Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-04-14

RpslllZlng this, IT appeared TO De my
duty, in spirit of true friendliness, no
less to Spain than to the Cubans, who
have SO much to lose by the prolongation
of the struggle, to seek to bring about IN
immediate termination of the war. 10
this end, submitted on the 9th ultimo,
as Il result of much representation and
correspondence, through the United
States minister at Madrid, propositions to
the Spanish government looking to an
armistice until Oct. | for the negotiation
of peace with the good offices of the Pres
idcnt.
In addition asked the immediate revo-
cation of the order of recommendation, so
as to permit the people to return to their
farms and the needy to be relieved with
provisions and supplies from the United
States, cooperating with the Spanish
authorities so rs to afford full relief.
The reply Of the Spanish cabinet was
received on the night Of the 3lst ultimo.
1t offers. rs the means to bring about
peace in Cuba, to contide the preparation
thereof to the insular department, mas
much as the concurrence of that body
would be necessary to reach n final result,
it being, however, understood, that the
powers reserved by the constitution to
the central government are not leSsencd
or diminished. AS the Cuban parliament
does not meet until the 4th of May next,
the Spanish government would not object,
for its part. to accept at once II suspen-
sion of hostilitics if asked for by the in
surgents from the general in chief, to
whom it would pertain in such case, to
determine the duration and conditions of
the armistice.
The propositions submitted by General
Woodford and the reply of the Spanish
government were both in the form of
brief memoranda, the texts of which are
1,.,I ,I.t. t,,,Jl
language above given. The function of
the Cuban parliament in the matter of
preparing" peace and the manner of its
doing so are not expressed in the Span
ish memorandum: but from General
Woodford's explanatory reports of pre-
liminary discussions preceding the final
conference it is understood that the Span
ish government stands ready to give the
insular congress full powers to settle the
terms of peace with the insurgents,
whether by direct negotiation or Indirect
~ by means of lcgisla ton does not APP
pear.
With this last overture in The direction
of immediate peace and It's disappointing
reception by Spain the executive was
brought to the end of his effort.
Three Measures Left.
In my annual message of December
last | said
"Of the untried measures three remain:
Recognition of the insurgents rs helliger-
ents; recognition of the Independence of
Cuba; neutral intervention to end the war
by imposing Il rational compromise be-
tween the contestants and intervention in
favor of one or the other party. | speak
not of forcihle annexation. for that can
not be thought of. That by our code Of
morality, would be criminal aggression"
Thereupon | reviewed these altcrna-
tives in the light of President Grants
measured words, uttered in 1879, when,
after seven years of sangunary, destruct-
i've and cruel barbarites in Cuba. he
reached the conclusion that the recosni-
ton of the Independence of Cuba was im-
practicable and indefeMshlc; and that the
recognition of hclligercnce was not war
ranted by the facts. according to the tests
Of public law. | commented especially
upon the latter aspect of the question.
pointing out the Inconvenience and posi-
tive dangers Of n recognition of hrlliycr-
ency which. while adding to the already
oncrous burdens of neutrality within our
own jurisdiction, could not in any way
extend our influences or effective Offices in
the territory of hostilities.
Nothing has since occurred to change
my view in this regard-and | recognize
as fully now as then that the issue of a
proclamation Of neutrality. by which
process the so-called recognition of bel
ligerence is published could, of itself and
unattended by other action. accomplish
nothing toward the one end for which we
labor, the instant pacihcation Of Cuba
and the cessation of the misery that af-
tlicts the island.
Jackson on Recognition.
Turning to the question Of recognizing mt
this time the independence of the present
insurgent government In Cuba we find safe
precedents in our history from an early
day. They are we'll summed up In President
JnckSon's message to Congress Dec. II. 1876,
on the subject of the recognition OF The indie
pcndencc of Texas. He said: "in all the
contests that have arisen out Of the reyolu-
lions of France out of the disputes relating
TO the crews of Portugal and Spain, out OF
the separation of the American possessions
of both from the European governments and
out OF the numerous and constantly occur
ring struggles for dominion In Spanish Amer
ica wisely consistent with our just priu-
cp,cS has been the action of our govern
mont' that we have, under the most critical
circumstances, avoided all cenSure and on
countered TO other evil than tina, produced
by Il transient cstrangement Of good will In
those against whom we have been by force
Of evidence compelled TO decide.
at has thus made known to the world that
the uniform policy and practice of the Uni
ted States Is to avoid all interference In dis
putcs which merely relate to the internal
to recognize the authority of the prevailing
party without reference to our particular In
forests and views ms to the merits of the
original controversy,
''But on this, as on every other trying
occasion. safety Is to be found In n rigid adj
hcrencc to principle
"ln the contest between Spain and the re-
volted colonies we stood aloof and waited,
not only until the ability Of the new States
to protect themselves was fully established,
but until the danger of their being again
suhjugatod had entirely passed away. Then.
and not until then, were they recognized.
Such was our course In regard to Mexico her
self.
Case of Texas.
at is true that with regard TO Texas tho
civil authority of Mexico has been expelled,
Its invading army defeated, the chief of the
republic himself captured and all present