The National tribune., 1903-04-16
THE AMERICANS s
SPANISH WAR.
Continued from first page,

on grounds of international comfy. TO dis
regard its endangered interests and remain
Il passive spectator of the contest for a
reasonable time while the titular authority
lis depressing the disorder. The essence of
this moral Oblga ton lies in the reasonable
ness of the delay invited by circumstances
aud by the effect of the territorial author
ity to assert its claimed rights. The on
looking nation need only wait IA reasonable
time before alleging and acting upon the
rights which it. too, possesses. This
proposition is not legal subtlety, but
A BROAD PRINCIPLE OF INTERNATIONAL
Comfy AND LAW.
'The question arises. then. whether
Spain has not already had Il reasonable
time to restore peace and been unable to
do so. even by Il concentration of her re-
sources and measures of unparalleled
severity which have received very general
condemnation. The methods which Spain
has adopted to wage the fight give no
prospect of immediate peace or of Il stable
return to the conditions of prosperity
which are essential to Cuba in its inter-
course with its reghtors. Spain's in
ability entails upon the United States Il
degree of injury and suffering which can
not longer he ignored. Assuredly Spain
can not expect this Government TO sit idle.
letting vast interest suffer. our political ele-
mems ulStUrDeu, anu tue country pPTpttu-
ally embroiled. while no progress is being
made i'll the settlement of the Cuban prob
lem. Such Il policy of inaction would i'll
reality prove of 10 benefit to Spain. while
certain to do the United States meal
crlable harm. This Government. strong
in its sense of right and duty, yet keenly
symrathetic with the aspirations of any
neighboring community in close touch with
our own civilization. is naturally DESTROYS
30 - I'M
tation of Il result which would be pain
fully abhorrent to the American people.
For all of the reasons before stated the
President feels it his duty to make the
STRONGEST POSSIBLE EFFORT
to help bring about a result which shall
be in conformity alike with the feelings of
our peop,e. the inherent rights of civilized
man, and be of advantage both to Cuba
and to Spain. Difficult as the task may
seem now, it is believed that frankness.
earnestness. perseverance. and fair re-
gard for the rights of others, will eyentu-
ally solve the problem.
1T should be borne in mind from the
start hat it is far removed from the feel
iDgs of the American people and the mind
of the President to propose any solution
to which the slightest idea of humiliation
to Spain could i'll any way be attached.
But no possible intention or occasion to
wound the just susceptibilities of the
Castilian nation can be discerned in the
altogether friendly suggestion that the
good offices of the United States may now
be lent to the advantage Of Spain.
You are hereby instructed to bring
these considerations as promptly as pOSsi-
BILE. but with due allowance for favorable
conditions. to the attention of the Gov
eminent of Her Majesty the Queen Re
gent. with all the impressiveness which
their importance demands, and with all
the earnestness which the constantly i'm
periled national interests of the United
States justifes. You will emphasize the
self-restraint which this Government has
hitherto observed until endurance has
ceased to be tolerable or even possible for
any longer indefinite term. You will lay
special stress on the
UNsELFIsH FRIENDLINEsS OF OUR
DESIRES,
and upon the high purpose and sincere
wish of the United States to give its aid
only that a peaceful and enduring result
may be reached. just and honorable alike
TO Spain and the Cuban people. and only
so far as such aid may accomplish the
wished-for ends. In so doing. you will not
Disguise the gravity of the situation, nor
conceal the Presidents conviction that,
should this present effort be fruitless. his
duty TO his cOuntrymen will necessitate
an early decision. as to the course of action
which the time and the transcendent
emergency may demand.
''As to the manner in which the assist
ance of the United States can be effective
ly rendered in the Cuban situation, the
President has no desire to embarrass the
Government of Spain by formulating pre-
else proposals. All that is asked or eX-
pected is that some safe way may be pro-
vided for action which the United States
may undertake with justice and self
Il lasting one. honorable and advantageo
to Spain and to Cuba and equitable to the
United States.
For the accomplishment of this end.
now and in the future. our Government
offers it's most kindly offices through your
self. Respectfully. yours.
In accordance with his letter of instruc
tons. Minister Woodford presented a
lengthy note to the Duke of Tetuan, Min
lister of War of Spain. III which he out
lined very fully, though far less vigorously
than Secretary Sherman had. his instruc-
tions from the United States. and at the
same time placed before the Duke pic
ture of the conditions surrounding the
United States and Cuba in the revolution
then going on.
THE SPANISH ANSWER.
The reply of the Duke of Tetnan was
wordy and windy. 1t read as though Illus
trating the epigram of Tallyrand-that
language is the diplomatic use of words
to conceal ones meaning. The Duke made
new promises TO grant autonomy to Cuba,
to lift the burden of taxation, to break up
the recommendation camps, and, in short.
promised any Cd thing. if the United
States would just hold off the dogs of war.
They even promised to recall Weyler. and
in this promise was the bitterness of
death, for on that throw Spain had staked
her hopes of saving Cuba. and when the
Butcher let go his grip Spain saw her last
hope fade.
Weyler was recalled. That was the only
promise of all those made by the Minister
for War that was kept. Conditions in
Cuba grew worse all the time. The peo-
pie of the United States grew more rest
less. and the pressure on Congress by
them was almost irresistible.
In turn. Congress besieged the President
to do something The widest theories
were promulgated by the representatives
Of the various States in debate in both
bodies, and fantastic plans for relief were
suggested, but Of these the President
would have none. He did not want to
involve the country in war. and he be-
lieved that Spain could be eventually
brought to see the right. and Cuba be
freed without further blOodshed.
In pursuance of the friendly policy
which President MCKINLEY all tho Tina