New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-07
FOREIGN RELATIONS.

FOREIGN RELATIONS.
He must be n poor American who IS not
pleased with the Presidents utterances concern
inc Cuba The simple record of the achleve-
ments Of the Administration in the last nine
months. as modestly rehearsed, Is ample TO sat
,sfy the most jealous upholder of American
rights and honor. There were more than
score Of American citizens In Cuban tals. some
Of them under sentence Of death. To-day, at
the demand Of this Government every one IS
at liberty. Spain refused to consider any med!
alton or representations by this Government
looking 10 cessation Of hostties. Now she
appreciates the friendly purposes OF this Gov
eminent" and admits that our country IS deep
CIV affected by the war In Cuba and that lis
desires for peace are just" Those two facts
indicate success Of American diplomacy IN
dealing with Spain quite without precedent IN
the long history Of Cuban troubles. To what
extent the United States has Influenced tht
Spanish Government In It's radical change or
attitude toward Cuba is not even to be specr-
lated upon The facts Of record are these:
Nine months ago Spain declared that the only
way TO pacify Cuba was 70 reduce the insur-
gents TO submission, and II was trying % do
the latter by means Of what the President just
~ describes as not civilized warfare but ex
termination. Against that cruel policy the
United States Government firmly and earnestly
protested. To-day Spain has recalled the com
"mander whose brutal orders infamcd the
American mind and shocked the civilized
world She has modified the horrible order
"of concen ration And, IN a good faith above
all question. she offers to Cuba a scheme Of
reforms and sef-government comparable VIII
the most liberal ever made by a parent coun-
try to a colony.
In this UNNECESSARILY ameorated state OF az
fairs what Is the further duty OF this Nation?
On this point the President is troubled with
no doubts, nor should any one be who thought
fully reads his convincing discussion OF IL.
FOrcbe annexation would be a crime. He
does not consider IT, Recognition OF indepen-
dence or Of begerency would be inadvisable.
largely for the very same reasons which TWEEN
ty-two years ago constrained this Government
to withhold such action. The extended quotation
from President Grants Message OF December
1875, which the President makes. s entirely apt
to the existing situation. Recognition, and the
consequent exercise OF the right OF search
the seas and seizure OF goods contraband Of
war would be onerous and embarrassing 10 this
country, and, while theoretically serving both
Z
vious reasons operate heavily to the advantage
of Spain Nor does the President regard more
favorably the suggestion Of intervention upon
humanitarian grounds Whatever provocation
to such course there might have been In the
dark days Of Weylerism, there can be little
now, since Spain has entered upon human.
and clement policy. On the contrary, 1t is.
the President we'll says, honestly due to Spain
hot cho chould HOY ali itv
In which to realize her expectations and to vim
dictate the efficacy Of the new order Of things
to which she stands irrevocaby committed.
That does not mean that this country Is to &C
qulesce in indefinite prolongation OF the
struggle, nor that this Government is to relax
In the least It's watchful sollctude for American
interests at the scene Of strife What the pres
ent Administration has already accomplished In
respect to Cuba Is ample guarantee Of It's faith
fulness and efficiency in future, no matter what
issues may arise While thus adopting a con-
ciliatory and expectant policy. the President
does not hesitate to speak with the utmost en-
ergy in vindlcatou Of American rights and good
faith. The charge of failure to prevent fbus-
terlng he denies with unequivocal emphasis.
That this Government has. by constant watch
fulness and at the cost Of millions Of dollars,
prevented the departure Of a single expedition
or armed vessel from these shores Is a sufficient
answer to the complaints Of Spain.
Other foreign topics are Of less Importance,
and receive less attention In the Message though
they are all treated in a straightforward and
convincing manner Ratification Of the Ha-
waian annexation treaty is urged on grounds
Of fitness, right and Justice, and not of mere
/ expedlency. and assurance is given that friendly
relations with Japan will not be jeoparded
thereby. The sealing controversy with Great
Britain Is still unsettled, and the President Is
perforce content to report that pegotatons are
/ In progress. An earnest word is spoken in be-
half of international arbitration, and a liberal
policy for the promotion Of American repre-
sentaton at the Paris Worlds Fair of 1900 is
urged With these and few minor topics
briefly considered, the foreign relations Of the
country dismissed That no routine rollcall
OF the nations OF the globe Is made. according
to the stereotyped formula, Is not to be con-
strued into neglectfulness Of American inter
ests or unwillingness to lay complete state
ments Of affairs before Congress and the people
1t merely means. no doubt, that In an eminenty
practical and busnesslike manner the President
has chosen to devote his Message to thorough
presentments of topics Of general and COM
manding interest. leaving the rest for the in
quiry Of those whom 1t may concern. In this
he will win the gratitude Of people too often
weared with prolix and perfunctory chronicles
Of small beer. His treatment Of the salient
themes which we have mentioned Is worthy Of
the best days of American craftsmanship. and
may well be accepted as full assurance that
during his Administration the Government Of
the United States in Its dealings with all peo-
pies will ever be. In his own words, sure Of
"the right, free from all offence moved neither