameloration of existing
conditions under the new administration
of Cuban affairs is predicted, and that
without the disturbance and all occasion
for any change of attitude on the part of
the United States.
Charges Against Uncle sam.
Discussion of the question of the inter-
national duties and responsibilities of the
United States as Spain understands them
is presented. with an apparent disposition
! to charge us with failure in this regard
| This charge is without any basis in fact.
| 1t could not have been made If Spain had
| been cognizant of the constant efforts this
! government has made at the cost Of mil
lions, and by the employment of the adj
| minlstrative machinery OF the nation at
| command to perform its full duty, ac-
| cording TO the law Of nations. That IL
| has successfully prevented the departure
! of a single military expedition or armed
vessel from our shores IN violation of our
! laws would seem to be a sufficient an
! swer. But of this aspect of the Spanish
! note IL Is not necessary to speak further
now. Firm i'm the conviction of a wholly
| performed obligation, due response TO this
! charge has been made In diplomatic
| course. Throughout all these horrors and
| dangers TO our own peace this govern
ment has never i'm any way abrogated its
sovereign prerogativo of reserving to it.
| self the determination of its policy and
| course, according to its own high sense
| OF right and in consonance with the dear
| est interests and convictions of our own
people. should the prolongation of the
strife so demand.
Recognition OF BeIIigcrency Unwisc.
OF the untried measures there remain
only: Recognition of the insurgents as
befligerents; 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. speak not of forcible annexa-
ton. for that cannot be thought Of That
by our code OF morality would be Grim
inal aggression.
Recognition OF the belligerency of the
cuban insurgents has often been can
vassed as a 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 of
congress, in the spring of 1896. expressed
the opinion by concurrent resolution that
q condition of public war existed reuuir-
ing or lnsuiying the recognition Of state
OF bel!iSerency in Cuba and during the
| extra session the senate voted a Joint res
I olution of like import which however
was not brought 10 a vote in the house
| OF representatives. In the presence of
these significant expressions OF the senti-
ment of the legislative branch Il behooVes
the executive TO soberly. consider the con-
| uitlonS under which so important a meas
! ure must needs rest for justification. II
| IS 10 he seriously considered whether the
! Cuban insurreCtion possesses beyond dis
| pute the attributes of statehood which
| alone can demand the recognition of bel
/ ligerency In its favor Possession. in
snort, OF the essential qualifications OF
/ sovereignty by the insurgents, and the
! conduct of the war by them according TO
! the received code OF war. are not less i'm
| portant factors toward the determination
! of the problem of belligerency than are
| the influences and consequences of the
| struggle upon the internal polity of the
recognizing state
The wise utterances of President Grant
| in his memorable message OF December Z,
| 1870, are signally relevant to the present
situation In Cuba. and 1t may be whole
| ruinous conflict had for seven years
| wasted the neighboring island. During
! all those years an utter disregard of civil
! lized warfare and of the just demands of
/ humanity which called for the express
| slons Of condemnation from the nations OF
! Christendom. continued undated. Desc
iation and ruin pervaded that productive
! region enormously affecting the COM
merce ~ all commercial nations, but that
! of the United States more than any other
! by reason OF proximity and larger trade
| and intercourse. At that juncture Gen.
| Grant uttered these words, which now
as them sum up the elements of the prob.
| lem:
Gen. Grants Views.
"a recognition of the independence of
| Cuba being. in my opinion, impracticable
| and indefensible, the question which next
! presents itself is that OF the recognition OF
! belhgerent rights In the parties to the
contest. In q former message j had occa-
| sion to consider this question, and reached
the conclusion that the conflict I'm Cuba.
| dreadful and devastating as were its incl
| dents did not rise to the fearful dignity
! of war IL is possible that the acts OF
| foreign powers, and even acts of Spain
! herself, of this very nature might be
| pointed to In defense of such recognition
| But now, as in it's past history, the
| United States should carefully avoid the
false lights which might lead II into the
mazes of doubtful law and of question
! able propriety, and adhere rigidly and
! sternly to the rule, which has been its
| guide of doing only that which Is right
! and honest and OF good report.
! 1.-THE question of according or OF with
I holding rights of belligerency must be
| judged in every case, in view of the par
| ticu,ar attending facts. Unless justified
| by necessity. IL is always and justly, re-
| garded as an unfriendly act and gratui-
| tous demonstration Of moral support to
| the rebellion. Ii is necessary, and IL Is re-
quired, when the interests and rights Of