The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-12-07
Tie P'R|ESl }! N !! Views
on NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
fconcluded from 3 IF 4, pag az,


q erfts as bellgecents; recognition Of the
y independ ence OF Cuba: neutral interveu.
zion to end the war by imposing a RAJ
Il tionaa Compromise basween the contest
& ants, and Intervention in favor of one
4 or the oSher party. I speak not Of forci-
u bic Il annexation, for that cannS; be
B Thought OF That by our code Of NOR
a nhty, would be criminal agggression,"
" The President then proceeds to dis
81 c,lss the first head. namely, the recogni-
4 eipny OF beHigerency. He recalls the reao-
& lutlons OF. Congress In 1896, and since
4 then ne quotes the wise utterances Of
Ii President Grant In his message OF De-
Scember Z, 1876 particularly where he de-
81 clares against the 'recosplticn = indo-
Is pendence at that time aid also Presi-
dent SrapIsS. de IA rat acn that he failed
II to find y. the insurrectfon the existence
iaf's-s3n o substantial political organiza-
3 ZION and other elements required by in
\ Gelnaltonal usage as would place II on
the terrible footing OF war to which a
4 recognition OF bellIserency would aim 10
y elevate ft.Wg Completing his quotation
& from that portion OF President Grants
b message the President says still further
& pertinent considerations appear as to
& the practical aspects OF sthe question. In
{ the code of nations there Is no such
Z thing as a naRed reco ignition OF bclllger-
4 ency unacccmpanied by the assumption
/, OF International neutrality. Such rccog-
milton would not confer upon either par
/ ~ to the conflict q Status not therefore
notually possessed and n recognition Of
q bell lgerent I rights, while nomInnlly
q equal, would weigh heavily IN behalf Of
Spain herself. Spain could not only
4 cla!m the right or search on the high
4 seas and Of seizure Of contra dams but
her maritime rights could be asserted DIP
& 10 the margin of our own territorial
Y waters and q condition of things would
exist for which the Cubans within their
own domains could moi hope to create
a parallel. The United States would ac-
quire no right of intervention to enforce
< the conduct of the strife within the
paramount authority OF Spain according
20 the International code OF war, "for
Nhese reae5ns" said the President. II
regard the recognition Of the belliger&n-
cy of the Cuban Insurgents as now I'M
Wise and therefore inadmissible. Should
that step hereafter be deemed wise us a
measure ef right nnd duty, the Exc
cutive will take It,"
~ The President then discussed the ques-
ton of intervention upon humanitarian
grounds, and he asks whether this step
should be taken when 1t is apparent lshalt
"a hopeful change has supdvvened In the
policy 'of Spain towards Cuba. He ne
calls that the new Spanish government
has pledged Itself ito reform and an
abandonment of tile bayonet policy
alone aud finds that 1.-THE first acts OF
tho new government lie In these hon
oTlGle paIehs The policy of cruel RAJ
pine and eNter1nina ton that has 50 long
shocked the universal sentiment OF hu-
rnansty has been reversed. Broad Glenn
ency Is rroffered measures have been
saksn to relieve the horrors OF starva-
The power OF the Ephr!sh armies. II
as asserted, is to be used not to spread
ruin tnnd desolStion. qhlSt5t3 protect the
Tesunirsi of peaceful agricultural
pursuits and productive Industries. That
past methods are futile to force a peace
ny subjugation Is freely admitted and
that that ruin Without consolidation must In
erttnol ) fail TO win for Spain the fidel-
.ity-of a contented dependency
DEGREES in application OF the fore
.shadowed reforms have already been
promulgated *
Inc President describes the reform
policy of'the Spanish government as to
Cube as has already been set out in
the press. and says:
mat the government OF Sagasta has
entered upon q course from which recess
t'lo!l with honor Is Impossible can hard
~ he questioned; that In the few weeks
W. has tNlaQe OIL
the sincerity of Its professions is unde-
min ble.4 shall not inlpugn Its sincerity,
S1or; should impat!cnce be suffered to
Sembarrass IT In the task 1t has under
Sfaken. Ut is honestly due ito Spain and
with our friendly relations with Spain
that she should be given reasonable
I ca ance ~ realize her expectations and
a prove the asserted efficacy OF the
new. order of things 10 which she stands
m 80 - a. l.
called the commander whose brutal or
sdersS tnfiammed the American mind and
shocked the civilized world She has
modified the horrible order of concen-
fratton and has undertaken to care for
: the IN elpleBs and permit those who de-
sire TO resume the cultivation OF their
/ fields to do SO, and assures them of":he
protection OF the Spanish government
IN their lawful occupations. She has
Just released the Competitor prisoners
J heretofore sentenced TO death and who
4 have been the subjct Of repeated d.
Sl,lS,matic correspondence during both
this and the preceding administration
jstsis'ts? Ut q single American citizen Is now
Elm arrest or conflnemeRt lin Cuba OF
whom this government has any knowl-
edge The near future will t1emonstrats
Eh ether the Indispensable condition Of
!; rich teous peace Just alike TO the Gu
bans and to Spain, MS well as equitable
totnll our interests 80 Intimately IN
:sNolYed In the fare of Cuba is likely
10 be attained. \ If not. the exigcncv Of
u further and other action by the United
Il States will remain ito be taken. When
Sftl at Hines comes that action will bc
determined IN the line Of ndIsputabie
right .dfid duty. N. will. be faced with
[ ONT rnieEivlnr or helsttancy in the light
&of The otfiEatlon this government owes
20 fAel to the people who have oonnded
TO ~ the protection OF their Interests
md honor. and to humanity.