New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-12

extended through most II hot ali Oh 'i'e Twins
where the suffering exists Thousands OF lives
have already been saved
The necessity for change IN the condition OF
the reconcentrados IS recognized by the Spanish
Government Within few days past the orders
of General Wcyler have been revoked, the recon-
centrados II is said. 10 be permitted 10 return
to their homes and aided TO resume the self-sup-
porting pursuits OF peace: public WORKS nave
been ordered to give them employment and
sum OF 5000 900 has been appropriated for their
relief
The war in Cuba Is OF such nature that SNORT
Of subjusatlon or determination. final military
victory for either side seems mpracticable Inc
alternative lies in the physical exhaustion or
the one or the other party or. perhaps OF po'h
"A condition which in effect ended the Ten
Years war by the truce of Xanjon. The pros
pect Of such n Irotrac elton and conclusion or the
present strife Is a contingency hardly TO he con-
templated with equanimity by the clVlhzeo
world. and least of all by the United states ar
.ected and injured as We are deeply and init
mately by its very existence.
RECENT PROPOSALS TO SPAIN.
Realizing this. 1t appeared 20 he my duty in a
spirit Of true friendness. no less to Spain than
to the Cubans who have much 20 lose by the
proloncation Of the trouble to seek to bring
about an immediate termination OF the war TO
this end. submitted on the 9th ult'mo. as
result Of much representation and correspond
ence through the United States Minister at Ma
drid propositions to the Spanish government
looking to an armstice until October for the
negotiation Of peace with the good oftces OF the
President.
In addition. I asked the immediate revocation
OF the order Of RECOMMENDATION. so as to permit
the people to return TO their farms and the needy
and supplies from
the United States. cooperating with the spanish
authorities so as to afford full relief
The reply OF the Spanish Cabinet was received
on the night of the 31st utimo. II oners as the
means to bring about peace in Cuba 70 connde
the preparation thereof to the insular farha-
ment inasmuch as the concurrence or that poo!
would be necessary to reach nna' result II
being however. understood that the powers re-
served by the constitution 10 the Central Gov
eminent are not lessened or diminished AS the
Cuban Parliament does not meet until May
next the Spanish Government would not object.
for its part 10 accept at once suspension or
hostilities II asked for by the insurgents from
the General-in- Chief. to whom 1t would pertain
IN such case 20 determine the duration and con-
ditions Of the ermistice.
The propositions submitted by General Wood
ford and the reply Of the Spanish Government
we're both In the form OF brief memoranda the
texts or NnlCn are Delols me- anu az '"''
TALLY in the language above given. The function
Of the Cuban Parliament in the matter OF pre-
parins" peace and the manner Of its doing so are
not EXPRESSED in the Spanish memorandum; but
from, General Woodford's explanatory reports or
preliminary discussions preceding the hnal con-
ference IL Is understood that the Spanish Govern
ment stands -@ady to give the nsular Congress
full powers to settle the terms OF peace with inc
Observation-Disclosures by direct negotiation or IN
directly by means of legislation does not ap-
pear.
NEGOTIATIONS AT AN END.
With this last overture In the direction OF I'M
mediate peace and its disappointing reception
by Spain the Executive was brought to the emo
OF his effort. In my annual Message or De
cember last said:
"Of the untried measures there remain only
recognition OF the insurgents as Delligerehts'
recognition OF the Independence of CUBA; neutrai
Intervention to end the war by imposing
rational compromise between the contestants
and Intervention in favor OF one or the other
rarity I speak not Of forcible annexation Tor
that cannot be thought Of That by our code OF
morality would be criminal aggression.
Thereupon l reviewed these alternatives. in
the light OF President Grants measured WORDS.
uttered in 1873. when. after seven years or
sangunary destructive and cruel hostties in
Cuba he reached the conclusion that the recog-
milton Of the independence Of Cuba was imprac-
ticable and indefensibe. and that the reCos-
milton Of belligerence was not warranted by the
facts according TO the tests Of public law
commented especially upon the latter aspect or
the question. pointing out the inconvenience
and positive dangers OF recognition OF bellig-
erence. which. while adding TO the already oner-
Gus burdens OF neutrality within our own juris-
Huence or effective Offices in the territory OF
hostilities Nothing has since occurred to
change nv view In this regard-and l recognize
as fully now as then that the issuance OF a
proclamation OF neutrality by which process
the so-called recognition of belgerence Is pub
lished, could. Of itself and unattended by other
action. accomplish nothing toward the one end
for which We labor-the instant pacifcation or
Cuba and the cessation Of the misery that af-
ficts the island.
PRECEDENTs AGAINST RECOGNITION
Turning to the question Of recognizing at this
time the Independence Of the present insurgent
government in Cuba. find safe precedents
In our history from an early day. They are well
summed UP In President Jackson's message TO
Congress. December q. 1896. on the subject Of
the recognition OF the independence OF Texas.
He said:
In all the contests that have arisen out OF the
revolutions OF France. out Of the disputes reat-
ing to the crowns 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 occurring
struggles for dominion In Spanish America, so
wisely consistent with our just principles has
. been the action Of our Government that we
. have under the most critical circumstances
avoided all ccnsurc and encountered no other