The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1897-12-10

enforce the conduct of the strife within
the paramount authority of Spain accord
ing TO the international code of war. For
these reasons regard the recognition of
the belligerency of the Cuban insurgents
as now unwse, and therefore inadmissa BILE
Should that step hereafter be deemed wise
as measure OF right and duty, the execu-
tive will take it.
Intervention.
Intervention upon huma grounds
has been frequently suggested, and has not
failed to receive my most anxious and
step be now taken, when it is apparent
that hopeful change has SuperVened in
the policy of Spain toward Cuba? new
government has taken office in the mother
country. 1t is pledged in advance to the
declaration that all the efforts Of the world
by the bayonet; that vague promises of re-
form after Subjugation afford no solution
of the insular problem; that with sub
stitution of commanders must come
change OF the past system of warfare for
one in harmony with a new policy which
the horrible alternative of taking to the
thicket or surrounding in misery" that re-
forms must be instituted in accordance
time, and that these reforms, while de-
signed to give full autonomy to the colony
and to create virtual entity and self-con-
trolled administration, shall yet conserve
and affirm the sovereignty of Spain by a
just distribution of powers and burdens
upon basis Of mutual interest untainted
Lies I'm Honorable Paths.
The first acts of the new government lie
in these honorable paths. The policy of
| cruel rapine and determination that SO
humanity has been reversed. Under the
new military commander a broad clemency
is proffered: Measures have already been
set on foot to relieve the horrors of starva-
| ton. The power of the Spanish armies, it
| is asserted, is to be used not to spread ruin
and desolation, but to protect the resump-
ton of peaceful agricultural pursuits and
| productive industries. That past methods
are futile to force peace by subjugation is
| Citation must inevitably fail to win for
! Spain the fidelity of a contented depend
ency. DEGREES In application OF the fore
| Swallowed reforms have already been pro-
| mulgated.
ShOuld Give Spain n Chance.
That the government of Sagasta has en-
! tered upon a course from which recession
| with honor IS Impossible can hardly be
] questioned; that in the few weeks 1t has
! existed 1t has made earnest of the sincerity
of it's professions is undeniable: shall not
| impugn its sincerity, nor should impattence
! be suffered to embarrass 1t in the task IT
has undertaken. It is honestly due Spain
that she should be given reasonable
chance to realize her expectations, and to
prove the asserted efficacy of the new or
der of things to which she stands ire
vocably committed. She has recalled the
| commander whose brutal orders inf1amed
| the american mind and shocked the civ
order OF concentration, and has undertaken
| to care for the helpless and permit those
| who desire to resume the cultivation of
| their fields to do so, and assures them 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
correspondence during both this and the
preceding administration.
| Will 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 a righteous
peace. just alike to the Cubans and to
Spain, as well as equitable to all our in
terests so intimately involved in the well
fare of Cuba, is likely to be attained.
If not the eXigency of further and other
action by the United States will remain
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-
fided to 1t the protection of their interests
right, keeping free from all offense our
selves, actuated only by upright and patri-
otto considerations, moved neither by pas
sion nor selfishness, 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 shau De
honorable and enduring II IL shat! here
: after appear to be 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