The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-12-09

States. for its part shall enforce its neu-
trai obligations and cut off the assistance
Wmch 4 Is asserted the insurgents receive
from this country. The supp0sition of
an indefinite prolongation OF the war is
denied. 1t is asserted that the western
provinces are already well-nigh re-
claimed, that the planting of cane and
| TOBACCO therein has been resumed and
that by force Of arms and new and
ample reforms, very complete and early
paeifcation is hoped for
The immediate amelioraton of exist
ing conditions under the new administra-
tion of Cuban affairs Is predicted and
Herewith all the disturbances and all
occasion for any change of attitude on
rhe part of the United States.
| In Regard TO Filibustering.
Discussion of the question of interna-
| tional duties and responsibilities of the
! United States, as Spain understands
them, is presented with an apparent dis
position 10 charge us with failure in this
regard. This charge Is without any
basis in fact. II could not have been
made if Spain had been cognizant of the
|
made, ut the cost of millions and by the
employment of the administrative ma
| chihery OF the nation ut command. to per-
/ form its full duty under the laws of ma
| tons That it has successfully prevent
| ed the departure of u single military ey-
| pedition or armed vessel from our shores
! IN violation of our laws would seem to
| he u sufficient answer. But of this as
pcct of the case it is not necessary to
| speak further now. Firm in the convic-
ton OF n wholly performed obligation.
due response to this charge has been
made III diplomatic course.
Action That Could BE Taken.
Throughout all these horrors and dam
gers to our own peace this government
mas never In any way abrogated its SOW
| erelgn prerogative of preserving for It.
self the determination of its policy and
course according to its own high sense
| OF right ana in consonance with the
best interests and convictions of our
: own people, should the prolongation Of
| the strife so demand.
Ot the untried measures there remain
| only recognition of the insurgents as
belligerents, recognition of the independ.
| ence of Cuba, neutral intervention to
end the war by imposing rational com
promise between the contestants and in
] tcrVcntlon III Iavof oil one or the otner
party. l speak not OF forcible anneXa-
I ton, Tor that can not be thought OF.
mat, by our code OF morality, would be
criminal aggression.
:" ''S"'"s "e'''Ser""es'
Recognition OF the belligerency OF the
Cuban insurgents has often been can
vassed as n POSSIBLE If not inevitable
STEP both III regard to the previous ten
years struggle ana during the present
war. am not unmindful that the two
houses OF congress In 1876 expressed
the opinion by concurrent resolution
that condition of public war existed,
requiring or Jnstifylng the recognition
OF u state OF beliigerency In CUBA. ana
during the extra session the senate
voted joint resolution OF like import
which, however, was not brought to
vote OF the house. In the presence OF
these significant expressions OF the sen
timent of the legislative branch, 1t he
hooves the executive to seriously con-
sider the conditions under which 50
important measure must needs rest Tor
lustihca ton. 1t Is to he seriously con
sidered whether the Cuban ihsnrrection
has passed beyond dispute the attributes
OF statehood. which alone can demand
the recognition OF the belligercncy III lts
favor. Possession, In short, OF the es-
sentlal quallhcatlons OF sovereignty Dy