The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1897-12-08

enforce the conduct of the strife within
| the paramount authority Of Spain accord
ing to the international code Of war. For
the belllgerency Of the Cuban insurgents
as now unwise, and therefore inadmissa BILE.
Should that step hereafter be deemed wise
as measure Of right and duty. the execu-
Intervention.
Intervention upon humanitarian grounds
has been frequently suggested, and has not
failed to receive my most anxious and
earnest consideration. But should such a
step be now taken, when 1t Is apparent
that a hopeful change has supervened in
the policy of Spain toward Cuba? A new
government has taken office In the mother
country. 1t Is pledged In advance to the
declaration that all the efforts Of the world
cannot suffice to maintain peace in Cuba
by the bayonet; that vague promises OF re-
form after subjugation afford no solution
OF the insular problem; that with SUBJ
stitution of commanders must come q
change of the past system Of warfare for
one In harmony with q new policy which
shall no longer aim to. drive the Cubans to
the horrible alternative Of taking to the
thicket or succumbing In misery" that re-
forms must be instituted In accordance
with the needs and circumstances OF the
time, and that these reforms, while de-
g69ed to sse to ne
trolled administration, shall yet conserve
and affirm the sovereignty Of Spain by a
just distribution of powers and burdens
upon a basis of mutual interest, untainted
by methods Of selfish expedency.
Lies in Honorable Paths.
The first acts Of the new goyernment lie
In these honorable paths. The policy Of
cruel raplne and determination that so
long shocked the universal sentiment Of
humanity has been reversed. Under the
is proffered. Measures have already been
set on foot to relieve the horrors Of starva-
tion. The power of the Spanish armies, 1t
Is asserted, Is to be used not to spread ruin
tlon Of peaceful agricultural pursuits, and
productive industries. That past methods
are futile to force peace by sub1ugation Is
freely admitted, and that ruin without con-
Spain the fidelity Of a contented depend
ency. DEGREES in application Of the fore
shadowed reforms have already been pro-
mulgated.
Should Give Spain n Chance.
That the government of Sagasta has en-
with honor is impossible can hardly. be
questioned; that In the few weeks 1t has
existed 1t has made earnest Of the sincerity
of its professions Is undeniable. l shall not
be suffered to embarrass 1t In the task 1t
has undertaken. 1t Is honestly due Spain
and to our friendly relations with Spain
that she should be given a reasonable
CHdHCe 10 TSaIlZe HeT expectations, anu u
prove the asserted efficacy. of the new or
der Of things to which she stands fire.
vocably committed She has recalled the
commander whose brutal orders inflamed
the American mind and shocked the civ
lllzed world. She has modified the horrible
order of concentration, and has undertaken
to care for the helpless and permit those
who desire to resume the cultivation Of
the protection Of the Spanish government
in their lawful occupations She has Just
released the Competitor" prisoners here
tofore sentenced to death, and who have
been the subject Of repeated diplomatic
preceding administration.
VIII Not Hesitate to Act.
Not a single American citizen is now In
arrest or confinement In Cuba of whom
this government has any knowledge. The
near future will demonstrate whether
the indispensable condition of righteous
peace, just alike to the. Cubans and TO
Spain, as we'll as equitable to all our in
terests so intimately involved In the well
fare Of Cuba, is likely to be attained.
If not the exigenGy Of further And other
to be taken. When that time comes that
action will be determined in the line Of
indisputable right and duty. 1t will be
faced without misgiving or hesitancy In the
light Of the obligation this government
owes to ITSELF to the people who have con-
ided to 1t the protection of their interests
and honor and to humanity. Sure OF the
right, keeping free from all offense our
selves, actuated only by upright and patri-
otic considerations. moved neither by pas
sion nor selishness, the government Will
continue Its watchful care over the rights
and property OF American citizens and will
abate none of its efforts to bring about by
peaceful agencies a peace which shall be
honorable and enduring. II II shall here
after appear to be a duty imposed by our
obligations to ourselves, to civilization and
humanity to intervene with force, 1t shall,
be without fault on our part and only be-
cause the necessity for such action will be
so clear as to command the support and
approval Of the civilized world.