The times., 1897-12-07
THE CUBAN PROBLEM.
Executive Expects Autonomy and
Time To Solve IT.

Executive Expects Autonomy and
Time To Solve 1t.
The most important problem with which
tins Government is now called uDon TO
deal pertaining TO its foreign relations
concerns its duty toward Spain and the
Cuban insuTreotion. Problems and condi-
tions more or less in common with those
now existing have confronted this Govern
ment bI yaI iOus times in the past The
story or Cut'a for many Years has been one
OF unrest, owing discontent; an effort
toward d larger enjoyment Of liberty and
selfcontrol; OF organized resistance to the
mother country; OF depression after dis
treSs and warfare and of Intellectual set
usment 10 be followed by renewed revolt
For no enduring period since the enfran-
otispment OF the continental possessions
OF Spain ia the Western continent has The
condition OF Cuba or the policy of Spain
toward Cuba not caused concern to the
United States.
The prospect from time TO time that ;he
weakness of Spain'S hold upon the Island
and the political vicssitudes and embar-
rassments of the home Government might
lead to the transfer of Cuba TO a contin .ntal
power called forth, between / S23 and $50,
various emphatic declarations OF the policy
OF the United States TO permit no disturb
aHcc OF Cuba's connection with Spain un-
less in the direction of independence or
acquisition by US through purchase; nor
has there been any change of this declared
policy since Uron the part OF the Govern
ment.
The revolution which began in | S6S lasted
for ten years despite the strenuous efforts
Of the successive peninsular governments
To suppress it. Then asnow the Government
Of the United States testified its grave con-
cerD and offered its aid to put an end to
bioodshed In Cuba. The oyertures made by
Gen. Grant were refused and the war
dragged On, entailing great loss Of life
and treasure and increased injury to
American interests besides throwing en-
hanced burdens Of neutrality upon this
Government. In 1878 peace was brought
about by the Truce OF Zanjon, obtained by
negotiations between the Spanish Com
maBder, Martinez de Campos, and the In
sUreent leaders.
The President is very accurate in the
foregoing historical review, but when ne
comes 10 deal with the situation which
faces him he is not 50 sure.
AT the outset he declares that both the
Cuban partiSans and the Spanish scIdiery
have dsFeearded the rules of civilized
warfare and says that the A merican people
are filled with grave apprehension" with
out any desire to profit by the misfortunes
of Spain.
The Cleveland A ADMINISTRATION proffcr of
friendly intervention and Spain's naughty
refusal 20 consider it are referred to with
out comment, though Weyler's policy of
concentration then in effect, is severe
ly criticised, evidently for the purpose OF
laying stress on the Importance OF Bla lco's
moderation. The argument is that the
commander whose brutal orders inflamed
the American mind having been recalled
autonomy granted and the pacificos sent
back TO their fields, there is nothing to
shock this GOV ernment into the frame OF
mind which moved the Republican CON
vention from which the President accepted
his nomination.
The President feiicitates himself upon
the fact that he has from time 10 time
protested against Iberian cruelty, and
that on his recommendation Congress ap-
propriated $50 900 for the relic fof starving
Americans on the island.
Minister Woodford's Instructions
Our minister to Spain was instructed