The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-07

ubNumDkIOn OF utO Nth0t hOllLThl1Lts lSICn
recognition. furthermore, will not confer
upon either party 70 . domestic conflict
to other States. Tho act of recognition usu.
ally takes the form Of solemn proclamation OF
neutrality, which ~recites the de facto condition
of bolliRcrency as its motive. H. annoinces a
domestic law OF neutrality in the declaring
s ssons u i a SUn'rsi i, the Tho nt prcsenss IL obl n,S:
and sS ' other, o. within Ti1; The iSrIsSistiio,n T u sRS
obligations at their own peril and cannot ex-
poet to be shielded from the consequences. Tho
right Of visit and search y. on ran the sens Sc =, and seizure
good prizes under admiralty law must, under in
ternational law, DO admitted ms q legitimate
consequence of q proclamation of belligercncy.
While according the equal bolligerent rights
defined by public law to zach party in our ports,
while nominSiiy equal, would weigh heavily II;
behalf of Spain herself. .PossessinG a navy and
controlling tho ports OF Cuba, her maritime
tary Investment Of the island, but up to the
margin of our own territorial waters, and q
Cubans within their own domain could not hone
to create q parallel, while it's creation through
aid or sympathy within our domainw would DO
even more impossible than now, with the add.
tiOnal obligations OF International neutrality
we would perforco assume.
The enforcement of this enlarged and onerous
code. of neutrality would only be influential
within our own jurisdiction by land and sea,
and applicable by our own nstrnmentalities. II
ton between Spain and the insurgents. It
would give the United States no right OF inter.
within the paramount authority OF Spain, &C.
cording to the international code Of war.
RECOGNITION OF BRLLIGERENCy uNw1sE.
For these reasons. l regard tho recognition Of
unwise and therefore inadmissible. Should that
step hereafter DO deemed wise as a measure of
right and duty the ESSeGntiye will take it;
been frequently suggested and has not failed TO
receive my most anxious and earnest considera-
when it is apparent. that a hopeful change has
s.upervened in the policy OF Spain toward Cuba 2
mo, new G sonn;Y has "a n taken office IL the
to the declaration that all the effort in
the world cannot suffice to maintain peace In
reform after su6jugation afford no solution Of
the insular problem; that with a substitution OF
s sSshma% "i War mTss f SS" Sns e in Ghq haTm OF the %i pSs 4
now policy, which shall no longer aim to drive
the Cubans to the horrible alternative OF taking
to the thicket or snccumbing 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
entity and self.controlled administration, shall
yet conserve and affirm the sovereignty of Spain
by a just distribution of powers and burdens,
upon a basis of mutual interest untainted by
methods Of selfish expcdiency.
those honorable paths. The policy Of cruel ra.
pine and determination that SO long shocked the
universal sentiment of humanity has been re-
yersed. Under the new military commander q
broad clemoncy is proffered. Measures have
already been set on foot to relieve the horrors
it is asserted. is to be used. not to spread ruin
and desolation. but to protect the resumption of
R mGS 6 asF1I,f ha, ra pursuits ms9hod and productive
force a peace by %subjugation lie freely admitted,
and that, ruin without Cancellation must inevi.
tably fail to win for Spain the fidelity OF q con-
tented dependency.
SPANS SCHEME OF
DEGREES in application of the foreshadowcd
reforms have already been promulgated. Tho
but as furnished in .telegraphic summary from
our Minister are: All civil and electoral rights
i in P eonstit@tio Span aathor ate; t fn x,Tthf e ot sSissi
to colonial Spaniards. A scheme of autonomy
has been proclaimed by decree. to become effec.
a Cuban Parliament which. with tho insular
executive. can consider and vote upon all
subjects affecting local order and interests. pos
sessing unlimited powers, save as to matters OF
State, war, and tho navy, as TO which the Gov
ernor-General acts by his own authority as the
delegate OF the central Government. This PRrlia-
ment receives tho oath OF the Governor-General
to preserve faithfully the liberties and privileges
are responsible. 1t has the right to propose to
the central government. through the Governor
General. notifications OF the national charter
and to invite new projects of law or executive
measures in the interest Of the colony.
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 suffragc; second, to
from members of the local bar; third. 10 frame
the insular budget both as to expenditures and
revenues. without limitation Of any kind. and
to set apart the revenues to meet the Cuban
share of the national budget, which latter would
BIO voted by, the, national Cores with the
fourth, to initiate or take part in the
negotiations OF the national Government for
terests: tifth. to accept or "'r Reject siee commercial
treaties which the national Government may
have concluded without the participation of tho
lonial tariff. acting in accord with the peninsu-
lar Government in scheduling articles of mu.
the colonies.
Before introducing or voting upon a bill. the
Cuban Government, or the Chambers, will Law
the project before the central Government and
hear 1t 5 opinion thereon, all the CORRESPONDENCE
in SUCH regard being made public. Finally. nil
conflicts or jurisdiction arising between the diff
fercnt municipal. provincial and insular assem-
blies, or between the latter und the insular OK
ecntive power. and which from their nature
for decision. shall be submitted to the courts.
SPAIN SHOULD HAVE A CHANCE.
That the Government of Sagasta has entered
upon n course from which recession with honor
4 impossiblc can hardly be questioned; that In
the few weeks 1t has existed II has made earnest
OF the sincerity OF its professions is undeniable.
l shall not impngn its sincerity, nor should i'm
patience be suffered to cImbarrass it in the task
Il has undertaken. 1t Is honestly due to Spain
and to our friendly relations, with Spain that
Blu uo'lih Dt v u IttSOuhuit CIHUte W Tthl-
lie her expectations and to prove the asserted
efficacy OF the new order of things To which sho
stands irrevocably committed. She has recalled
the commander whose brutal orders infiamed the
American mind and shocked the civilized world.
She has modified the horrible order OF concen-
%tration. and has undertaken TO care for the
helpless and permit those who desire TO resume
the cultivation OF their fields to do so. md as
snres thcm Of the protection of the Spanish
Government in their lawful occupations. She
has just released the Competitor" prisoners.
heretofore sentenced to death. and who have
been the subject of repeated diplomatic CORE
spondencc during both this and the preceding
Administration Not u single American citizen
is now In arrest or confinement In Cuba OF whom
this Government has any knowledge.
The near future will demonstrate whether the
Indispensable condition of u righteous peace,
Just alike to the Cubans and to Spain ms well.
equitable To all our interests so intimately in
yOlved in the welfare OF Cuba, is likely to be at
tanned. II not, tho ~cXigency of further and
other action by the United States will remain To
be taken. When that time comes that action
will be determined In the line OF indisputable
right and duty. 1t will be faced, without mis-.
giving or hesItancy, in the light OF tho obliga-
ton this Government owes to itself, to the
people who have coniidcd to II the protection of
their interests and honor, and to humanity.
sure Of the right, keeping Tree from all offence
ourselves. actunted only by upright and
patriotic considerations. moved neither by pas
sion nor seliishness, the Government will