Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1897-12-07


the statesman who had shaped the policy
of his country fell by he hand OF an as
sassin and although the cabinet Of the
late premier sill held Office and received
from our envoy the proposals he bore
that cabinet gave place within few days
thereafter to a new administration under
the leadership of Sagasta. The reply to
our note was received ON the 23d day of
October. 1t is in the direction of better
understanding. 1t appreciates the friendly
purposes of this government. 1t admits
that our country is deeply effected by the
war in Cuba, and that it's desires for peace
are just. 1t declares that the present
Spanish government is bound by every
consideration to change of policy that
should satisfy the United States and
pacify Cuba within reasonable time
10 this end Spain has decided to put
into effect the political reforms heretofore
advocated by the present premier with
out 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 con-
Quoted with all regard for private rights,
being accompanied by political action
leading to the autonomy of Cuba, while
guarding Spanish sovereignty This, it is
claimed will result in investing Cuba
with distinct personality; the island to
be governed by an executive and by a
local council or chamber, reserving to
Spain the control of the foreign relations,
the army and navy and the judicial adj
ADMINISTRATION. To accomplish this the
present government proposes to modify
existing legislation by decree, leaving the
Spanish cortes, with the aid of Cuban
senators and deputies to solve the econ
omic problem and properly distribute the
existing debt.
should Let spain Alone.
In the absence of Il declaration of the
measures that this government proposes
to take in carrying out its proffer of good
offices it sug SITS that Spain be left free
to conduct military operations and grant
political reforms, while the United States
for its part shall enforce its neutral obi
cations and cut off the assistance which
it is asserted the insurgents receive from
this country. The superstition 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
the new and ample reforms very early
and complete pacification is hoped for.
The immediate amelioration of existing
conditions under the new administration
of Cuban affairs is predicted, and there
withal the disturbance and all occasion
for any change OF attitude on the part of
the United States. Discussion of the
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 cogni-
Zant of the constant efforts this govern
ment has made at the cost of millions
and by the employment of the admins
trative machinery of the nation at COM
mand to perform its full duty according
to the law OF the nations. That it has
successfully prevented the departure of q
single military expedition or armed YES
sci from our shores in violation of our
laws would seem to be sufficient answer.
But of this aspect of the Spanish note 1T
is not necs rary to speak further now.
Firm in to- conviction of a wholly per-
formed obil,s sstion, due response to this
charge has been made in diplomatic
course.
Throughout all these horrors and dan
gers to our own peace this government
has never in any way abroratvd ,tS SOW
ereign prerogative of rcser\ili 10 itself
the determination of its policy and course
according to it's own high sense of right
and in consonance with the dearest inter
ests ana convictions of our own people
should the prolongation of the strife so
demand.
What This Country Should Do.
OF the untried measures there remains
only: Recognition of the insurgents as
belligerents, recognition Of the independ-
ence of Cuba; neutral intervention to end
OF the war by proposing nationol COM
promise between the contestants and in
teryention in favor of one or the other
party. l speak not of forcible annexa-
ton, for that cannot be thought OF. That
by our code of morality would be criminal
aggression. Recognition of the belliger-
ency OF the Cuban insurgents has often
been canvassed as a possible if not newt
able step both in regard to the previous 10
years struggle and during the present
war. l am not unmindful that the two
houses of congress in the spring of 1896
expressed the opinion by concurrent reso-
luton that q condition of public war eX-
listed requiring or justifying the recogni-
ton of a state of belligerency in Cuba,
and during the extra session the senate
voted joint resolution of like import,
which, however, was not brought to
vote in the house OF representatives. In
the presence of these significant express
sions of the sentiment of the legislative
branch 1t behooveS the executive to sober
ly consider the conditions under which so
important a measure must needs rest for
Justification 1t is to be seriously conSld-
cred whether the Cuban instruction pos
sesses beyond dispute the attributes OF
statehood which alone can demand the
recognition of belligerency 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 determ-
ination of the problem of delinquency
than are the influences and consecEaences
of the struggle upon the internal policy OF
the recognizing state.
The wise atterances of President Grant