The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-12-07

intervention to enforce the conduct of
the strife within the paramount author
ity of Spain, according to the interna-
tional code of war. For these reas-
ons," said the President, Il regard the
recognition of the belligerency of the
Cuban insurgents as now unwise, and
therefore inadmissible. Should that step
hereafter be deemed wise as a measure
of right and duty, the Executive will
take it."
The President then discusses the ques-
ton of intervention upon humanitarian
grounds, and he asks whether this step
should be taken when it is apparent
chat hopeful change has supervened in
the policy of Spain towards Cuba. He
recalls that the new Spanish govern
ment has pledged itself to reform and
an abandonment of the bayonet policy
alone, and finds that the first acts of
the new government lie in these hon
rable paths The policy of cruel rapine
and determination that has so long
shocked the universal sentiment of hui
mainly has been reversed. Broad Gle
mency is prOffered; measures have been
taken to relieve the horrors of starva-
ton.
he power of the Spanish armies, ii
is asserted, is to be used, not to spread
hin and desOlatiOn. but to protect the
assumption of peaceful agricultural pur-
suits and productive industries. That
)ast methods are futile to force a peace
~ subjugation is freely admitted, and
hat ruin without Cancellation must in
yitably fail to win for Spain the fidel-
ty Of a contented dependency.
DEGREES in application of the fore.
Swallowed reforms have already been
promulgated.
THE PLAN OF SAGASTA.
The President describes the reform
olicy of the Spanish government as tC
}uba, as has already been set out in
ne press, and says:
That the government of Sagasta has
Inferred upon a course from which re
ession with honor is impossible car
,ardly be questioned; that in the few
weeks it has existed it has made ear
rest of the sincerity of it's professions
g undeniable. | shah not impugn its
;:ncerity, nor should impa tience be suf
cred to embarrass it in the task it has
Undertaken. 1t is honestly due to Spai
md to our friendly relations with
Spain that she should be given a reas
aablp chance to realize her eXpecta
ions and TO prove the asserted efficacy
f the new order of things to which she
lands irrevOcably committed. She has
scalled the commander whose brutal
riders inhamed the American mind and
ac'rd the civilized World. She ma,
modified the horrible order OF concen-
ration and has undertaken to care for
he HELPLESS and permit those who de-
ire to resume the cultivation of their
ields to do so and assures them of the
protection of the Spanish government
n their lawful occupations She has
inst released the competitor prison
ers, heretofore sentenced to death, and
who have been the subject of repeated
diplomatic correspondence during both
this and the preceding administration.
Not a single American citizen is now
in arrest or confinement in Cuba of
whom this government has any knowl-
edge. The near future will demonstrate
whether the indispensab bic condition of
righteous peace, just alike to the
Cubans and to spain, as well as equita-
bic to all our interests, so intimately in
volyed in the welfare of Cuba. is likely
10 Bp dlldlHeu. II NOT, Tne eXlSeHcV OF
further and other action by the United
States will remain to be taken. When
that time comes that action will be de-
termined in the line of indisputable
right and duty. 1t will be faced, with
out misgiving or hesitancy in the light
Of the obligations this government owes
itself, to the people who have confded
to it the protection of their interests
and honor, and to humanity.
Sure of the right, keeping free from
all offenses ourselves, actuated only by
upright and patriotic considerations,
moved neither by passion nor selfshness,
the government will continue it's watch
full care over the rights and property of
American citizens, and will abate none
of its efforts to bring about by peace
full agencies peace which shall be hon
orabIe and enduring. If it shall hereaf-
ter appear to be duty imposed by our
obligations to ourselves, to civilization
and humanity TO intervene with force, it
shall be without fault ON our part, and
CONTINUED on third page)