Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-07

the economic problem and properly dis
tribute the existing debt
In the absence of declaration of the
measures that the government proposes to
take in carrying out its proffer of, good
offices, 1t suggests that Spain be left free
to conduct military operations and grant
political reforms while the United States
for its part shall enforce it's neutral obli-
cations and cut off the assistance which.
1t is asserted, the insurgents receive from
this country. The supposition of an in
definite prolongation of the war is denied.
1t is asserted that the Western provinces
are already well nigh reclaimed; that the
planting of cane and tobacco therein has
been resumed. and that by force Of arms
and new and ample reforms very early and
complete pacification is hoped for. The
immediate ameloration of existing condi-
tions under the new administration of Gu
ban affairs is predicted, and therewthal the
disturbance and all occasion for any change
of attitude on the part of the United States.
spain's Charges Denied.
Discussion of the question of interna-
tional duties and responsibilities of the
United States, as Spain understands them.
is presented. with an apparent disposition
to charge us with failure in this regard
This charge is without any basis in fact
1t could not have been made if Spain had
been cognizant of the constant efforts this
government has made at the cost of mill
ions by the employment of the administra-
tive machinery of the nation at command
to perform its full duty according to the
law of nations. That it. has successfully
prevented the departure of a single military
expedition or armed vessel from our shores
in violation of our laws would seem TO be a
sufficient answer. But of this aspect of the
Spanish note 1t Is not necessary to speak
further now. Firm in the conviction of a
wholly performed obligation, due response
to this charge has been made in diplomatic
issues. Throughout all these horrors and
dangers to our own peace this government
has never in any way abrogated its sover-
eign prerogative of reserving to itself the
determination of its policy and course ac-
cording to its own high sense Of right and
in consonance with the dearest interests
and convictions of our own people should
the prolongation of the strife SO demand.
Three Possible Policies.
OF the untried measures there remain
bclligerents; recognition of the independ-
ence of Cuba; neutral Intervention TO end
the war by imposing rational compromise
between the contestants. and Intervention
in favor of one or the other party. 1 speak
not of forcible annexation. for that cannot
be thought of. That by our code of moral
ity would be criminal aggression.
Recognition of the belligerency of the Gu
ban insurgents has often been canvassed as
regard TO the previous ten years struggle
and during the present war l am not un-
mindful that the two houses of congress in
the spring of 1896 expressed the opinion by
concurrent resolution that a condition of
public war existed requiring or justifying
the recognition of Il state of belligerency in
Cuba, and during the extra session the SEN
ate voted a joint resolution of like import,
which, however, was not brought to a
vote in the house. In the presence of these
significant expressions of the sentiment of
the legislative branch it behooves the exec
utive to soberly consider the conditions
under which SO important a measure must
needs rest for justification. 1t is to be SER
iously considered whether the Cuban insur-
rection possesses beyond dispute the attri-
butes of statehood which alone can demand
the recognition of beligerency in its favor.
Possession, in short, of the essential quail
ifications Of sovereignty by the insurgents
and the conduct Of the war by them ac-
cording to the received code of war are no
less important factors toward the deter
mination of the problem of belligerency
than are the influences and consequences
of the struggle upon the internal policy Of
the recognized state.
President Grant Quoted
The wise utterances of President Grant in
his memorable message of December Z, 1SI15
are signally relevant to the present situa-
ton in Cuba, and it may be wholesome
now to recall them. At that time a ruinous
conflict had for seven years wasted the
tneighboring island. During all those years
an utter disregard of the laws of civilized
warfare and of the just demands OF hu-
manity, which called forth expressions of
condemnation from the nations of Christen-
dom, continued unabated Desolation and
ruin pervaded that productive region,
enormously affecting the commerce Of all