Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-04-22

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less to Spain than to the Cubans, who
have SO much to lose by the prolongation
of the struggle, to seek to bring about an
immediate termination of the war. To
this end, l submitted, on the 9th ultira0,
as q result of much representation and
s sarTesp %id;sfer NJ M MN%r|a rr tine United I'd
the Spanish government looking to an
armisticc until Oct. / for the negotiation
of peace with the good Offices of the Pres
ident.
In addition I asked the immediate revo-
cation of the order of recommendation. so
as to permit the people to return to their
provisions aud 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 ultimo.
1t offers. as the means to bring about
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 lessened
does not meet until the 4th of May next,
the Spanish government would not object,
for its part, to accept at once II susren-
sion of hostilities. if asked for by the in
surgents from the general i'll 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 We're both in the form of
brief memoranda, the texts of which are
before me-, and are substantially in the
language above given. The function of
the Cuban parliament in the matter of
ri rp,a ti,n ny ,nca1 rrl A1.. e "a.
doing SO are not expressed i'll the Span
ish memorandum; but from General
,Moodford,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
whether by direct negotiation or Indirect.
ly by means of legislation 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 l said:
"Of the untried measures three remain:
Recognition Of the insurgents as belliger-
cnts; 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. l speak
not of forcible annexation. for that can
not he thought of. That. by our code of
morality. would be criminal aggression"
Thereupon ! reviewed these alterna-
tives, in tie light of President Grants
measured words, uttered in 1915, when,
after seven years of sanguinary. destruct-
i've and cruel barbarities in Cuba, lie
reached the conclusion that the recogni-
ton of the independence of Cuba was i'm
practicable and indcfensible; and that the
recognition of bclligerencc was not war
ranted by the facts. according to the tests
OF puDiic law. l commented especially
upon the latter aspect of the question,
pointing out the Inconvenience and posi-
tive II of n recognition of belliger-
eneE which. while adding to the already
oneroms burdens of neutrality within our
own jurisdiction. could not in any way
extend our influence or effective offices in
the territory of hostilitics.
Nothing has since occurred to change
my view i'll this regard-and l recognize
as fully now as then that the issue of n
proclamation of neutrality. by which
process the so-called recognition of bel
llserence Is published could. of itself and
nothing toward the one end for which we
labor. the instant pacitication of Cuba
and the cessation of the misery that af-
tlicts the island.
Jackson on Recognition.
turning to the question Of recognizing at
THIS time The independence of the present
ihsafgeht government in Cuba. we find safe
rreceteHis in our history from an early
day. They are well summed up in President
Jacksen's message to Congress Dee. 81. 1876,
On the subject of the recognition of The indie.
pendeHct OF Texas. He said: "In all The
contests that have arisei, ont of tile revolu-
lions OF France: out of the disputes relating
the separation of the American possessions
of both from the European governments and
out OIL tiie numerous and constantly occur
ring struggles for dominion in Spanish Amer
ica. Sc Wisely consistent with our just prin-
cip!es has been the action of our govern
ineit that we have. under the most critical
circumstances avoided hill ceilsllre and en-
countcred no other evil than that produced
those against whom we have been by force
Of evidence compelled to decide.
ut has thus made known TO the world that
the uniform policy and practice of the Unit
ted States Is to avoid all interference in dis
putes which merely relate to the Internal
government of other nations. and eventually
to recognize the authority Of the prevailing
party without reference to our particular In
terests and Views as to the merits of the
original controversy.
but on this, as on every other. trying
oSsoSAohs saAety ~ 10 Uc IOuuU III Il rigid al.
herence to principle.
I'm the contest between Spain and the re-
VOTED 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
subtugated Ind entirely passed away. Then,
and not until then, were they recognized.
such was our course In regard to Mexico her.
self.
Case of Texas,
"lt Is true that with regard to Texas the
civil authority of Mexico has been expelled,
Its invading army defeated, the chief Of the
republic himself captured n all present
power to control the newly-Organized gov
eminent annihilated within It's confines.
But. on the other hand, there is. in appear
ance at least, an immense disparity of physi-
cal force on the side of Texas. The Mexican
republic. under another executive, is rally
Ing Its forces under q new leader and men,
acins a fresh invasion to recover Its lost do
minion.
upon the issue of this threatened invasion
the independence of Texas may be consid-
cred as suspended; aud were there nothing
peculiar In the situation Of the United States
and Texas. our acknowledgment of its indie
pendence at such a crisis could scarcely be
regarded as consistent with that prudent re-
serve with which We have hitherto held our
selves bound to treat all similar questions