Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1897-12-10

, ldke III.
No Intervention Now.
Intervention upon humanitarian
grounds has been frequently suggested,
and it has not failed to receive my anx-
ious and earnest consideration. No
such step should now be taken, how
ever, when it is apparent that a hopeful
change has supervened in the policy of
Spain toward China. A new govern
ment has taken office in the mother
country.
1t is said that all the efforts in the
world cannot suffice to maintain peace
by the bayonet that vague promises OF
reform after subjugation afford no so
luton in the insular problem, that
with substitution of commanders
must come a change of the past system
of warfare for one of harmony, with a
new policy which shall no longer aim
to drive the Cubans TO the horrible al
tentative of taking to the thicket or
succumbing in misery" that reforms
must be instituted in accordance with
the needs and circumstances of the
time. and that reforms, while designed
to give full autonomy to the colony and
to create a virtual entity and self-con-
trolled administration, shall yet con-
Spain by lust distribution of powers
and burdens upon basis of mutual in
terest, untainted by selfish expectancy.
The first acts of the new government
lie in these honorable paths.
The policy of cruel rapine and eXter-
minatiOn that so long shocked the uni
versal sentiment of humanity is re-
versed. Measures have already been
set on foot to relieve the horrors of
starvation The power of the Spanish
army, it is asserted, is to be used, not
to spread ruin and desOlation, but to
protect the resumption of peaceful agri-
cultural pursuits and productive indus
tries That past methods were futile,
to force peace by subjugatiOn, is free
ly admitted, and that ruin without con-
citation must inevitably fail to win foR
Spain the fidelity of cOntented depen-
dency.
DEGREES in application of the fore
Swallowed reforms have already been
promulgated. The full text Of these de-
crees has not been received, but as fur
nished in telegraphic summary from
our minister are: All civil and electoral
rights of the peninsula exercised by
Spaniards are, by virtue of existing
constitutional authority, forthwith ex-
tended to colonial Spaniards. A scheme
of autonomy has been proclaimed by
decree to be effective upon ratification
by the cOrtes. 1t creates a Cuban par
lament which, with the insular execu-
tive, can consider and vote upon all
subjects affecting local order and in
terests, possessing unlimited powers
save. as to matters of state, war and
the ma W as TO which the governor gem
erals acts by his own authority after
the delegate of the central government.
1t has the right to propose to the central
government. through the governor gen
eral, modification of the national char
ter and to initiate new projects of
law or executive measures in the inter-
est of the colony.
That the government of Sagasta las
entered upon a course by which a re-
cession with honor is impossible can
hardly be questioned, and that in the
few weeks it has existed it has made
earnest of the sincerity of its profess
siOns is undeniable. | shall not impugn
its sincerity, and Impotence should be
suffered rather than to embaTass it in
the task it has undertaken.
VIII Give Spain Chance.
1t is honestly due to Spain that she
should be given a reasonable chance TO
realize her expectations and prove the
asserted efficacy of the new order of
Kings to which she stands irrevocably
committed. She has recalled the COM
nander whose brutal orders infamed
he American mind and shocked the
civilized world. She has modified the
horrible order of concentration and has
Undertaken to care for the helpless and
permit those who desire to resume The
cultivation of their farms to do so and
assures them of the protection of the
Spanish government in their lawful
pursuits against outrages. She has re-
eased the Competitor prisoners here
ofore sentenced to death and who
AVE been the subject of repeated diplo-
matte correspondence during both this
md the preceding administration. Not
single citizen is now under arrest or
II confinement in Cuba of whom this
government has any knowledge. The
lear future will demonstrate whether
he indispensable conditions of a
ighteous peace-just alike to the Gu
'ans and to Spain as well, equitable
o all our interests so Intimately in
-olved in the welfare of Cuba-is likely
0 be attained. If not the eXigencies of
urther and other action by the United
states will remain to be taken.
When the time comes that action will
e determined in the line of indiSput-
bic right and duty 1t will be faced
without misgiying or hesitancy in the
ght of the obligation this government
Yves to itself, to the people who have
onfided to it the protection of their in
erests and honor and to humanity.
Sure of the right. keeping free from
II offenses ourselves, actuated only by
pright and patriotic considerations,