The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-12-09

apathy from within our domain would
be even more impossible than now with
the additional obligation of international
neutrality we would perforce assume.
Deems Recognition Unwise Vow.
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
instrumentalities. 1t could impart to the
United States no jurisdiction between
Spain and the insurgents; it would give
the United States no right of intervention
TO enforce the conduct of the strife with
in the paramount authority of Spain ac-
cording to the international code of war.
For these reasons | regard the recogni-
ton of the belligerency of the insurgents
as now unwise and therefore inadmissl-
bic. Should that step hereafter he deem
ed wise as a measure of right and duty
the executive will take IT,
VIII Give SaEasta II Chance.
Intervention upon humanitarian
grounds has been frequently suggested
and has not failed to receive my most
anxious and earnest consideration. But
should such n step be now taken, when
it is apparent that hopeful change has
supervened in the policy Of Spain toward
Cuba. A new government has taken Of
flee in the mother country 1t Is pledged
in advance to the declaration that all eff
forts in the world can not suffice to maln-
tain peace in Cuba by the bayOnct; that
vague promises of reform after subju-
CATION afford no solution of the insular
problem; that with a substitution of com
manders must come change of the past
system of warfare for one in harmony
with new policy which shall not longer
aim to drive the Cubans TO the ''horri-
bic alternative of taking to the thickct
or succumbing in misery that reforms
must be instituted in accordance with
the needs and circumstances of the line
and that these reforms, which designed
TO give full autonomy to the colony and to
create n virtual entity and self controlled
administration, shall yet conserve and af-
firm the sovereignty of Spain by just
distribution Of powers and burdens upon
n basis of mutual interest unattended by
those Of selfish eXediency.
sagnsta's Good beginning.
The first acts of the new government
lie in these honorable paths. The policy
of cruel rapine and determination that
so long shocked the universal sentiment
Of humanity has been reversed. Under
the new military commander Il broad
clemency is preferred. Measures have
already been set on foot to relieve the
horrors or starvation. The power of
the Spanish armies, ii is asserted is to
be used, not to spread ruin and desola-
ton, but to protect the resumption of
peaceful agricultural pursuits and pro-
ductive industries. That past methods
are futile to force peace by subjugatiOn
is freely admitted and that ruin, without
Cancellation, must inevitably fail to
win for Spain the fidelity of discon-
tented dependency.
DEGREES in application of the fore
Swallowed reforms have already been
promulgated. The full text of these de- |
crees has not been received, but. as fur
nished in telegraphc summary from ,,
our minister, are;
All civil and external rights of penn- T,
sular Spaniards, in virtue of existing |
constitutional authority, is forthwith eX-
tended to colonial Spanards. A scheme
of autonomy has been proclaimed by de- |
cree, to become effective upon ratifica- |
ton by the cortes. 1t creates a Cuban !
parliament, which, with the insular eX-
ccutive can consider the vote upon all |
subjects affecting local order and inter |
ests possessing unlimited powers save rs |
to matters of state, war and the navy, |
as to which the governor general acts by |
his own authority as the delegate of |
the central government. This parlia- ,
ment receives the oath of the governor /
general to preserve faithfully the liber-
ties and privileges of the colony and to
II the colonial secretaries are responsible.
1t has the right to propose to the central |
government. through the governor gen.
eral, notifications of the national char |
acter and to invite new projects of law |
or executive measures in the interest of |
ihe colony.
Besides its local powers it is cOmpc- |
tent first, to regulate electoral rpgiStra-