The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-12-08

cial proceedings. felt 1t my first duty tc
make demand for the release or speedy
trial of all American citizens under ar.
| rest Before the change of the Spanish
cabinet in October last, 90 prisoners. cti-
| zcns of the United States had been given
| their freedom.
For the relief of our own citizens. sur
| fering because of the conflict the aid of
| congress was sought in n special message
| and under tie appropriation of April L.
! 1897 effective aid has been given to Ameri-
! can citizens in cuba, many of them nj
their own request having been returned
to the United States. The Instructions
given to our new minister to Spain before
! his departure for his post, directed hir1
TO impress upon that government the sin
cere wish of the United States to lend
its aid toward the ending of the war in
! Cuba by reaching peaceful and lasting
result, just and honorable alike to Spain
and to the cuban people. These instruc-
lions recitcd the character and duration
| of the contest. the widespread losses It en-
! tails, the burdens and restraints 1t i'm
! poses upon us. with constant disturbance
| of national interests and the injury result
! ing from an indefinite continuance Of this
state of things. 1t was stated that at
this iuncture our government was con-
strained to seriously inquire If the time
was not ripe when Spain, of her own Volt
ton moved by her own interests and ev
! cry sentiment Of humanity. should put
stop to this destructive war and make pro-
| posals of settlement honorable to herself
! and just to her Cuban colony. 1t was
! urged that, as "A neighborlng nation, with
! large interests in Cuba. we could be re-
quired to wait only a reasonable time for
! the mother country to establish its au-
sg1n1s
in the borders of the island that we could
not contemplate an indefinite period for the
! accomplishment of this result.
No solution was proposed to which the
slightest IDEA of humiliation to Spain
could attach; and indeed the precise pro-
| posals We're withheld to avoid embarra5s-
| ment to that government. All that was
asked or expected was that some safe way
! might be speedily provided and perman-
| ent peace restored. 1t SO CHANGED that The
| consideration of this offer addressed to the
same Spanish administration which had
| declined the tenders of my predecessor
| and which for more than two years bad
poured men and treasure into Cuba in the
! fruitless effort to suppress the revolt, fell
| to others Between the departure Of
! General Woodford, the new envoy and
! his arrival in Spain, the statesman who
| had shaped the policy OF his country fell
! by the hand of an assassin and although
the cabinet of the late premier still held
office and received from our envoy the
! proposals he bore, the cabinet gave place
within few days thereafter TO a new ad-
mnistration under the leadership of S-l-
gasta.
The reply TO our note was received on
the 23d day of October 1t is in the direc-
ton of a better understanding. It ap-
preciates the friendly purposes of this gov
eminent. 1t admits that our country is
deeply affected by the war in Cuba and
that its desires for peace are Just. 1t de-
clares that the present Spanish govern
ment 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 nut into effect the political re-
forms heretofore advocated by the pres
ent premier without hating for any con
sideration in the path which in its judg-
ment leads TO peace. The military opera
lions, 1t Is aid, will continue. but will be
humane and conducted with all regard
for private 'ghts being accompanied by
political act'-0 leading to the autonr y
| of Cuba, Y 70 guarding Spanish sov,r-
eighty. Thi1 il is claimed, will result in
investing "a with a distinct PERSONAL
ity, the isla TO be governed by an exc l.
| tive and by local council or chamber. e.
serving TO ain the control Of the for
eign relatit the army and navy AMI the
judicial administration. TO accomplish
this the present government proposes to
modify existing legislation by decree, leav-
| iEg the Spanish cortes with the aid of Gu
ban senators and deputies, to solve the
economic problem and properly distrib"-e
the existing debt.
In the absence of a declaration of the
measures Tat this government prop -
to take in carrying out its proffer of good
offices, it suggests that Spain be left f. Je
to conduct military operations and sra It
political reforms while the United States,
for It's part, shall enforce it's neutral OBJ
legations and cut off the assistance which
1t is asserted the insurgents receive from
this country The supposition of an in
definite prolongation of the war is denied.
| 1t Is assert d that the western provinces
are already well nigh reclaimed that the
planting of cane and tobacco therein has
been resumed and that by force of arms
and new and ample reforms very carly
and complete pacification Is hoped for.
The immediate amelioration of existing
conditions under the new administra ion
of Cuban affairs is predicted and there
withal the disturbance and all occa sion
for any change of attitude on the part of
the United States.
Discussion OF the question Of the inter
national duties and responsibility OF
the United States as Spain understands
them Is accompanied with an apparent
disposition to charge us with failure in
this regard. This charge is without any
OASIS IN 1act. u could not have been
made if Spt n had been cognizant of the
constant efforts this government has
made at the cost of millions and by the
employment of the administrative minis
try of the nation at command, to per
form It's full duty according to the law oil
nations That 1t has successfully pre-
vented the departure OF a single exr edl
ton of armed vessels from our shores
in violation of our laws would seem t.
be sufficient answer But OF this as
pect Of the Spanish note 1t is not neces
sary to speak further now. Firm in tn.
conviction of a wholly performed obIga
ton. due response to this charge has beer
made in diplomatic course.
That by our code of morality would BIZ
criminal aggression. Recognition of tn,
belligerency of the Cuban insurgents ha.
often been canVassed as a possible, If no
inevitable, step both In regard to the pre-
vlous ten years struggle and during tn,
present war. ! am not unmndful tina
the two houses of congress In the sprins
of 1896 expressed the opinion by concur
rent resolution that condition of pub
lie war existed, requiring or justifyin,
the recognition Of a state of belligerency
in Cuba, and during the extra session tn
senate voted joint resolution of like i'm
port. which, however was not brough
to vote I'm the house of represen a ives
, In the presence of these significant ex
pressions of the sentiment of the legls
lative branch, 1t behooves the executive
to soberly consider the conditions unde