The Mena weekly star., 1897-12-08

conflict the aid of congresss was sought in . special message and nader the appropriation of April 4 lSa7 effective aid has Been given to American citizens in Cuea. Many of them at their own request nave been returned to the United States
 Instructions to60ur Minister
 The instructions given to our minister to Spain before his departure for his post directed him to impress upon thas government the sim core wish of the United States to lend it's aid toward the ending of the war in Cuba by reach ing peaceful and las6ing result just and hon. orable alike to Spain and to the Cuban people These instructions reoited the character and duration of the contest, the widespread losses it entails, the burdens and restraints 1t imposes upon us with constant disturbance Of national interests and the injury resulting from an inden- nite continuance of this state of things. It was stated that at this juncture our government was constrained to seriously inquire if the time was not ripe when Spain, of her own volition moved by her own interests and every sentiment of humanity, should put a stop to this destructive war and make proposals of settlement honorable to herself and just to her Cuban colony It was urged that as a netghborfng nation, with large interests in Cuba, we could be required to wait only req sonable time for the mother country to establish it's authority and restore peace and order within the borders of the island; that we could not contemplate an indefinite period for the accomplishment of this result. No solution was proposed to which the slightest idea of humiliation to Spain could attach. and indeed precise proposals were wi hheld to avoid em- barrassnent to that government All that was asked or expected was that some safe way might be speedily provided and permanent peace restored
 Reply to Our Note.
 The reply to our note was received on the 23d day of October It is in the direction of a fer 1n1p piafa fria ly purposes of this government It admits that our country is deeply affected by the war in Cuba and that it's desires for peace are just It declares that the present Spanish govern ment is bound by every consideration to a 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 advocat- ed by the present premier. without halting for any consideration in the path which in it's judg- ment leads to peace. The military operations. it is said. will continue but will be humane and conducted with all regards for private rights, being accompanied by political action leading to the autonomy of Cuba while guarding Span ish sovereignty. This, it is claimed will result in investing Cuba with distinct personality: the island to be governed by an executive and by locas council or chamber reserving to Spain the control of the foreign relations, the army and navy and judicial administration. To accomplish this the present government pro poses to modify legislation by decree, leaving the Spanish cortes. with the aid of Cuban sem ators and deputies, to solve the economic problem and properly distribute the existing debt
 Tn the absenes of declaration Of the meas urcs tflat the goverMment proposes to take in carryins ous its proffer Of good oiices it sug- Eaats that @Uailg be legt a&k a anduct milita- iS Ggefet -ea& aAt grAat potdi0ai fa5 orlns, while tne United States for its part shall en- f fy.t.lF tt. sistance which it is asserted tho insurgents re- eeive from this country The supposition of an indefinite prolongatiou of the war is denied. It is asserted that the western provinces are already well nigh reclaimed; that the planting or cane and tobacco therein has been resumed, and that by force of arIns and new and ample re- forms very early and complete pacifcation is hoped for. The immediate amelieraton of ex- tsting conditions under the new administration of Cnoau affairs is predicted and therewithal the disturbance and all occasion for any change of attitude on the part of the United States. Discussion of tho question of international duties and responsibilities of the United States, as Spain understands them, is pre- sented, with on apparent disposition to charge us with failure in this regard. This charge is without any basis in fact. It could not have been made if Spain had been cognizant of the constant efforts this government has made at the cost of millions and by the employment of the administrative machinery of the nation at command to perform it's full duty according to the law of nations. That it has successfully prevented the departure of a single military expeditiln or armed vessel from our shores in violation of our laws would seem to be a suf- hcient answer But of this aspect of the Span lsh note it is not necessary to speak further now
 Firm in the conviction of wholly performed obligation due response to this charge has beem made in diplomatic issues Throughout all these horrors and dangers to our own peace this government has never in any way abrogated it's sovereign prerogative of preserving to itself the determination of it's policy and course ac- cording to it's own high sense of right and in consonance with the dearest interests and convictions of our own people should the pro- longation of the strife so demand.
 Of the untried measures there remain only: Recognition of the insurgents as belligerents; recognition of the independence Of Cuba; neu- tral intervention to end the war by imposing rational compromise between the contestants, and intervention in favor of one or the other party. speak not Of forci0le annexation for that cannot be thought of That by our code of morality, would be criminal aggression
 Recognition of Eseiiigerency
 Recognition Of the belligerency Of the Cuban insurgents has often been canvasss,i- -Fss a pos sible if not inevitable step both in regard to the previous ten years struggle and during the present war. I am not unmindful that the two houses of congress in the spring of 1895 ex- pressed the opinion by concurrent resolution that condition of public war existed requiring or Justifying the recognition of state of bellig- erency fn Cuba and during the extra session the senate voted joint resolution of like import which. however, was not brought to a vote in the house In the presence of these significant expressions of the sentiment of the legislative