The record-union., 1897-12-07


to equal belligerent rights defined by
disfavors would be imposed on both,
which, whhe nominally equal, would
weigh heavily in behalf of Spain her
self. Possessing a navy and claiming
the ports of Cuba. her maritime rights
could be asserted not only for the mil
itary investment of the island, but up
to the margin of our territorial waters,
and a condition OF things would exist
for which the Cubans within their own
domain could not hope to create a
parallel, While its creation through aid
on sympathy from within our domain
would be even more impossible than
now with the additional obligations of
neutrality we would per-
force assume.
The enforcement of this enlarged and
onerous code of neutrality would only
be influential Within our own jurisdiction
by land and sea, and applicable by our
own instrumentalities 1t could i'm
part to the United States no iurisdic-
tion between Spain and the insurgents
1t would give the United States no
right of intervention to enforce the con-
duct of the strife within the paramount
authority Of Spain, according to the
international code of war.
For these reasons ! regard the rec
ognition Of the belligerency of the Gu
ban insurgents as now unwise, and
therefore iradnissible. Should that
step hereafter be deemed wise as a
measure Of right and duty, the Execu-
tive will take it,
A HOPEFUL CHANGE.
Intervention upon humanitarian
grounds has been frequently suggested,
and has not failed to receive my most
and earnest consideration. But
should such a step be now taken, when
1t is apparent that hopeful change has
supervened in the policy of Spain to-
ward Cuba? A new Government has
taken office in the mother country. 1t
is pledged in advance to the declara-
ton that all the eff in the world can
not suflce to ma ain peace in Cuba
py the payonet; 4at vague promises
OF reform after subjugation afford no
solution of the insular problem; that
with substitution of commanders;
must come a change of the past sys-
tenn of warfare for one in harmony with
a new policy which shall no longer aim
to drive the Cubans ito the horrible
alternative of taking to the thicket or
Succumblng In misery: that reforms
must be instituted in accordance with
the needs and circumstances of time.
ana that these reforms, while designed
10 give full autonomy, to create virtual
entity and self-controlled adninistra
tion, shall yet conserve and affirm the
sovereignty of Spain by Just distri-
button Of powers and burdens upon a
OASIS OF mutual interest untainted by
methods of selfish expediency.
Inc hrst acts of the new Government
lie In these honorable paths. The policy
OF cruel rapine and determination that
so long shocked the universal sentiment
OF humanity has been reversed. Under
the new military commander a broad
clemency is proffered Measures have
been set on foot to relieve the
horrors of starvation. The povNr of
the spanish armies, it is asserted. is to
ne USED, not to spread ruin and desc
iduoh, but to protect the RESUMPTION
OF peaceful agricultural pursuits and
productive industries. That part meth
DDS are futile to force a peace bv s1,h-
1ugation is freely admitted. and that
rum without conciliation must inav-
i'aoly iall TO win for Spain the fidelity
Oh dlscontented dependency
SPANS PROPOSED REFORMS.
Decrees in application of the fore
shadoWed reforms have already been
promulgated. The full text of these
oecrees have not been received. but
as furnished in a telegraphic sum
mary from our Minister are:
All civil and electoral rights of Pen
insula Spaniards are, in virtue of ex-
istfng constitutional assembly. forth
with extended to colonial Spaniards 4
scheme of autonomy has been pro-
claimed by decree, to become effective
upon ratification by the Cortes. 1t
creates Cuban Parliament. which
with the insular executive can con-
slider and vote upon all subjects af
fecting local order and interests. nos
sessing unlimited powers save as to
matters of state, war and the navy az
TO which the Governor General acts h1.
his own authority as the delegate of
the central Government. This Parlia-
ment receives the oath of the Gov
ernor-General to preserve faithfully the
liberties and privileges of the colony.
and to it the Colonial Secretaries are
responsible. 1t has the right to pro-
pose to the central Government
through the Governor General. modifi-
cations OF the national charter, and to
invite new projects of law or executive
measures in the interests Of the COL
ony
Besides its local powers. it is COM
petent, first, to regulate electoral req
istration and procedure, and prescribe
the qualifications of electors and the
manner OF exercising suffrage; second.
to organize courts of justice. with ma
tive Judges from members of the local
bar; thlrd, to frame the insular budget
both as to expenditures and revenues $
to meet the Cuban share of the na =
tional budget, which latter viii be
voted by the national Cortes with the
assistance of Cuban Senators and De-
puties; fourth; to initiate or take part
in the negotiations of the national Gov
ernn1eht Tor commercial treaties which
may affect Cuban interests: fifth. TO
accept or reject commercial treaties
which the national Government NAV
have concluded without the participa
ton OF the Cuban Government: sixth.
to frame the colonial tariff, acting in
accord with the Peninsular Govern
ment in scheduling articles of mutual
commerce between the mother country
and the colonies
Before introducing or voting upon a
bill, the cuban Government, or the
chambers, will lay the project before
the central Government and hear its
opinion thereon; all the correspond
ence In such regard being made pub
lie. Finally. all conflicts of Jurisdiction