Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-12-06
1His COUNTRY AND CUBA,

spsin's Msshod of Wa Dsprsesssd and
Wsyisss r.icy D,tisred . Failure.
The president devotes much space
TO the consideration Of the Cuban
question. which he says is the most
problem OF our foreign re.
lss'ons. In summarizing the bis
tory OF former outbreaks, the presi-
dent comes down to the present in
surrect,on, speaking Of its remarka.
ble increase, its tenacious existence
against enormous forces massed BY
spain. the widespread destruction Of
property and she disregard Of civil
ired codes Of war by both sides. lie
says the conditions give rise to the
gravest apprehension. Of Weyler's
concentration policy. he says, il was
an utter failure as . war measure.
IL is not civilized warfare. but exter-
minssion. Against this abuse of the
rights Of var. Ihe president says he
felt constrained on repeated occasions
TO enter the firm and honest protest
OF this government lie outlines
his instructions TO Minister Wood.
ford. which we're In substance 10
impress upon the Spanish govern
meat the sincere wish Of The Uni,ed
States TO lend its aid toward ending
the var BY q peaceful and lasting re-
suit. just and honorable TO Spain and
TO the Cubans. IL WAS also asked
whether Spain of its own vo,it,on
should not make the proposals for a
settlement, and IL 70 sail be cou d
not contemplate an indstiniie period
for the Accomplishment Of ihis re.
sula Tho spanish reply to Wood
ford was. in the presidents opinion,
in the direction oi a better under-
standing. The president declares
the Spanish disposition to charge us
with failure to meet our interna-
tional duties is baseless, and points
to the efforts the government has
made and the millions spent to per.
form its full duty.
We Nave Not Abr gated Oar Rights.
He also says that the fact that no
military expedition or armed vessel
hss le;t our shores has already been
automatically represented to Spain.
promising that throughout all the
horror and danger to our peace the
United States has never abrogated
its right TO determine the policy O..
to Cuba. The president points out
that Of untried measures there re-
mains only the recognition of the
insurgents as bcliigerents, the
recognition Of the independence Of
Cubs. the neunal intervention to
end tho war by imposing q rational
compromise between the contestants.
or su Intervention in favor OF ono o.
the other party. He says: "Ispeak
not of forcible annexation, for that
csnuot be thought OF. That by our
code OF morality would be criminal
aggression" Taking up the ques-
tion OF belligerency, the presidsnt
qnotes ~ length from Psesiden,
Grants message Dec. Z. rs. wherein
he declared that the conditions In
Cabs warranted neither recognition.
independence nor recognition Of bell
igerercy.
II, adds that, moreover. recogni-
tion Of brlligerency would confer
upon neither party 10 the conflict 3
status not heretofore sc,uslly pos
sessed. while IL would weigh heavily
In Spslu's behalf in giving her the
right OF search on the hign seas aud
extending her maritime rights to the
mNg,n OF our territorial waters
For these reasons the president re
guds recognition OF belligerency q.
unsise aud therefore inadmissiole
should that s,ep hereafter be deemed
sise. - . mstter Of right aud duty.
ths executive will take 1t. lie
points to the hoptial charge
10 the spanish policy to the
pledge Of reform and to the abate-
mtnt OF the horrors OF war rs
rsssOns sgsinst intervention on hu-
naa,,ssisu gSopn1.. lie points to
many co cessiops sireAdy nade. e
the modification Of the horrible order
-. cnucen'ra,ion. 70 the release Of
the cnn.,-,itor prisoners and the
fact shst set 9 sisgle American citi-
rsn 10 nov Sssss arrest in Cuba. and
.sys the 1sa, !4,urc vill .enonstra.e
she'hsr righteous pesss 10 iiisy to
be attained. II not che silgenoy oi
fuStssr and other action BY the
Uni,st ststss will remain TO be
ta<en.
~ 10 navost
In regard TO Hawaii the president
says annexation should be ACCOM-.
plished rapidly. reviewing his former
arguments in favor OF anne xation.
and says thss legislation viii be re-
quirsd ia the event Of rati6sation oi
the eeoatv and a\sisas that inst uro.