The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-12-09


losses 1t entails, the burdens and re
straints IT imposes upon us. With con
stant disturbance of national interests
and the injury resulting from an in
definite continuance of this state 0
things. 1t was stated that at thi'
juncture our Government was con
strained to seriously inquire If the tim,
were not ripe when Spain, of her owf
volition moved by her own interests
and every sentiment of humanity
should put a stop to this destructiv,
war and make proposals Of settlemen
honorable to herself and lust to he.
Cuban colony. 1t wss urged that as
neighboring nation, with large inter
ests In Cuba, we could be required tt
wait only reasonable time for tn,
mother country to establish its author
ity and restore peace and order withir
the borders of the island; that we coulc
not contemplate an indefinite perioc
for the accomplishment of this result.
spanish Reforms.
DEGREES in the application of tn,
foreshadowed reform have already
been promulgated. The full text OF
these DEGREES has not been received
but as furnished in telegraphic sum
mary from our Minister are: All civi
and electoral rights of Peninsula Span
lards are, in virtue of existing consti.
tutional authority, forthwith extended
to colonial Spaniards.
That the Government of Sagasta ha,
entered upon course from which re.
cesslon with honor Is impossible car
hardly be questioned that In the few
weeks II has existed II has made earn.
est of the sincerity of its professions Is
undeniable I shall not impugn its sin
cerity, nor should impatience be suf
fered to embarrass 1t in the task 1t has
undertaken. 1t Is honestly due t.
Spain and to our friendly relations
with Spain that she should be given a
reasonable chance to realize our ex
pectations and to prove the asserted
/ efficacy Of the new order of things tc
which she stands irrevocably commit
ted. She has recalled the commander
| whose brutal orders inflamed the
American mind and shocked the civ
ilized world. She has modified the hor.
rble order of concentration and has
undertaken to care for the helpless
and permit those who desire to resume
the cultivation OF their fields to do so,
and assures them Of the protection OF
the Spanish Government in their law.
. IuI OCCuDdtlODS. oHt mas just TtledSeu
the Competitor prisoners, heretofore
sentenced to death. and who have been
the subject Of repeated diplomatic
correspondence during both this and
the preceding Administration.
Not a single American citizen is now
in arrest or confinement in Cuba Of
whom this Government has any
knowledge. The near future will dem
onstrate whether the indispensable
condition of a righteous peace. just
alike to the Cubans and to Spain as
well as equitable to all our interests SC
intimately involved in the welfare OF
Cuba, Is likely to be attained. II not,
the exigency of further and other &C.
tion by the United States will remain
to be taken. When that time comes
that action will be determined in the
line of indisputable right and duty. 1t
will be faced without misgjving or hes
itancy in the light of the obligation
this Government owes to itself. to the
people who have confided to 1t the pro-
lection of their interests and honor.
and to humanity.
Sure of the right. keeping free from
all offense ourselves, actuated only by
upright and patriotic considerations
iuule ed neither by passion nor selfish
ness the Government will continue Its
,',,,,,',v or American citizens, and will
apate none OF it's efforts to bring about
by peaceful agencies d peace which
shall be honorable and enduring. If II
shall hereafter appear to be the duty
imposed by our obligations to our
selves. TO ciyiliza ton and humanity. t.
, intervene with force, 1t shall be with
, out fault on our part and only because
: the necessity for such action will be Sc
clear as to command the support ah'
: approval of the civilized world.
The Hawaiian Treaty.
t DE- sao,a, r,essage dated the 16tl
I'm ,a., laid before the Sen
; uay - .,aatv s,cnea that day by tn,
e n,s..an,,a r,as ~ the United state
1 y, 49, Panrhi,c NJ Hawaii havin,
e anu -, s. .ns tha ACCOMMODATION OF tn
= ,I,,pn 11 a,s p p.,o,Ss as an integral part o
I ST. and under its SOW
e lhe IN. ca,ata hav,ry remoye,
g ereishS' ne aon aItho,,g,
s the M .a,ro before tha
e the ue. ~ .s",, 80, he nronerlv re