The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-12


1t Is announced that President MeKin-
ley has a Cuban policy. and that he Will
presently advise Spain of the nature OF
il, in no uncertain terms. Indeed. it is
published in the New York Journal that
he Will send an "ulumatum' to Spain.
II sounds decidedly strange to hear the
word "uItimatum" coupled with the Pres
idents name. There certainly must be
some mistake about that part of the
story. However, it IS said that he will
send a note, through our state depart
ment, to the government OF Spain outlin-
ing this governments policy with regard
to Cuba.
The noee is alleged to have been IN
course Of preparation for some weeks, and
to be nog about completed. The Calhoun
report will not change the tenor of the
note, but may be appended to it as eN1-
dence bearing out the governments posi-
ton. The communication. it is said, while
being couched in courteous diplomatic
language, will inform Spain that, in the
opinion Of the United States, the time
to which President Cleveland alluded in
former note, when this government
might feel called upon to take a hand in
the Cuban matter, has arrived 1t will
say that Spain has lost control Of the is
land and cannot subdue it, and will give
facts to bear out the point 1t will assert
that Spain has fafed to fulfill her treaty
agreements with the United States and
to protect Americans in Cuba, and will
present facts to bear this out. Following
will come an offer from this government
to mediate between Spain and Cuba, upon
the basis of the independence of the is
land and an indemnity. An intimation
viii be given that if Spain should decline
to accept the good Offices of the United
States, the recognition either Of Cuban
belligerency or Cuban independence might
be expected to follow Should the recog-
milton be of the islands independence,
from that moment Cuba would become a
part OF the American family of nations
and the Monroe doctrine would be APP
piled. Spain would be regarded as an in
truder, seeking to conquer an American
people for the purpose of enforcing for
eigR dominion.
As an inducement to bringing Spain to
accede to the mediation of the United
States upon the basis Of Cuban independ-
ence, the note will suggest that an equit-
able division of the Cuban bonded debt
between the island and Spain could be
made under such arrangement; but if the
island should win independence either
through her own efforts or the inter
vention of the United States no part of
the debt could be saddled upon her. The
indemnity to be paid by Cuba, in the
event of the acceptance of mediation,
would be determined by arbitration.
There seems to be considerable meat in
the alleged policy, as outlined. 1t would
probably open the way for something TO
turn up. 1t may be doubted that Spain
would accept the terms proposed. She
would almost certainly object to the Mon
roe doctrine part of it, and would be
pretty apt to send notes to other Euro
peap governments with regard to that
feature. The Monroe doctrine is not pop
ular in the European countries which have
possessions on this side of the water.
While Spain might not accept this "ulti-
ma cum she might make such reply as
would open the way for a settlement of
the war. If she did not, then the Presi-
dent could send another 'ultimatum. II
happens in diplomacy sometimes chat ulti-
mata follow an ultimatum