The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-12-07

has for many years been one of unrest,
and for no enduring period has IT
| ceased to cause concern to the United
States. Briefly summarizing the story
| of former outbreaks and of the part
played by General Grant during the last
war, the President, coming down to the
present instruction, speaking of it's re-
marka BILE increase, its tenacious exist
ence against the enormous forces mass
ed by Spain, the widespread destruction
| of property, and the disregard of the CIV
ilized code of war, no less by the Span
iards than by the Cubans, he says:
1.-THE existing conditions cannot but
| Fl this government and the American
people with the gravest apprehension
| There ~ no desire on the part of our
people to profit by the misfortunes of
Spain. We have only the desire to see
the Cuhans prosperous and contented
| enjoying that measure of self-control
which is the inalienable right of man,
protected in their right TO reap the ben
eft of the exhaustless treasures of their
! country"
| Continuing, the President says that
the offer made by his predecessor, in
| April, 1896, of the good offices Of this
government, failed. The cruel policy of
| concentration was initiated in Febru-
sry, 1896. at has utterly failed as q
war measure. 1t was not civilized war
| fare-it was determination" says the
President Against this abuse OF the
| lights of war he has felt constrained on
epeated occasions to enter the firm and
earnest protest Of this government. He
made instant demand for tie release OF
| needy trial OF all American citizens
| lnder arrest, and before the change OF
he Spanish cabinet, in October last, 2
| risoners. citizens OF the United States,
1ad been given their freedom.
| The Instructions to Minister Wood
| ford directed him to impress upon the
| Spanish government the sincere wish Of
| he United States TO lend its aid toward
| hhe ending Of the war by reaching
| peaceful and lasting result, just and
| honorable alike to Spain and to tn
| Cuban people 1t was also asked
| whether Spain, OF her own volition.
| moved by her own interests and sent
| uents OF humanity, should not max
| ,roposals OF settlement, and II was sac
| hat we could not contemplate an in
| 'efinite period for the accomplishment
| Il this result. No solution was pro
/ osed to which the slightest idea of hu
| niliarion to Spain could attach. a
| hat was asked or expected was tina
| ONE safe way might speedily be PR
| Fided and permanent peace restores
| The President refers to the change >
| he Spanish cabinet about this time.
and continuing. says:
| The reply 10 our note was in the di
rection Of a better understanding. Il
| rpreclatts the friendly purposes Of TIN.
government. 1t admits that our country
deeply affected by the Cuban war.
| 1t declares that the present Spanish
| government is bound by every consid
| Grafton to a change of policy that
| should satisfy the United States and
nacify Cuba within a reasonable time
To this end. Spain has decided to put
into effect the poAtical reforms hereto
| fore advocated by the present premier
without hating for any consideration In
| the path which in its judgment leads to
peace. The military operations, it is
said, will continue, but will be humane
and conducted with all regard for prl-
vate rights. being accompanied by pollti-
cal action leading to the autonomy of
Cuba while guarding Spanish soyer-
eighty.
1t further suggests that Cuba be left
free TO conduct the military operations
and grant political reforms, while the
United States. for its part. shall enforce
neutral reforms and cut off the assist
ance which, it is asserted, the insur-
gents receive from this country. The
supposition of an indefinite prolongation
Of the war is denied, and complete and
early pacification is hoped for which.
with the immediate amelioration of ex-
listing conditions in Cuba, would re-
move cause for any change of attitude
on the part ofsthe United States. Spain
shows an apparent disposition to charge
us with failure to meet international
duties, and this charge, says the Presi-
dent, is without any basis of fact. 1t
could not have been made if Spain had
been cognizant of the constant efforts
this government has made at the cost
Of millions and by the employment Of
the administrative machinery of the ma
ton to perform its full duty. That it
has successfully prevented the depart
ure of n single military expedition or
armed vessel from our shore in viola
ton of our laws would seem to be a
sufficient answer and due response to
this charge has been made in diplo-
matte course.
BELLIGERENCY DISCUSSED.
Declaring that throughout all these
horrors and dangers to our own peace, |
the United States has never abrogated
its prerogative of determining its policy |
according to its own high sense of right |
and its interest, the President says:
''Of the untried measures, there re-
main only: Recognition of the insur |
GENTS &c helIiperentS. recognition of the |
independence of Cuba; neutral interven-
ton to end the war by imposing a
rational compromise between the con-
testants, and Intervention in favor of
one or the other party. / speak not of