The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-06
Leads all O10r North Carolina aGe8 in B0 News and Circulation

direct or official information. On the
contrary it is my Individual jGigment, |
based solely upon the conviction that in
these enlightened days two self-respect- |
ing nations, made up of meH and women |
of high aspirations and noble instincts, |
cannot and will not resort to that last
and brutal cxpedient, war To be sure. |
| cannot close my eyes 20 certain oh |
vious circumstances existing both here |
and in Spain.
Consider for a moment some of the |
elements of this present crisis,' he went
on speaking with much vig0r Can it |
be possible that your people will con
slider only one side of :the case? Let US
for q moment admit that there are two
sides to it.
Cuba has been Il: colony Of Spain
from time immemOrial:- from the time of
the discovery by Christopher Columbus
and as part of Spain there is clus-
tered about it reverence almost secred.
Cuba is regarded by eur people just as
You regard one of the States of your
union. What would be said if some for
eign power said to the United States
that Illinois or Texas or California must
be free and Independent of the United
States? To be sure your press tells OF
brutal savagery existing in Cuba.
do not wish to deal in fecr:mination The
time for that has gone by. But | give
You my word that this savagery does
not exist at all, that all reliable reports,
official and unofficial.I Spanish and
American, agree that whatever may
have been the condition Of affairs L
year or two years ago, General Blanco
has inaugurated a humane and benef-
cient system characteristic of the man.
Nov as to autonomy. For some rea-
son intense feeling has been aroused III
this country against the home rule re-
gime which Spain has inaugurated in
Cuba. 1t seems to be overlooked, in tn,
passion of the moment, that this home
rule has ben the aspiration of the Gu
bans for years. 1t seeals to be over
looked also that President Cleveland ana
Secretary Olney urged full measure OF
home rule as the means Likely to bring
about termination of the Cuban COLI
fiict Spain has granted. that. granted
it with the deepest sincerity. | do not
wish in this to repeat un argument for
autonomy but simply to call attention to
the fact that plain justice dictates thai
II system of home rule. brought forth
after the deepest solicitude and consider
alton, and based upon what the Cubans
themselves have long desired and oil
what the United States: government
deemed most fitting ass Il settlement,
should not be lightly dismissed on rep
reservations of the press or even Oh the
representations of men Of sober jude-
mcnt.
'AS to the reconcentra,tos. | can only
say that the DEGREES Of: concentration
have Eeen revoked and urgent steps are
being taken for the relief: of those poor
creatures. While there is no doubt of
the misery of their condition, yet the
government is making the most heroic
efforts TO alleviate this condition. As TO
the insurgents, they have borne arms
against Spain for three years, entailng
terrible loss of life and mol!ey. And vet.
believing these men to be misguided, the
government has sought td regain their
confidence. Even to-day the official ga
zette at Havana publishes: an appeal by
the home rule government urging all
those i'll arms, insurgents as we'll as
SpaniardS to cease hOstiliti@s, join hands
and unite in celebrating tie restoration
of peace. 1t tells them alsD that if this
home rule is not perfect that it may be
improved. in short. the Insurgents are
invited to join the Spanish soldiers in
laying down their. arms. saying that
period of calm may be given. during
which just and wise couusnls may pre-
vail for the permanent betterment of
Cuba.
You ask me as 80 the latest phases of
negotiation. OF this l cannot speak,
owing to the restrictions of my position
| can only say that despite the animosi
ties aroused, | believe that calm counsel
will yet prevail, and that the United
States and Spain will be able to solve
this problem on Il basis just and honor
able TO all concerned and without re-
course to arms. | fully recognize the
earnestness, patriotism and intense vigor
of the American people but / feel that
it is not improper for me to suggest that
at such Il profoundly solemn moment
earnestncss and strength sholld be tenn
pered with calm justice and n DISPOSE
tion to look ut both sides of the question
and not alone TO one side"