Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1897-11-25
CUBAN PROBLEM
Will Receive Much Attention in
the Presidents Message.
The Administration Will Not Under
take to Guarantee Autonomy.
Sincere Hope is Entertained That the New
Ministry May End the War at an Early
Date-Should IL Fail This Govern
nent May Intervene.

New York, Nov pa dispatch to
the Tribune from Washington says:
Cuba and the currency win be the
leading topics in the presidents mes
sage. 1t is understood that the dis
cussion of the Cuban situation will be
comprehensive. 1t has already been
explained what the state department
has prepared in reply to the
Spanish note regarding flibuster-
ing. Whether the president will
incorporate the substance of this in
his message, or leave it to go in
as part of the regular diplomatic corre-
spondence, may be determined later, but
the message will define the Cuban pol
icy of the administration affirmatively.
Members of congress with whom the
president has talked freely on the sub
ject have almost without exception
urged that this be done, and Mr.. Nc
liinley apparently has agreed with
them.
The reason given for this course is
apparent. While a sincere hope is en-
tertained that the Sagasta ministry
may end the war at an early date, the
possibility of its failure can not be
overlooked. In that event it is desira-
BILE for the policy of this country to be
known. A strong intimation is given
that in the failure of an end to the
present conditions in Cuba at an early
date no hesitation will be shown in the
United States making known it's posi-
tion of ultimate Intervention. Human
ity and commerce may both be made
the grounds for this action.
The belief is that the Cuban problem
will be solved without danger of war
between Spain and the United States,
and will be solved through the good
Offices of this country, but the expecta-
tion is that these good offices will be
exerted within a reasonable time after
| congress meets, and after the prospects
of the insurgents accepting or rejecting
autonomy are known beyond question.
If Cuba is actually pacified and
industry and trade are resumed that
condition is expected to speak for it.
self. The refusal of few insurgent
leaders to lay down their arms and the
continuance of a sort of bandit war
fare would not be interpreted by the
administration as the failure of auton-
omy. On the other hand, the continu-
ance of the present conditions would
hardly be accepted as evidence that the
island is pacifed.
Some misunderstanding is said to
exist in Spanish official circles regard
ing the position of the administration
after the decree of autonomy is ga
zetted. The administration would not
under any circumstances undertake to
guarantee autonomy. That Would be
making itself responsible for the CO.
lonial government of Cuba to the Span
ish authorities. But the presidents
good offices are eXerted toward giving
the policy of autonomy a fair trial.
The message is expected to make this
point clear beyond the possibility of
misunderstanding.
1t is the confident belief that the
presidents discussion of the Cuban
situation will tend to strengthen the
feeling that the administration will be
able to meet every phase of it in a
manner to satisfy the conservative
business interests of the country and
discourage radical or precipitate ac-
ton,