The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-07

/ have felt constrained on repeated occa-
sions to enter the firm and earnest protest
| of this government. There was much of
| public condemnation of treatment of Amer
| lean citizens by alleged Illegal arrests and
| long Imprisonment awaiting trial or pend
| ing protracted judicial proceedings. | felt
| it my first duty to make instant demand
/ for the release or speedy trial of all Amer
/ lean citizens under arrest. Before the
| change in the Spanish Cabinet, in October
| last, twenty-five prisoners, citizens OF the
| United States, had been given their free
| dom.
For the relief of our own citizens suf-
| fering because of the conflict the aid of
| Congress was sought in a special message,
and under the appropriation of April 4, 1897,
| effective aid has been given to American
citizens in Cuba. Many of them, at their
own request, have been returned TO the
| United States.
The instructions given to our new minister
| to Spain before his departure for his post
| directed him to impress upon that govern
! ment the sincere wish Of the United States
| to lend its aid towards the ending of the
war in Cuba by reaching a peaceful and
/ lasting result, Just and honorable alike to
| Spain and the Cuban people. These inStruc-
tions rected the character and duration @, OF
| the contest, the widespread losses it entails,
| the burdens and restraints it imposes upon
/ us with constant disturbance OF nauona
/ interests and the injury resulting from an
| indefinite continuance of this state of
/ things.
1t was stated that at this juncture our
| government was constrained to seriously IN
| quire if the time was not ripe when SPAN
| of her own Volition, moved by her own m
| terestS and every sentiment OF humanity,
| should put stop to this destructive war
| and make proposals of settlement honorable
| to herself and Just to her Cuban colony: IL
! was urged that, as a neighboring natlon,
! with large interests in Cuba, we could be
| required to wait only reasonable time
| for the mother country to estabIsn lts SAY, au-
! thority and restore peace and order W1tnln
| the borders of the island; that we could
| not contemplate indefinite period for the
! No sointion was proposed to which the
| slightest idea of humiliation to Spain could
attach. and, indeed, precise proposals were were
| withheld to avoid embarrassment TO tnat
| government. All that was asked or eX-
| pected was that some safe way mignt De
speedily provided and permanent pdace +io,,
| of this offer addressed to the same Spanish
| administration which had declined the ten
| ders of my predecessor, and which Tor more
| than two years had poured men ana treas
| ure into Cuba in the fruitless efforL 10 sup
press the revolt fell to others. BeeweSn 9t s51
| envoy and his arrival in Spain. the STATES
| man who had shaped the policy or ms
country fell by ba the s shhH bnet OF Of the late
| premier still held office and received from 1l
our envoy the proposals he bore, tnat CaD-
! met gave place within few days there
| after to a new administration, under the
| leadership of Sagasta.
| ANSWER TO WOODFORD'S NOTE.
| The reply to our note was received on
the 2Sd day of October. 1t is in the direc-
| ton of better understanding. 1t appre-
| ciates the friendly purposes of this govern
ment. 1t admits that our country is deeply
affected by the war in Cuba, and that its
desires for peace are just. 1t declares that
| the present Spanish government is bound
by every consideration to a change of policy
| that should satisfy the United States and
| pacify Cuba within a reasonable time. To
this end, Spain has decided to put into ef-
feet the political reforms heretofore advo-
/ %o1 Inxyf he wi halt
| ing for any consideration in the path
which, in it's judgment, leads to peace.
The military operations, it is said, will con-
/ tinue but will be humane, and conducted
| 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 a dis
| tinct personality-the island to be gov
erned by an executive and by a local coun-
| Gil, or chamber, reserving to Spain the con-
| troll Of the foreign relations, the army and
| navy and the judicial administration. TO
| accomplish this the present government
decree, leaving the Spanish Cortes, with the
i aid of Cuban senators and deputies, to solve
| the economic problem and properly dis
| tribute the existing debt
In the absence Of a declaration of the
measures that the government proposes TO
take in carrying out it's proffer of good Of
| fees, it suggests that Spain be left free to
| conduct military operations and grant po-
| litical reforms while the United States, for
/ It's part, snail ENFORCE 1IS neutral ODuBd-
/ tions and cut off the assistance which it is
| asserted the insurgents receive from this
| country. The supposition OF an INDEFINITE
| prolongation OF the war is denied. 1t is as
| serted that the western provinces are al
| ready well-nigh reclaimed; that the plant
| ing of cane and tobacco therein has been
| resumed, and that by force of arms and
| new and ample reforms, very early and
complete pacification is hoped for.
The immediate emelioration of existing
| conditions under the new administration of
| Cuban affairs is predicted, and thereW1thal
| the disturbance and all occasion for any
| change of attitude on the part OF the United
| States Discussion of the question of the
| International duties and responsibilities OF
the United States as Spain understands nd
position 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 cognizant of the constant
| efforts this government has made at the
| cost OF millions, and by the employment OF
| the administrative machinery OF the Nation
| at command, to perform its full duty ac-
| cording to the law of nations That IT
has successfully preventiesd the departure @ OF
| sci from our shores In violation of our laws
| would seem to be sufficient answer. But
| of this aspect of the Spanish note it is not
| necessary to speak further now: Firm in
! the conviction Of a wholly performed OBJ
| legation, due response to this charge has
| been made in diplomatic course.
| Throughout all these horrors and dan
| gers to our own peace, this government mas
never in. any way abrogated ITS sovereign
L
! termination of it's policy and course, ac-
| cordng to it's own high sense of right and
| in conSonance with the dearest interests
| and convictions of our own people should
| the prolongation of the strife so demand.
| OF the untried measures there remain
| only recognition Of the insurgents as belig-
| erentS; recognition of the independence or
! Cuba; neutral intervention to end the war
| by imposing a national compromise be-
| tween the contestants, and intervention In
| favor of one or the other party. speak
| not of forcble annexation, for that cannot
| be thought Of That, by our code of NOR
| ality, would be criminal aggression.
THE BELLIGERENCY QUESTION.
Recognition of the belligerency of the
| Cuban insurgents has often been can
vassed as a possible, if not inevitable, step
both in regard to the previous ten years
struggle and during the present war; am
| not unmindful that the two houses of Con-
| gress, in the spring Of 1896, expressed the
! opinion by concurrent resolution that a
/ condition of public war existed, requiring
| or justifying the recognition 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.
| In the presence of these significant ex-
pressions of the sentiment of the legislative
| branch, 1t behooves the executive to So
! bery consider the conditions under which
| so important measure must needs rest
| for justification. 1t is to be seriously con-
| sidered whether the Cuban insurrection
possesses beyond dispute the attributes the
statehood of which alone can demand the
| NJ hHlliQprQncV in its favor