The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-07
CUBA .TOALASKA.
CONTINUED from First Page).

.
should not make proposals of settlement.
and II was said that we could not con-
template an indefinite period for the ac-
complishment 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
permanent peace restored. The President
refers TO the change In the Spanish Cabi-
net about this time. and. continuing, says:
The reply 10 our note was In the d.
rection OF better understanding. 1t APP
preciates the frienly purposes OF this
Government. 1t admits that our country
is deeply affected by the Cuban
war. 1t declares that the present
Spanish Government is bound by every
consideration to change OF policy that
should satisfy the United States and paci-
fy Cuba within a reasonable time. To
this end Spain has decided TO put into
effect the political reforms heretofore ad-
vocated by the present Premier. without
hating for any consideration In the path
which, in IT'S judgment. leads TO peace.
The military operations. 1t Is said will
continue, but will be humane and conduct
ed with all regard for private rights, be-
ing accompanied by political action lead
ing 10 the autonomy of Cuba, while guard
DO OUR PART
at further suggests 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 assist
ance. which, 1t Is asserted. the insurgents
receive from this country. The suppo-
sitlon of an indefinite prolongation of the
war is denied and complete and early
pacifcation Is hoped for which, with the
immediate amelioration Of existing condi-
tions In Cuba. would remove cause for any
change Of attitude on the part OF the
United States"
Spain shows an apparent disposition 10
charge us with failure TO meet interna-
tional duties, and this charge. says the
President. is without any basis of fact.
IL could not have been made If Spain
had been coguizant of the efforts this
Government has made. at the cost OF
millions. and the employment OF admin
istration machinery. OF the Government
to perform its full duty. That it has sue
cessfully prevented the departure OF
single military expedition of armed YES
sells from our shore in violation of our
laws would seem TO be sufficient answer.
and due response to this charge has
been made in diplomatic course. Declar-
ing that throughout all these horrors and
dangers to our own peace the United
States has never abrOgated It's preoroga-
tive OF determining It's action to its own
high sense Of right and its interests. the
President says:
FOUR MEASURES.
"Of the untried measures there remain
only: Recognition of the insurgents as
belligerents: recognition OF the indepen-
dence of Cuba: neutral intervention TO end
the war by imposing rational compro-
mise between the contestants, and in
tervention in favor of one or the other
party. | speak not OF forcible annexation.
for that can not he thought Of. That by
our Code Of morality would be criminal
aggression"
The President then proceeds to discuss
the first head: Namely. the recognition
OF bellgerency. He recalls the resolu-
tions Of Congress in 1896 and since then
he quotes the wise utterances Of President
Grant in his message OF December I.
1875, particularly where he declares against
the recognition OF independence at that
time. and also President Grants declar-
alton that he failed to find in the insur-
rection the existence OF such a substan-
tial political organization and other ele-
ments required by international us
age as would place 1t on the
terrible footing Of war to which a
recognition of belligerency would aim 10
elevate H. Completing his quotation from
that portion OF President Grants mes
sage. the President says still further per-
tlnent considerations appear as TO the
practical aspects OF the question.
A NEW PHASE.
In the Code Of Nations there is no such
thing as a naked recognition of belliger-
ency unaccompanied by the assumption
of international neutrality. Such recogni-
ton would not confer upon either party
TO the conflict a status not therefore
actually possessed and a recognition OF
belligerent rights. while nominally equal,
would weigh heavily In behalf of Spain
herself. Spain could not only claim the
right of search on the high seas and OF
seizure of contrabands. but her maritime
rights could be asserted up to the mar
gin of our own territorial waters. and
condition of things would exist for which
the Cubans within their own domains
could not hope to create a parallel. The
United States would acquire no right of
to enforce the conduct of the
strife within the paramount authority OF
Spain according TO the International Code
of War
For these reasons" said the President.
81 regard the recognition OF the belliger-
ency of the CrT an insurgents as now
and, therefore. inadmissible.
Should that step hereafter be deemed
wise as a measure f right and duty the
Executive will make it,.
The President discussed the question Of
upon humanitarian grounds
and asks whether this step should be
taken. when It is apparent that hope
full change has supervened In the policy
Of Spain towards Cuba. He recalls that
the new Spanish government has pledged
itself TO reform and an abandonment OF
the oayonet policy alone. and finds that
the first acts of the new government lie
i'm these honorable paths The policy
OF cruel rapine and determination that
has so long shocked the universal senti-
ment of humanity has been reversed.
Broad clemoncy is proffered. measures
have been taken to relieve the horrors
Of starvation.
The power of the Spanish armies, 1t
is asserted is to he used not to spread
ruin and desolation. but TO protect the
Of peaceful agricultural pur-
suits and productive industries. That
past methods are futile to force policy
by subjugation is freely admitted and
that ruin without Cancellation must in
evitably fail TO win for Spain the fidel-
ity of a contented dependency.
DEGREES in application of the foreshad-
owed reforms haye already been promul-
gated. The President describes the re-
form policy Of the Spanish government
as to Cuba as has already been set out