Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-17
i RE1SSrBjYG ST1TENEYT.

/
The statement by Senator Sherman of
his views regarding the position of the
| United States government toward the
| Cuban insurrcction is highly reassuring.
| 1t will be accepted rs undoubtedly re-
| lectng the opinion of the president
elect and it will have the effect to dis
| pei whatever apprehension has existed
that the next administration would
adopt an extreme course in relation to
Cuba. Senator Sherman said in unqual-
flied terms that this government should
not interfere, either to aid in the set
tlement of the conflict cor do anything
which would make a peaceful govern
ment of the island n charge on this
country" He evidently has faith in
The promise of the Spanish government
to institute needed reforms in Cuba
and to- give the Cubans practical au-
tonomy and while there is reason TO
fear that Spain may fail as she has
done in the past, to fully redeem this
promise. still our government is bound
to assume that the Spanish govern
ment is sincere and that 1T will faith
fully perform what it has promised.
In the circumstances, therefore, the
duty of the government of the United
States is perfectly plain. 1t should con-
tnue to maintain an attitude of abso-
lutte neutrality, requiring of Spain only
that the rights and interests of Amer
lean citizens in Cuba shall be properly
protected.
The assurance given by Senator Sher-
man as to what will be the attitude of
the next administration may be some
what dscOuraging to the Cuban cause.
but if so that will not be Il valid OBJ
lection to it. Whatever moral support
the American people can give that cause
will continue to be given, but the gov
crnmcnt has an obligation and re-
SpOnsibility which must not be affected
by sentiment 1t must respect its in
ternatiOnnl duties. That the views of
Senator sherman will be warmly de-
nouuced by the jngoes Is to be eX-
Dected. but these are less numerous and
IL great deal less influential than they
were Il short time ago. The speech in
the senate Il few days ago of one of the
most bellicose among them has received
little attention and no cOmmcndatiOn
from sources entitled to consideration.
The American people want to get
down to business. Capital desires safe
investment. labor needs Il revival of
industries, producers wish to see the
purchasing power of the people in
creased. These conditions cannot be re-
allied SO long as there are disturbing
and disquieting issues before the coun-
try. 1t will be the purpose of the next
administration 10 restore sound buSi-
ness conditions to make opportunity for
enterprise and to give the country pros
perity. This the party coming into
power is pledged to do and its future
depends upon making that pledge good. |
In order TO do this The next adminiStra-
ton viii have TO devote its attention
chiefly 10 domestic interests. Ii cannot |
involve the country in foreign complica-
tons without imparing it's ability To
promote the material progress and |
prosperity Of the nation. The authori- !
tative assurance is that it will not do |
this, but on the contrary will maintain |
friendly and peaceful relations with |
the world and strictly observe every
duty and obligation. Such |
assurance ought TO have most whole
some effect.