The state herald., 1897-12-10

|
In common with these now existing
have confronted this government at
various times In the past. The story
OF Cuba for many years has been one
of unrest and growing discomfort, an
effort toward II larger enjoyment of
liberty and self-tontrol, of organized
resistance to the mother country, of
depression after distress and warfare,
and of settlement to be followed by
continual revolt. For no enduring
period s'ncc the enfranchlsement of
the continental possessions Of Spain In
the Western continent has the condi-
lion of Cuba or the policy of Spain to-
ward Cuba not caused concern in the
United States.
The existing conditions cannot but
nil this government and the American
people with the gravest apprehension.
There is no desire to profit by the mis-
fortunes of Spain. We have only the
desire that the Cubans he prosperous
and contented. enjoying that measure
of self-control which is the inaliena-
bic right of man, protected In their
rights to reap the bepeiit of the ex-
haustless treasures of their country.
The offer made by my predecessor
In April. 1896, rendering the friendly
offices of this government. failed, and
mediation on our part was not accept
ed. In brief, the answer read. "There
Is ne effectual way to pacify Cuba un-
less it begins with the actual submis-
sion of the rebels to the mother coun-
try
Then only could Spain act. in the
promised direction of her own motion
and after her own plans.
| The cruel policy of concentration
4! was initiated February 10. 1896. The
productive districts-eeHtrclled by the
| Spanish armies We're deprecated, tho
agricultural inhabitants We're horde,
In and about g,irrisoned towns, their
lands laid waste, and their dwellings
destroyed. This policy the late cabi-
net of Spain justified as II necessary
measure of war and as means Of cut
| ting Off supplies from the insurg. ats.
1t has utterly failed as n war measure.
| II was not civilized warfare. 1t was
determination.
CThe President goes on at length to
detail the message Of Minister Wood
ford and the reply thereto. which have
heretofore been made public. The
President warmly defends this govern
lnent from Spain's charge that the
I United States has helped the insur-
gents.)
forcibie Annexation Cannoa lie Considered.
Throughout all these horrors and
dangers to our own peace, this govern
mcnt has never in any way abrogatcd
Its sovereign prerogative of reserviEg
: to itself the determination of its policy
and course according to its own high
sense of right, and in consonance with
the dearest interests and convictions of
our own people, should the prolonga-
! tion of the strife so demand
| OF the untricd measures there remain
only;
! Recognition of the insurgents as bel
ligcrents. recognition of the independ-
cncc of Cuba, national Intervention to
end the war by imposing a national
compromise between the contestants
or prevention in favor of one or the
other parties.
| speak not of forcible annexation.
for that cannot he thought Of. That.
by our code Of morality. would he Grim
innl aggression.
Recognition OF the Cuban Insurgents
has often been canvasScd ms n posi-.
blc. If not an Inevitable step. both In
regard TO the previous ten years strtig-
gle aud during the present war. am
not unmindful that the two houses OF
Congress In the spring or 1896 express.
ed the opinion by concurrent resolution
that condition OF public war existed.
requiring or juStirying the recognition
OF bclligcrcncy In Cuba. and during the
extra session the Senate voted n Joint
resolution OF like import. which. how
ever. wns not brought to 4 vote Ia the
House Of Representatives..
The presence NJ these great cynrcs.
sions bchooves the executive 10 solely
consider the conditions under which so
important measure must need rest
FOR justification II Is to he seriously
considered whether the Cuban insur.
rcction possessed beyond III: lutc the
attributes OF statehood. which alone
can demand the recognition of bellig.
crrncy in Its favor. Possession. In short,
Of the essential qualifications of soy
crcign'y by the Insurgents and the con.
duct of the wnr by them according TO
the recognized code of war are no less
important facts toward the dcterrnina-
tlon Of the problem than are the In.
ilucnccs and Consequences OF the strug-
gle upon the Internal policy OF recog-
nizlng the state,
The wise ulteranccs Of President
Grant In his memorable message of
December {. 1879. are slgnnlly relevant
To the present situation In Cuba. and II
may hc wholesome now To recall them.
Al that time n ruinous conflict had for
seven years wasted the nelghboring
Island During all those years an utter
disregard Of civilized warfare and the
demands Of humanity. which called for
the expression NJ condemnation from
the nations of. MI chrlstendom. contln.
uod unnhntcd. Dosolatlon aud ruin
prrvnded that productive region. enor.
mOusly affecting the commerce OF all
nations. but that Of the United States
more than amy other 10y reason Of
proximity aud larger trade and inter.
course.
At that Iunciurc General Grant NJ.
tered these words. which now, MS then.
sum M the elements OF the problem:
~ recognition of the independence
of cubn being, IN my opinion. lmprac-
tlcnlc ana lndcfcnslblc. the question
TINT next presents itself IL TINT Of n
recognition of bciiigrrcnt rights OF the
parties. Such recognition entails aim.
cult ana important duties. II confcrs
the right of search upon the high sens;
II would subject III. carrying of arms
aud munitions In vessels Of the United
States 10 detention aud posslhi" soiz.
urc; II would give rise to countless
voSntlous questions; would relieve the
parent government from responsible.
lty for nets done 10y insurgents, and
| Mnnll lnNnaI Snnln win IL rlnni Ia ~.