The record-union., 1897-12-07
The PRESIDENTS
MESSAGE.
CONTINUED from First Page)


things.
1t was stated that at this JunctuIe
our Government was constrained 10 Sc
riously inquire if the time was hol iipe
when Spain. of her own voliuon, iioNeu
by her own interests and by sehuliiene
of humanity, should put stop 10 'iiis
destructive war. and make proposals VI
settlement honorable to herseH dhu
lust to her Cuban colony. 1t was urseu
that as a neighboring hatIoh' VIZ
large interests in Cuba, we coulu oe
required to wait reasonaple tiiiie
for the mother country to estapllSh A''
authority and restore peace anu olu
within the borders of the island' thal
we could not contemplate an lhdelli.e
period for the accomplishment OF inns
result
No solution was proposed TO Whlch
+ba oliebtast idea of humiliation to
Spain could attach, and, indeed PRECISE
pronosals were withheld to avoid en-
barrassment to that Government All
that was asked or expected was that
Soma safe way might be speedily pro-
yided and permanent peace restored.
II so CHANGED that the consideration
of this offer addressed to the same
Snaaish administration which had de-
cinad the tenders of my predecessor,
and which for more than two years
had poured men and treasure into Cuba
in the fruitless effort to suppress the
revolt, fell to others. Between the de-
nartura of General Woodford the
new envoy, and his arrival in Spain,
the statesman who had shaped the pol
icy of bis country fell by the hand of
an assassin, and although the Cabinet
of the late Premier held office and re-
ceived from our Envoy the proposals
he bore, that Cabinet gave place with
in a few days thereafter to new Ad-
ministrat ton under the leadership of
Sagasta.
SPANS REPLY.
The reply to our note was received on
the 23d day of October. 1t is in the
direction of a better understanding. 1t
appreciates the friendly purposes of
this Government. 1t admits that our
country is deeply affected by the war
in Cuba, and that it's desires for peace
are Just. 1t declares that the present
Spanish Government is bound by every
consideration to a change of policy
that should satisfy the United States
and pacify Cuba within a reasonable
time. To this end Spain has decided to
put into effect the political reforms
heretofore advocated by the present
Premier, without hating for any con-
sideration in the path which in its
judgment leads to peace.
The military operations, 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.
This, it is claimed, Will result in in
vesting Cuba with a distinct perSonali-
ty; the island to be governed by an ex-
ecutive and by a local council or cham
ber, reserving to Spain the control of
the foreign relations, the army and
navy and the judicial administration.
To accomplish this, the present Gov
ernment proposes to modify existing
legislation by decree, leaving the Span
ish Cortes, with the aid of Cuban Sen
ators and Deputies. to solve the eco
nomic problem and properly distribute
the existing debt.
GIVE SPAIN TIME TO CARRY OUT
REFORMS
In the absence Of a declaration of the
measures that the Government proposes
TO take in carrying out it's proffer of
good offices, it 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 obligations. and cut off the
assistance which it is asserted the in
surgents receive from this country.
The proposition of indefinite prolon-
cation Of the war is denied. 1t is as
serted that the western provinces are
already well nigh reclaimed; that the
planning of cane and tobacco therein
has been resumed, and that by force
OF arms and new and ample reforms
very early and complete pacification is
hoped for
FILIBUSTERING EXPEDITIONS.
The immediate amelioration of ex-
listing conditions under the new Ad-
ministration of Cuban affairs is pre-
dicted, and therewithal the disturbance
and ell occasion for any change of at
titude on the part Of the United States
Discussion of the question of interna-
tional 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 Of fact. It could not have
been made If Spain had been cognizant
of the constant efforts this Government
has made at the cost of millions and
by the employment of the Administra-
tion machinery at the national COM
manf 10 perform its duty according to
the law Of nations
That ii has successfully prevented
the del arturo Of a single military ex-
peditscn or armed vessel from our
shores in violation Of our laws would
seem TO be a sufficient answer.
FoRCIBLE ANNEXATION NOT TO
BE THOUGHT OF.
But on this aspect OF the Spanish note
1t Is not necessary to speak further now.
Firm in the conviction Of a wholly per-
formed obligation. due response TO this
charge has been made In diplomatic
issues. Throughout all these horrors
and CANCERS to our own peace, this
Government has never in any way nb-
rogated its sovereign prerogative of re-
serving to itself the determination of
its policy and courage according to its
own high sense Of right. and in conso-
nance with the dearest interests and
convictions of our own people should
the prolongation of the strife so de-
man.
OF the untried measures, there remain
only: Recognition of the insurgents as
b'>iliserents; recognition of the inde-
pendence of Cuba; neutral intervention
TO end the war by imposing a rational
compromise between the contestants.
and intervention in favor of one or the
other party. 1 speak not of forcible an
heXatton. for that cannot be thought