Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1897-12-08

lures and revenues, without limitation of
any kind and to set apart the revenues to
meet the Cuban share of the national bud
get, which latter will be voted by the ma
tional Cortes with the assistance of the
Cuban senator's and deputies; fourth, to
initiate or take part in the negotiations
Of the national government for commercial
treaties which may affect Cuban interests;
fifth, to accept or reject commercial trea
ties which the national government may
have concluded without the participation
Of the Cuban government; sixth, to frame
the colonial tariff, acting in accord with
the penin5ular government in scheduling
articles OF mutual commerce between the
mother country and the colonies. Before
introducing or voting upon a bill, the
Cuban government or the chambers will
lay the project before the central govern
ment and hear its opinion thereon, all the
correspondence in such regard being made
public. Finally, all conflicts of jurisdic
ton arising between the different
municipal, provincial and insular as
sembliee, or between the latter and
the insular executive power, and
which from their nature may not
be referable to the central government for
decision, shall be submitted to the courts.
Confidence in Spain,s Sincerity.
That the government of Sagasta has en-
tered upon a course from which recession
Will uOuOI lS lLupOSSIDle Cd1 udIuly UG
questioned; that in the few weeks it has
existed it has made earnest of the sin
certify of it's professions is undeniable. l
shall not impugn its sincerity, nor should
impatience be suffered to embarrass it in
the task it has undertaken. 1t is honest
ly due to Spain, and to our friendly rela-
tions with Spain, that she should be given
| a reasonable chance to realize her ex-
pectations and to prove the asserted
efficacy Of the new order of things to
which she stands irrevocably committed.
She has recalled the commander whose
brutal orders infamed the 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 de-
sire to resume the cultivation of their
fields to do so, and assures them of the
protection of the Spanish government in
their lawful occupations. She has just
released the Competitor prisoners, hereto
fore sentenced to DEATH and who have
been the subject of repeated diplomatic
| correspondence during both this and the
preceding administration.
Not single American citizen is now in
arrest or confinement in Cuba, of whom
| this government has any knowledge. The
near future will demonstrate whether the
Indispensable condition Of righteous
peace, just alike to the Cuban and Spain,
as well as equitable to all our interests so
intimately involved in the welfare of Gu
ba, is likely to be attained. If not, the
| exigency Of further and other action 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
| misgiving or hesitancy, in the light of the
obligation this government owes to itself,
| to the people who have confided to it the
| protection 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, moved Meth
er by passion nor selfishness, the gov
eminent will continue its watchful care
over the rights and property of American
! citizens and will abate none of it's efforts
! to bring about by peaceful agencies a
peace which shall be honorable and en-
during. If it shall hereafter appear to be
a duty imposed by our obligations to our
| selves, to civilization and humanity to in
| tervene with force, it shall be without
| fault on our Part and only because the
necessity for such action will be so clear
as to command the support and approval
| of the civilized world.