The bee. (Earlington, Ky.) 1889-19??, 1897-12-09

TO Iead n not 10 aouses, certainly 70 collisions
perilou, to the peaceful relations OF the two
states There can be little doubt as to what ro-
suit such supervision would, before long draw
this nation. IL would be unworthy OF the United
States to inaugurate the possibilities OF such
result by measures OF questionable right, or ex-
pediency, or by any indication"
further Pertinent Conslderations Appear.
Turning 70 the practical aspects OF recogni-
tion OF belhgerency and reviewing its lncon-
viences and positive dangers still further perth
nent considerations appear. In the code Of ma
tions there Is no such thing as naked recogni-
tion OF belligerency unaccompaniod by the as
sumption OF International neutrality Such
recognition without more Will not confer upon
either party TO domestic conflict status not
heretofore actually possessed, or affect the re-
lation OF either party to other states. The act
OF recognition usually takes the form OF
solemn proclamation OF neutrality which re-
cites the de facto condition OF beligerency as
Its motives. IL announces q domestic law OF
neutrality In the declaring state.
Obligations Assumed I'm According BEL
ligerency.
IL assumes the International obligations OF a
neutral In the presence OF pubic state of war.
| IL warns all citizens, and others within the
jurisdiction OF the proclaimant that they violate
those rigorous obligations at their own peril
and can not expect to be shielded from the con-
sequences The right OF visit and search on the
seas and seizures OF vessels and cargoes and
coniraDand OF war and good prize under ad-
mlralty law must under international law be
/ admitted as legitimate consequence OF
proclamation OF belligerency While according
the nc ual beligerency rights defined by public
| law to each party In our ports disfavors would
be imposed on both. which while nomlnally
| equal would weigh heavily in behalf OF Spain
| herself.
spain's Advantage In Possessing Navy.
! Possessing a navy and controlling the ports
| OF Cuba, her maritime rights could be asserted
not only for the military investment OF the
island. but up to the margin OF our own terrific
rial waters. and a condition OF things would
exist for which the Cubans. within their own
\ domain. could not hope to create a parallel;
while the creation through aid or sympathy
! from within our domain would be even more
| impossible than now, with the additional obli-
cations OF neutrality we would perforue as
sumo.
1t Would Impose nm Onerous Duty.
The enforcement of this enlarged and oner-
Gus code of neutrality would only be influential
within our own jurisdiction by land aud sea
aud applicable by our own instrumentalties.
| IL could impart to the United States no juris-
/ diction between Spain and the insurgents IL
would give the United States no right o inter-
VentlOn to enforce the conduct of thc strife
within the paramount authority OF Spain ac-
cording to the international code of war.
Recognition OF Belligerency Now Unwise.
For these reasons regard the recognition OF
the belligerency OF the Cuban insurgents as
now useless. and therefore inadmlssble
/ Should that step hereafter be deemed wise, as
a measure OF right and duty, the executive will
| take it,
Intervention and humanitarian grounds has
| been frequently suggested, and has not failed
| sideration. But should such a step be now
| taken. when II Is apparent that hopeful
change has supervened In the policy OF Spain
toward Cubay
The Pledges OF the New Government
new government has taken cffice In the
mother country. 1t Is pledged In advance to
| the declaration that all the effort in the world
can not suffice 10 maintain peace IN Cuba by the
| bayonst; that vague promises OF reform after
sublugation AFFORD no solution of the nsular
| problem; that with substitution OF commando
| ers must come change OF the past system OF
| warfare for one In harmony with 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 reforms
must be instituted in accordance with the needs
and circumstances OF the time. and that these
| reforms, while designed to give full autonomy
| TO the colony. and to create virtual entity and
self-controlle1 administration, shall yet con-
serve and affirm the sovereignty OF Spain by q
just distribution OF powers and burdens upon a
basis of mutual interest, untainted by methods
OF selfish expedency.
/ Former Policy Reversed.
! The first acts OF the new government lie In
these honorable paths. The policy OF cruel
rapine ana determination that so long shocked
the universal sentiment OF humanity has been
mander broad clemency is prof
ferel. Measures have already been set
walton. The power OF the Spanish armies. it Is
I asserted. is to be used not TO spread ruin and
desolation, but TO protect the resumption OF
peaceful agricultural pursuits aud productive
Industries. That past methods are futile TO
force q peace by subjugation IS freely admitted,
and that ruin without Cancellation must newt
ably fail to win for Spain the fidelity Of con-
tented dependency. IN
DEGREES OF reforms Promulgated.
Deere s to application OF the foreshadowed
reforms have already been promulgated. The
full text OF these DEGREES has not been received.
but as furnished In telegraphlc summary from
our minister are; All civil and electoral rights
OF penlnsular Spaniards are, in virtue OF exist
ing constitutional authority forthwith extended
TO CO onal Spaniards A scheme OF autonomy
| has been proclaimed by decree to become ef-
fectlve upon ratification by the cortes 1t
creates Cuban parliament which. with the
insular executive, can consider and vote upon
all subjects Testing local order and interests
possessing unlimited powers save as to mat
ters Of state, war and the navy as to which the
governor-general acts by his own authority as
This paliament receives the oath of
the encouragement to preserve faith
fully the Liberties 70 les. o ana privileges OF
responsible. IL has the right 10 propose to the
central government, through the governor
| general, notifications OF the national cha ter
| and TO invite new projects OF law or executive
matters In the interests OF the colony.
some of the Provisions for Autonomy.
Besides its local powers 1t Is competent. first,
TO regulate electoral registration and procedure
and prescribe the qualifications OF electors and
the manner OF exercising suffrage; second, to
organize courts OF justice with native judges
from members OF the local bar; third, TO frame
the insular budget both as to expenditures and
revenues TO meet the Cuban share OF the
| national budget, which latter Will be voted
by the national cortes with the assist
ance of Cuban senators and deputies
fourth, TO initiate or take part in the negotia-
lions OF the national government for CONNER
cial treaties which may affect Cuban interests
hfth, to accept or reject commercial treaties
which the national government may have con-
cluded without the participation OF the Cuban
government; sixth, the framing OF the colonial
tariffs acting In accord with the peninsulaI
government In scheduling articles OF mutual
commerce between the mother country and the
colonies.
Proposed Legislative Conditions.
Before introducing or voting upon bill, the
Cuban government, or the chambers, will lay
the project before the central government anC
hear It's opinion thereon, all the correspondence
In such regard being public Finally, all con-
hcts of jurisdiction arising between the differ
ent municipal and peninsular authorities or be-
tween the latter and insular executive power
and which, from their nature, may not be refer
rab,e to the central government for decision
shall be submitted to the courts
Recession with Honor by Spain Impossible
That the government of Sagasta has entered
upon course from which recession with hono
is impossible can hardly be questioned; that IL
the few weeks II has existed IL has made ear
nest OF the sincerity OF its professions is unde
niable | shall not impugn its sincerity MOI
, should impotence be suffered to embarrass 1
In the task IL has undertaken. 1t is honestly
due to Spain. and TO our friendly relations will
Spain, that she should be given n reasonable
, chance to realize her expectations and to prov
I the asserted efficacy OF the new order OF thing
! TO which she stands irrevocably committed.
She has recalled the commander whose bruta
orders infiamed tle American mind and shocke,
the civilized world. She has modified the hor
S rible order OF concentration and has undertaken
A to care for the helpless and permit those VIII
desire to resume the cultivation OF their field
TO do So and assures them the protection o
: the Spanish government In their lawful occu
pations. She has just released the "Competi
y tor prisoners heretofore sentenced to death
: and who have been the subject OF repeate
g diplomatic correspondence during both thi
Q anu the preceding administration.
: Not an American Citizen Now Under Ar
$ rest.
! Not single American citizen is now unde
arrest or in confinement In cuba OF whom thi
: government has any knowledge. The neares
! future will demonstrate whether the indis
I pensable condition OF righteous peace, jus
: alike to the Cubans and TO Spain, as well Q
I equitable TO oil our interests so Intimately IN
voved In the welfare OF Cuba, Is likely to be at
I tanned. II not the exigency OF flrther and otht
: action by the United States will remain I
a be taken. When that time comes that actio
. will be determined In the line OF the indis