Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-07
PRESIDENTS VIEWS.
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PACED

utnt.
Against this abuse OF the rights Of wa
he has felt constrained on repeated oc
casions to enter the firm and earnes
protest of this government. He made in
slant demand for the release OF speed
trial OF all American citizens under ar
rest, and before the change of the Span
ish Cabinet in October last. twenty-five
prisoners. citizens Of the United States
had been given their freedom.
INSTRUCTIONS TO wOODFORD.
The instructions TO Minister Woodfor'
directed him to impress upon the Spanish
Government the sincere wish of th'
United States to lend its aid towards TIT
ending of the war by means OF peaceful
and lasting result, Just and honorable
| alike TO Spain and to the Cuban people
IL was also asked whether Spain, OF bel
own volition, moved by her own Interests
and sentiments OF humanity should moi
make proposals Of settlement. and II was
said that we could not contemplate an
| indefinite period for the accomplishment
| OF this result. No solution was proposed,
| to which the slightest idea Of humiliation
to Spain could attach. All that was asked
or expected was that some safe way
might be speedily provided, and perma-
nent peace restored. The President refers
to the change in the Spanish Cabinet
1.-THE reply to our note was in the di-
rection OF a better understanding 1t APP
preciates the friendly purposes Of this
government II admits that our country
is deeply affected by the Cuban war. IL
declares that the present Spanish Gov
eminent IS bound by every consideration
TO a change of policy that should satisfy
the United States and pacify Cuba within
reasonable time. To this end, Spain has
deciqtd TO put into effect the political
reforms heretofore advocated by the pres
ent Premier, without halting for any
consideration in the path which I'm its
judgment leads to peace. The military ope-
rations, it is said, will continue. but will
be humane. and conducted with all regard
for private rights. being accompanied
by political action leading to the
autonomy of Cuba, while guarding
Spanish sovereignty. 1t further sug-
gests that Spain be left free
to conduct the military operations and
grant political reforms. while the United
States for its part shall enforce neutral
obligations, and cut off the assistance
which, it is asserted, the insurgents re-
ceive from this country. The suppOsi-
ton of an indefinite prolougation OF the
war is denied, and complete and early
pacfication is hoped for. which, with the
immediate amelioration Of existing condi-
lions in Cuba, would remove cause for
any change of attitude on the part of the |
United States"
Spain shows an apparent disposition |
to charge us with failure to meet in |
ternational duties, and this charge, says |
the President, is without any basis or |
fact. 1t could not have been made II
Spain had been cognzant OF the efforts
this government has made. at the cost
Of millions, and the employment of all the
machinery of the govern
ment, to perform it's full duty. That IL
has successfully prevented the departure
Of a single military expedition or armed
,essel from our shore, in violation of our
avs, weuld seem 10 be a sufficient an
;wer and due response 10 this charge
las been made in diplomatic course. De-
aring that throughout all these horrors
nd dangers TO our own peace the United
states has never abrogated its preroga-
i've Of determining it's action according
o its own high sense Of right and its
interests. the President says:
"Of the untried measures there remain
My: Recognition of the insurgents rs
recognition of the indie
Evidence of Cuba; neutral intervention
D end the war, by imposing a rational
between the contestants, and
]
arty / speak not of forcble annexa-
on. for that cannot be thought of. That
v our code Of morality, would be crimi-
al aggression"
BELLIGERENCY PROPOSITION.
The President then proceeds to discuss I
he first head-namely, the recognition or 8
,lligerency. He recalls the resolutions t
{ Congress in 1896 and since then he I
notes the wise utterances of President L
rant in his message OF December Z, '
rs, particularly where he declares r.
;ainst the recognition OF independence s.
that time, and also President Grants
sclaration that he failed to find in the
the existence OF such a sub =,
antial political organization and other q
ements required by international usage !,
would place 1t on the footing Of war O.
which recognition Of belligerency o
Duld aim to elevate It, %
his quotation from that por- :,
IN Of President Grants message the :,
esident says still further pertinent :,
nsiderations appear as TO the practical F.
poets of the question. In the code or o,
tions there is no such thing as a naked w
cognition Of belligerency. unaccompa- n
I'd by the assumption of international 81
Such recognition would not O
nfer upon either party to the conflict a p
titus not heretofore actually possessed,
d a recognition of belligerent rights, IN
lille nominally equal, would weigh be
ayily in behalf of Spain herself. Spain er
aid not only claim the right OF search co
the high seas nd Of seizure Of con- tiC
bands, but her aritime rights could Ia
asserted up to the margin of our own 50
ritorial waters. and a condition Of ST
ngs would exist for which the Cubans an
h4i |
create a parallel. The United States
lld acquire no right OF Intervention st;
enforce the conduct Of the strife within le'
paramount authority of Spain, ac- ne
ding to the international code of war. to
For these reasons" says the President ma
regard the recognition of the bellige- W.
cy OF the Cuban insurgents as low DO
yise and therefore inadmissible Tel
'uld that step hereafter be deemed SEE
o as measure Of right and duty, the pa ga,
ecutive will take it," ca
NEUTRAL INTERVENTION. ,
he President then discusses the ques- IN,
OF intervention upon humanitarian Iol
unds, and asks whether this step cor
uld be taken, when it is apparent that ito
opeful change has supervened I'm the He
cy Of Spain towards Cuba. Gee
o recalls that the new Spanish Gov Eu
nent has pledged itself to reform, tina
an abandonment of the bayonet poll cor
alone, and finds that the first acts OF our
new government lie in these honorable mu
as. Inc polcy or cruel rapine ana eX- rem
that has so long shocked the the
Tersal sentiment OF humanity, has ma
4 reversed. Broad clemency is proffer- con
Measures have been taken TO relieve eve
horrors OF starvation. The power OF the pat
nsh armies, II is asserted, is to be eigi