Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-12-09

IL imposes upon us, with constant dis
turbance of national interests and the in
jury resulting from an indefinite contin-
uance of this state of things. 1t was stated
that at this juncture our government was
constrained to seriously inquire II the time
was not ripe when Spain of her own Volt
ton, moved by her own interests and every
sentiment of humanity, should put q stop
posals of settlement honorable.to herself
and just to her Cuban colony 1t was urged
that as a neighboring nation, with large in
wait only reasonable time for the mother
country to establish it's authority and re-
store order within the borders of the island |;
that we could not contemplate as indefi-
mite period for the accomplishment of this
result.
No Humiliation Suggested.
No solution was proposed to which the
slightest idea of humiliation to Spain
were withheld to avoid embarrassment to
that government. All that was asked
or expected was that some safe way might
be speedily provided and permanent peace
restored. 1t SO CHANGED that the consider
alton of this offer, addressed to the same
Spanish administration which had declined
for more than two years had poured men
and treasure into Cuba in the fruitless ef-
fort to suppress the revolt fell to others.
Between the departure of Gen. Wood
ford, the new envoy, and his arrival in
Spain, the statesman who had shaped the
policy of his country fell by the hand of an
assassin. and although the cabinet of the
late premier still held office and received
from our envoy the proposals he bore, that
cabinet gave place within few days there
after to new administration under the
leadership of Sagasta.
Spain Promises Much.
The reply to our note was received on the
2Sd day of October. 1t is in the direction of
better understanding. 1t appreciates the
friendly purposes of this government. 1t
admits that our country Is deeply affected
by the war in Cuba, and that its desires
for peace are just. 1t declares that the
present Spanish government is bound by
every consideration to change of policy
that should satisfy the United States and
pacify Cuba within a reasonable time.
To this end Spain has decided to put into
effect the political reforms heretofore adj
yocated by the present premier without
hating for any consideration in the path
which in its judgment leads to peace. The
military operations it is said will continue
but will be humane and conducted with all
regard for private rights being accom-
panied by political action leading to the
autonomy Of Cuba while guarding Spanish
sovereignty. This, it is claimed, will result
In investing Cuba with a distinct person.
atty; the island to be governed by an ex-
ecutive and by local council or chamber,
reserving to Spain the control of the for
eign relations, the army and navy and the
judicial administration To accomplish
this the present government proposes to
ing the Spanish cortes, with the aid of
Cuban senators and deputies to solve the
economic problem and properly distribute
the existing debt. In the absence of
declaration of the measure that this gov
eminent proposes to take in carrying out
it's proffer of good offices it suggests that
Spain be left free to conduct military
operations and grant political reforms,
while the United States, for it's part, shall
enforce it's neutral obligations and cut off
the assistance which 1T is asserted the in
surgents receive from this country. The
supposition 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 to-
pacco therein has been resumed. and that
by force of arms and new and ample re-
forms very early and complete pacification
is hoped for.
Have Not Failed in Our Duty.
The immediate amelioration of existing
conditions under the new administration
of Cuban affairs is predicted, and Herewith
all the disturbance and all occasion for
any change of attitude on the part of the
United States; Discussion OF the question i
tiles of the United States, as Spain under
stands them, is presented, with an appar-
ent disposition to charge us with failure in
this regard. This charge Is without any
basis in fact. 1t could not have been made
if Spain had been cognizant of the con-
slant efforts this government has made, at
the cost of millions and by the employment
of the administrative machinery of the ma
ton. That it has successfully prevented
the departure Of a single military eXpe-
dition or armed vessel from our shores s IN
sufficient answer. But OF this aspect or
the Spanish note 1t is not necessary to
speak further now. Firm In the conviction
of a wholly performed obligation, due re-
spouse to this charge has been made in dip
lomatic course.
Throughout all these horrors and dangers
to our own peace this government has
never broken or in any way abroSated its
sovereign prerogative of reServing to itself
the determinations of it's policy and course
g ~ h \ or0 RI
according to its own high sense Oh rignt aIte
and convictions of our own people should
the prolongation of the strife so demand.
The Untried Measures.
OF the untried measures there remain
only: Recognition OF the i ms igS a.
ence of Cuba, neutral intervention TO end
the war by imposing rational compromise
between the contestants, and interyenuoih
not of forcible annexation, for that can,
not be thought of. That by our code of
morality would be criminal aggression.
Recognition of Insurgents.
Recognition of the belligerency of the
vassed as possible if not inevitable step
both in regard to the previous ten years
struggle, and during the present war. am
not unmindful that the two houses of con-
gress in the spring of 1886 expressed the
opinion by concurrent resolution that a
condition of public war existed, requiring
or 1uSllIyHnS the recognition Oh the Sldle Ol
belligerency in Cuba, and during the eX-
ira session the senate voted joint resolu-
ton of like import, which, however, was
not brought to vote in the house of repre-
sentativeS In the presence of these sig
nificant expressions of the sentiment of the
legislative branch it behooves the execu-
tive to soberly consider the conditions I'M
der which so important a measure must
needs rest for justification. 1t is to be
seriously considered whether the Cuban
insurrection possesses beyond dispute the
attributes of statehood, which alone de-
mand the recognition of belligerency in it's
favor. Possession, in short, of the es-
sential qualifications of sovereignty by the
insurgents and the conduct of the war by
them according to the received code of
war are no less important factors toward
the determination of the problem of bel
ligerency than are the influences and con-
sequences of the struggle upon the internal
poIlcy OF the recognizing state.
Quotes President Grant
The utterances of President Grant in his
memorable message of December Z 1875
are signally relevant to the present situa-
ton in Cuba and 1t may be wholesome now
to recall them. At that time a ruinous
confict had for seven years wasted the
neighboring island Durineiall those years
an utter disregard Of the laws of civilized
warfare and of the just demands of hu-
manly, which called forth expressions of
concentration from the nations of chris
tendon continued undated. Desolation
and ruin pervaded that productive region,
enormously affecting the commerce of ali
commercial nations, but that of the United
~ 6z h..