The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-12-12
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our Standing with the Nations of
the World.
Secretary of State Olney Makes a Report
conditions May Cause Change In
Our Policy Toward Cuba
Other Topics.

the secretary OF state referred TO in the
presidents message is printed docu-
ment Of 80 pages. summarizing the for
eign relations OF the United Stntes dur
Ing the past year. The nations are
taken up in alphabetical order and the
progress and political condition Of their
negotiations with this country are con-
cisely presented. Ii was from this re-
port that the president drew material
for the foreign subjects dweit upon in
his message.
On the Cuban question Secretary
Olney has much TO say. and this is
briefly summarized ms follows:
He sets out IN great detail the history ~
the growth OF the rebellion. the present
evil state OF Affairs on the island and other
facts upon which the president bases his
proao statement and conclusions. No ref
erence Is made 20 report from Consul
General Lee. but the secretary intlmates
that HIS Information comes principally
from the United States consuls. and 80
must be regarded as confidential as TO its
source. The secretary's estimate OF the
present situation is disclosed In the fol-
lowing paragraph, made after prelimi-
nary statement OF the destruction OF the
Industrial resources OF Cuba:
lnsurrection Formidable
from wnatever point OF view we regard
the matter, II Is impossible not 10 discern
that a state OF things exists at our doors
alike dangerous 10 good relations destruc-
tive OF legitimate commerce, fatal TO the
Internal resources OF Cuba and most vexa-
tious and trying because entailing upon
this government excessive burdens I'm its
domestic administra ton and In its outward
relations. This situation cannot indefinite
ly continue without growing still worse,
and the time may not be far distant when
the United States must seriously consider
whether it's rights and interests. as well
as It's international duties. In view OF it's
peculiar relation to the island, do not call
for some decided change In the policy hith-
erto pursued"
To begin with, the secretary makes Il
plain that the present insurrection Is far
more formidable than the famous ten
year insurrection" which began at Yara In
1858. He says that. starting In the same
portion OF the island, IL very early took
proportions beyond It's predecessor. and
Herewith assumed an aggressive Phase.
Passing the defensive limos or trochaS
traversing the island from north 10 south,
formidable bodies OF the revolutionary
forces early In the year established them
selves In the rich sugar-plantng districts
OF Santa Clara and Cienfugos, made hos
tile forays almost In sight OF Havana II
self, and, advancing westward, effected
Judgment in the fertile tobacco fields OF
Pinar del Rio, which has so far resisted
all efforts OF the Spanish forces TO over
come
The secretary says that while no prom
inent seaport has been attacked by tho
insurgents. a large part OF the 1900 miles
of seacoast Is practically In their hands,
and from it's rugged and wild character Is
peculiarly fitted for guerrilla warfare and
AFFORD. easy means OF receiving clandestlne
supplies OF men and arms. The secretary
adds:
while thus. I'm fact. controlling the large
Ill. frIA - INs4I4 ER.a
Cape San Antonio to Cape Maisi. and en-
Joying practically unlimited use or an
equally large part Of the coast. the revolu-
tionary forces are scattered, being no.
where united for any length OF time TO
form an army capable OF attack or siege
and nj 10 take the defensive In a pitched
battle Assembling suddenly at given
point. often In a single night, they make
unexpected sallies or carry destruction 10
.he tobacco and cane fields OF Cuba. and at
tho first sign OF pursuit or organized as
sault they dispense. only TO reassemble at
some other spot"
As to Recognition.
As bearing upon the question OF recog-
milton OF the insurgents. probably soon TO
come before congress In some shape. the
following statement by Secretary Olney Is
OF Importance as explaining his reasons
for declining reccgnsticni
80 far as our Information shows, there
is not only no effective local government
by the insurgents In the territories over
run, but there 10 not even tangible pre-
tense to established administration any
where. Their organization. confined TO
the shifting exigencies OF the military OPP
erations OF the hour. n nomadic. without
definite centers and lacking the most ele-
mentary features OF municipal govern
ment. There nowhere appears the nucleus
OF statehood. The machinery for exercis-
ing the legitimate rights and powers OF
sovereignty and responding TO the ohliga-
lions which de facto sovereignty entails In
the face OF equal rights OF other states IL
conspicuously lacking. IL Is not possible
10 discern n Homogeneous political entity
OF possessing and exercising the functions
OF administration, ana capable. II left 10
itself OF maintaining orderly government
In it's own territory and sustaining normal
relations with the external family OF gov
eminent"
Acts of Anarchy.
The secretary illustrates his point as 20
the responsibility OF the insurgents by
citing their destruction OF American planta-
lions and oppression OF American planters.
who grind cane. which ne characterizes
as acts OF anarchy. On the other hand. no
shows that in the capital cities and sea-
ports. and all parts OF the island with
which the United States or its citizens
maintain legitimate normal intercourse.
the Spanish power In supreme. though
often exercised I'm n vexatious and arbi-
trary way. calling for just remonstrance,
anu flubt VI lHt AdtAtAtoHa Va bONtAhAhtAh
proceed as I'm time OF peace.
Recurring TO his comparison OF this In
eurrectlon with those that have preceded
II. Secretary Olney makes this Significant
statement:
From every accessible indication II n
clear that the present rebellion is on far
more formidable scale as 20 numbers. In
telligence and representative features than
any OF the preceding revolts OF this CEN
fury: that the corresponding effort OF
spain for It's repression has been enor-
mously augmented. and that despite the
constant influx OF fresh armies and ma
terial OF war from the metropolis. the re-
bellion, after nearly two years OF success
ful resistance. appears to-day to be In
condition TO indefinitely prolong the con-
test on It's present lines"
The secretary speaks of the appalling
phases OF the struggle, such as often APP
pear In contests among the Latin races OF
the western hemisphere; OF the excuses
and forceful and arbitrary acts OF the milf
tary: OF the ravaging OF private property.