New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-21
THE CUBAy CORRESPONDENCE.

The CORRESPONDENCE on the Cuban question
between Mr.. Olney and SenOr de LONE Is no
novelty to readers Of The Tribune, who were
long ago informed in these columns of Its exist
ence and purport. Now that the literal text OF
the letters Is made public, It Is to be observed
that they contain nothing new. The Amerl-
can Secretary adhered to the traditional policy
Of this Government With few changes OF
dates and figures, his letter might have been
written under the Administration OF Grant, II
not under that Of Polk or John Quincy ADAMS
The Spanish Minister in return. made precisely
the same reply that the Madrid Government mas
often made to this countrys representations
The whole correspondence Is merely new edl-
ton, adapted to present dates and conditions, Oh
the old controversy that has been going on III
termlttently, for three-quarters OF century
1.-THE United States" says Mr.. Olney, mas no
designs upon Cuba, and no designs against the
Sovereignty Of Spain" So said Secretary Al
ans in 1923; so said Secretary Webster, ana
Secretary Everett, and Secretary Fish. Mt Vi
ney calls attention to the Industrial and CONNER
cial ruin Of the island, in which American IN
terests are largely involved as his predecessors
did again and again. He offers THE GOOD olllces
of the United States for cooperation with Spain
In the pacfcation Of the island on terms that
will secure self government to the Cubans ana
vet preserve the sovereignty of Spain. Presi-
dent Grant In his first annual'message IN 1901
reported the making Of precisely such an Offer
Finally, Mr. Olney urges upon the Spanish Min
lister the great desirability of a prompt ending
Of the war; and the anxiety OF this Government
therefor. exactly what former Secretaries and
Presidents often urged upon Spain in substan-
TALLY identical terms.
Seilor de LONE, on the part Of Spain. makes
the old reply, that pacfcation OF CUBA must
begin with the complete submission of the rebels
TO the mother country. Until that is erected
no terms will he considered. 1t would be rash
TO estimate the number Of times such declara-
ton was made by the Madrid Government dur
ing the Ten Years War. And then the Spanish
Minister repeats the old complaint, that interna-
tonal law is constantly being violated by or IN
the United States, to the aid and comfort OF the
rebels, and the old suggestion that this country
can best tender It's good Offices by stopping fill
clustering and thus assisting Spain to suppress
the instruction. To that complaint the Span
ish Minister is himself the best possible reply
He has served his Government In this country
far too effectively for any such violation OF law
TO have been possible. Thanks partly to his
diligence, and partly to the scrupulosity OF the
Washington Administration, this Government
has maintained an attitude Of benevolent neu-
trality above all reprOach.
1t Is an old story, rehearsed anew, and per-
haps to be repeated yet again But 1t can scarce
" last forever. The slow years turn ever for
ward, never backward. The power OF SPAN
upon her colonies is waning, and must one day
cease The demand of the people for selfgOv-
eminent Is growing stronger, and must some
time prevail But beyond that inevitable change
there lie harassing problems, such as more than
one emanclpated Spanish colony has found al
most to overtax its strength, and such as even
the United States has not yet fully settled. The
end of the old story will come. But it is TO be
sought not lightly and heedessly, but with grave
appreciation of its mighty import.