Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-10

President Grants Views.
The wise utterances of President Grant In
his memorable message of December T.,
1875, are slgnally relevant 10 the present
situation In Cuba, and 1t may be wholesome
low to recall them. At that time a ruinous
conflict had Tor seven years wasted the
island. During all those years
III utter disregard of the laws of civilized
warfare and of the just demands of bu-
manity. which called forth expressions Of
condemnation from the nations OF Christ
;ndom, continued undated,
At that juncture General Grant uttered
these words, which now, as then, sum up
the elements of the problem. "A recogni-
ton of the indepen dence of Cuba being, In
my mind impracticable and indie feasible,
the question which next presents itself Is
that of the recognition of belligerant rights
ir the parties to the contest.
Such recognition entails upon the coun-
try according the rights which flow from
II difilcut and compile ated duties, and re :
luires the exaction from the contending
parties of the strict observance of their
rights and obligations 1t confers the right
Of search upon the high seas by vessels OF
both parties; 1t would subject the carrying
of arms and munitions of war, which now
may be transpoi ted freely and without In
corruption, in vessels of the United States.
10 detention and to possible seizure; 1t would
give rise to countless veXatious questions,
would release the parent government from
responsibility for acts done by the insur-
gents and would invest Spain with the
right to exercise the supervision recognized
by our treaty of 1895 over our commerce on
the high seas, very large part of which, in
its traffic between the Atlantic and the Gulf
states, and between all of them and the
states on the Pacific, passes through the
waters which wash the shores OF Cuba
The exercise of this supervision could
scarce fail to lead, if not to abuses, GER
tanlv to collisions perilous to the pea ceful
rela ions of the two states. There can be
little doubt as to what result such SUI
would before long draw this ma
ton 1t would be unworthy of the United
States TO inaugurate the possibilities of
such results, by measures of questionable
right or expediency or by any indirection.
While according the equal beligerent
rights defined by public law to each party
in our ports .disfavors would be imposed
on both, which, while nominally equal,
would weigh heavily in behalf of Spain her.
self. Possessing navy and controlling the
ports of Cuba her maritime rights could be
asserted not only for the military invest
ment of the island, but up to the margin of
our own territorial waters, and condition
Of things would exist for wa ich the Cubans
within M eir own domain could not hope to
create parallel; while its creation through
aid or sympathy from within our domain
would be even more impossible than now,
with the additional obligations of inter-
national neutrality we would perforce as
,umei'
Against Intervention Now.
The cnfor cement of this enlarged and
oncrous code of neutrality would only be
within our own Jurisdiction by
and and sea and applicable by our own in
'trume ntalities 1t could impart to the
United States no jurisdiction between
spain and the insurgents 1t wolld give the
United States no right of Intervention to
enforce the conduct of the strife within the
paramount authority of Spain according to
he international code of war.
For these reasons 1 regard the recogni-
ion of the belligerency of the Cuban insur-
cents as now unwlse and therefore mad
nissabie. Should that step hereafter be
leemed wise as measure o right and duty
he executive will take 1t.
Intervention upon humanitarian grounds
las been frequently suggested and has not
allied to receive my most anxious and earn
IS. consider alton. But should such step
De now taken when it is apparent that
lopeful change has supervened in the poll
cy of Spain toward Cuba?
TT at the government of Sagasta has en-
cred upon course from which re cession
With honor is impossible, can hardly be
Questioned; that In the few weeks it has ex-
sted it has made earnest of the sincerity
# its professions Is undeniable. I shall not
mpugn its sincerity. nor should impatience
Ne suffered to embarrass it in the task Il
las undertaken. 1t is honestly due to Spain
md to our friendly relationr with Spain
hat she should be given reasonable chance
o realize her eXpectati ons and to prove the
sscrted efficacy of the new order of things
o which she stands irrevocably committed.
'he has recalled the commander whose
rutal orders infamed the American mind
nd shocked the civilized world She has
modified the horrible order of concentra.
ION and has undertaken to care for the
Helpless and permit those who desire 10 re-
umc the cultivation of their fields to 40 so,
nd assures them OF the protection of the
spanish government in their lawful occu.
ations. She has just released the Com
etitor prisoners heretofore sentenced to
cath, and who have been the subject o.
epeated diplomatic correspondence dur
ng both this and the preceding administra-
ion. Not single American citizen Is now
nder arrest or in confinement in Cuba. of |
nom this government has any knowledge |
The Policy Of this Country.
The near future will demonstrate whether |
he indispensable condition of righteous |
eace just alike to the CubanS and to Spain
S we'll as equitable to all our interests so in |
mately involved in the welfare of Cuba, Ia |
kelly to be attained. If not the exigency |
further and other action by the United |
tltes will remain to be taken. When that |
me comes that action will be determined |
l the line of the indisputable right and |
uty 1t will be faced without misgiving |
+ hcsitancy, in the light of the obligation |
his government owes to itself 10 the peo-
lc who have conflded to 1t the protection |
their interests and honor, and TO hui
ianity,
Sure the right. keeping free from all
ffensc ourselves actuated only by upright
nd patriotic considers tions moved neither
y passion nor selnshness. the government
Ill continue its watc hful care over the
ghts and property of American citizens.
nd will abate none of its efforts to bring
bout by peaceful agencies peace which
nall be honorable and enduring. If it shall
GREATER he a duty imposed by our obliga-
ons to ourselves. to civilization and hui
lauity, to intervene with force it shall be
. tn out fault on our part, and only because |
he necessity for such action will be so clear
5 to command the support and approval of
le civilized world ,4f 80.
HawaiHs Annexation Urged.
BY special message dated the 10th day
June last laid be fore the Senate treaty
gned that day by the plenipotentiaries of
lie United States and of the republic of Ha-
ali. having for its purpose the incorpora-
on Of the Hawaiian islands as an integral
- h.,T -att ah Gfat nd