The San Francisco call., 1897-12-07

! consideration. But should such a step be now
taken when it is apparent that a hopeful
Change has supervened in the policy OF Spain
toward Cuba? A new government has taken
office Ill the mother country. 1t is pledged in
advance to the declaration that all the effort
in the world cannot suffice to maintain peace
In Cuba by the bayonet; that vague promises
OF reform after subjugatio afford no solution
OF the insular problem; that with a subst1tu-
tiou OF commanders must come change OF
the past system of warfare for one in har-
mony with a new pol cy which shall no longer
aim to drive the Cubans to the horrible alter
native OF taking to the thicket or succumbing
In misery; that reforms must be instituted in
accordance with the needs and circumstances
OF time, and that these reforms, while de-
signed TO give full autonomy, TO create virtual
entity and self control ed administrations.
shall yet conserve AID affirm the sovereignty
OF pain by just distribution of powers and
burdens upon basis OF mutusl interest un-
tainted by methods of selfish expediency.
The first acts OF the new Government lie in
these honorable paths The policy of cruel
rapine and extern ination that so long shocked
the universal sentime mt OF humanity has
been reversed. Uader the new military m
mander broad clemency s proffered. Meas
ures have already bsen set on ioot to relieve
the horrors of starvation. Tie power of the
Spanish armies, it is asserted. is to be used not
to spread ruin and desolation, bu: to protect
the resumption of peaceful agricultural pur-
suits and productive industries. That past
methods are futile to force peace by subju-
CATION is freely admitted. and that ruin with
out conciliation must inevitably fail TO win
for Spain the fidelity of a contented depend
ency.
DEGREES in application of the foresha allowed
reforms have already been promulgated. The
full text of these DEGREES has not been received
but, as furnished in telegraphic summary,
are: All civil and electoral rights of penin-
sular Spaniards are, in virtue OF existing con-
stitutional ass emily. forthwith extended to
colonial Spaniards. a scheme of autonomy
has been proclaimed by decree. to become
effective upon ratification by the Cortes. 1t
creates Cuban Parliament, which, with the
insular executive, can consider and vote upon
all subjects affecting local order and Interests
! possessing unlimited powers, save to mat
terS OF state, war and the navy, 10 W hich
! the Governor-General acts by mis- own author
| ity as the delegate OF the central Government.
| This Parliament receives the oath of the
Governor General TO preserve faithfully the
liberty and privileges of the colony and to
| ii the Colonial Secretaries are responsible. 1t
has the right TO propose to the central Govern
ment, through the
Spain'S Better Temper Governor General,
to Be Fairly Tested. notifications of the
national C h a e T
and to invite new projects OF law or executive
| measures in the interest OF the colony.
| Besides its local powers it is compe tent.
| first, TO regulate electoral regIstl alton and
| procedure, and prescribe the qualifications of
| electors and the manner of exercising sui
| frage; second, to organize courts of justice
with native Judges from mem bers of the local
bar; third, to frame the insular budget both
as to expenditures and revenues to meet the
| Cuban share of the national budget, which
| latter will be voted by the national Cortes
with the assistance of Cuban Senators and
Deputies; fourth, to initiate or take part in
the negotiations of the national Government
| or commercial treaties which may affect
Cuban interests; fifth, TO accept or reject COM
mercial treaties which tha national Govern
ment may have cone. ed without the par
| ticipation of the Cuban Government; sixth to
| frame the colonial tariff, acting in accord
with the peninsulsr Government in scheduling
articles of mutual commerce between the
| mother country and the colonies. Before in
| Producing or voting upon bill, the Cuban
| Government or the Chambers will lay the
project before the central Government and
| hear its opinion thereon; all the correspond
| ence in such regard being made public.
Finally, all conflicts of jurisdiction arising be-
| tween the diff rent municipal, provincial and
| insuiar assemblies, or between the latter and
| the insular executive power, and which from
| their nature may not be referabe to the CEN
| tral Government for decision, shall be sub
| mitted to the courts
That the Government of Sagasta has entered
| upon course from which recession with
| honor is impossible can hardly be questioned
| that in the few weeks it has existed it has
made earnest Of the sincerity OF its professions
| is undeniable. 1 shall not impugn its sin
| cerity, nor should impstience be suffered to
embarrass II in the task II has undertaken. 1t
| is honestly due to Spain and TO our friendly
relations with Spain that she should be given
| a reasonable chance to realize her expecta-
| tlons and 10 prove the asserted efficacy OF the
| new order Of things TO which she stands ire.
vocably committed. She has recalled the COM
| mander whose brutal orders inflamed the
American mind and shocked the civilized
world. She has modif fled he horrible order OF
concentration aud has undertaken to care for
the helpless and permit those who desire to
| resume the cultivation of their fields to 90 so
and assures them of the protection of the
| Spanish Government in their lawful occupa-
| tions. She has just released the Competitor
prisoners heretofore sentenced to death and
| who have been the subject of repeated dipIo-
matte correspondence during both this and
| the preceding administration.
Not single American citizen is now under
! arrest or in confinement i'll C ba, of whom
this Government has any knowledge The
near future will demonstrate whether the in
dspensable condition of a righteous peace
just alike TO the Cubans and to Spain as well
a equitable to all our in nterests so intimately
involved in the welfare of Gu ba is likely to be
attained. II not, the eXigency of further aud
other action by the United States will remain
TO be taken. When that time comes that
action will be determined in the line of the
indis pu table right and duty. 1t will be laced.
without misgiving or hesitancy, in. the light
of the obligation this Government owes to
itself, to the people who have confided to it
the protection of their interests and honor,
and to humanity.
Sure OF the right, kee ping free from all of
tense ourselves, actuated only by upright and
patriotic considerations, moved neither by
passion nor selfshness, the Government will
continue its watchful concern over the rights
and property OF American citizens, and will
abate none of its efforts to bring about bv
peaceful agencies a peace which shall be hon.
orable and enduring. If it shall hereafter be a
duty imposed by our obi cations to ourselves
to civ liza III nd h anti