The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1897-12-09

ton which had declined the tenders OF
my predecessor, and which for more than
two years had poured men and treasare
into c th IN the fruitless eort TO
the departure Of Gen woodford, the new
envoy and his arrival in Spain, the
his country fell BY the hand Of an as
sassin, and, although the cabinet Of the
late premier still held Office and received
the cabinet gave place within a few days
thereafter to new administration under
the leadership sn nof s;ag1 R stai
The reply to our note was received on
the 23d day Of October. It is in the direc-s
ton of a better understanding. It appre-
ciates the friendly proposals Of this gov
eminent. It admits that our country IS
deeply affected by the war in Cuba, and.
that its desires for peace are just. 1t de-
ment is bound by every consideration to
q change of policy that should satisfy the
United States and pacify Cuba within n q
decided to put into effect the political re-
forms heretofore advocated by the pres
Sheraton in the path s, Which in its judg-
PREPARATIONS win continue It is said. put
with all regard for private rights, being
accompanied by. political action leading
to the autonomy Of Cuba, while guarding a!.laa
will result in Investing Cuba with a dis
tinct personality; the island to be I goyi
erned by an executive and by "a s ioeh,
the control of the foreign relations, the
army and navy, and the judicial admins.
tration. To accomplish this the presenl
legislation by decree, leaving the Spanish
cortes with the aid of Cuban senators
ana an psepe to o df h ns sxs R
the measures that this government Pro 9co-
p good o lace it suggests that Spain Be
and grsant political reforms, while L. the ne
neutral obligations and cut, off the as
surgents receive from this country. The
of the war is denied. 1t is asserted that
the western provinces are already WELL
nigh reclaimed; that the planting Of
new and ample reforms very early and
complete paeitication is hoped for; ,s+;np
conditions under the new administration
Of Cuban affairs is predicted and there
wthal the disturbance l ana al occ sr{ Of
the United States. Discussion of this ques-
ton Of the international 1uties and re-
sponsibilities of the United sa STATES u IS
an apparent disposition to charge us with
failure in this resnrdf This c cang nof
have been made If Spain had been cog
infant Of the constant efforts this govern,
ment has made at the cost of millions ana
by the employment Of the administering
machinery of the nation at command TO
Of nations. That it has successfully pre-
vented the departure of single military
expedition or armed vessel, from oue 1
shores in violation If our laws would
seem to be sufficient answer. But OF
this aspect of the Spanish note it is not
tn
the conviction of a wholly performed OBJ
legation due response to this charge has
been made in diplomatic course.
Rational Compromises.
Throughout all these horrors and dan
gers to our own peace this government
has never broken even in any way abro-
gated it's sovereign prerogatives OF reSerV-
ing to itself the determination of its pol
icy and course according to it's own high
sense of right and in consequence with
the dearest interests and convictions OF
our ewn people should the prolongation
of the strife so demand.
OF the untried measures there remain
belligerents, recognition Of the independ-
ence of Cuba, neutral intervention to end
the war by imposing a rational compro-
vention in favor of one or the other party
| 7 speak not of forcible annexation. fol
that cannot be thought OF: mat py ou tr
| gression.
Recognition of the belligerency Of
as the f not
evitabie step both in regard to the pre-
| vious ten years struggle and during thu
| the two houses of congress in the spring
| of 1896 expressed the opinion by concur
| lent resolution that a condition Of public
Recognition wtet of the state Of belligerency i,
| Cuba, and during the extra session tn
senate Voted Joint resolution Of like H.
vote ~ in the house. Of the the @
| In the presence of the significant express
sions Of the legislative branch, it behoove
ditions under which such an importan
measure must needs rest for justification
1t is to be seriously considered whethe
the Cuban instruction possesses beyon
dispute the attributes of statehood whic
alone can demand the recognition of bel
ligerency in it's favor. Possession, in shor
of the essential qualifications of soye1
eighty by the insurgents and the conduc
of the war by them according to the re
served code of war are no less importar
problem of belligerency than are the ir
| f1uences and consequences of the strugg
upon the International policy of the rec
| Ognizing state. ~. B.. r. ..
The utterances of President Grant in h
memorable message of Dec. Z, 1875, al
signally relevant to the present situatio
recall them. At that time ruinous col
f1ict had for seven years wasted the neigl
boring island. During all those years a
| warfare and Of the just demands of HI
mainly, which called forth expressions
condemnation from the nations Of Chri
| tendon continued unabated. DesolatiC
and ruin pervaded that productive regio
| enormously affecting the commerce of q
commercial nations, but that of the Unite
| States more than any other by reason I
| proximity and larger trade and int
i course At that juncture Grant uttert
| these words, which now, as then sum 1
the elements Of the problem: /.
Recognition Impracttcable.
A recognition Of the independence
Cuba being, in my opinion, impractical
and indefensible, the question which ne
presents itself is that of the recognize
Of belligerent rights in the parties to t
contest In a former message to co
gress I had occasion to consider tt
question, and cached the conclusion tn
the conflict in Cuba, dreadful and deva
tating as were it's incidents, did not ri
to the fearful dignity Of war. It is pc
sible that the act of foreign powers. o.
even acts of Spain herself, of this We
nature might be pointed to in defen
of such recognition. But now. as in pa
history, the United States should cal
fully avoid the false rights which mig
lead it into the masses Of doubtful l.
! and of question: BILE propriety, and 9
here rigidly and sternly to the rule viii
; has been it's. guide, Of doing only tn
; which is right and honest and Of go
report. The question of according or
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