Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1896-12-12
ON THE CUBAN INSURRECTION
RECOGNITION of Be1Iigerency MT.
Cleveland Deems UnXYise.

Recognition of BeIHgerency Mr..
Cleveland Deems Unvvise.
The instruction in Cuba still continues
with all its perplexities. 1t Is difficult to
perceive that any progress has thus far
been made towards the pacification of the
island, or that the situation of affairs as
depicted in my last annual message mas
in the least improved. If Spain still holds
Havana and the seaports and all the con-
siderable towns, the insurgents still run
at will over at least tWo-thirds OF the
island country. The determination OF
Spain to put down the insurrection seems
but to strengthen with the lapse of time
and is evidenced by her unhesitating de-
votion of largely increased military ana
naval forces to the task. There is much
reason to believe that the insurgents have
gained in number character and re-
sources, and are none the less intleXible IN
their resolve not to SucCumb without
practically securing the great object Tor
W hich they took up arms. If Spain has
not yet re-estabushed her authority,
neither have the insurgents yet made
good their claim to be regarded as an in
dependent state. Indeed, as the contest
has gone on, the pretense that civil gov
eminent exists on the island, except SO
far as Spain is able to maintain 1t, has
been practically refuted. Spain does Keep
foot such a government, more or less
imperfectly, in the large towns and the
immediate suburbs; but that exception be-
ing made, the entire country Is either
given over to anarchy or is subject to the
military occupation Of one or the other
party. 1t is reported, indeed, on reliable
authority, that at the demand Of the COM
mander-in-chief of the insurgent army
the putative Cuban government has now
given up all attempt to exercise its func-
lions, leaving that government confessed
ly (what there is best reason for suppos-
ing it always has been in facD govern
ment merely on paper.
No Decisive Battles.
Were the Spanish armies able to meet
their antagonists in the open or in pitched
battle, prompt and decisive result might
be looked for, and the immense superior
ity of the Spanish forces in numbers, dis
cipline and equipment could hardly fail to
tell greatly to their advantage. But they
are called upon to face a foe that shuns
general engagements that can choose ana
does choose it's own ground, that from the
nature of the country is visible or invisi-
4 BILE, 1t pleasure, and that fights only from
ambuscade and when all the advantages
Of position and numbers are on It's side.
In a country where all these causes are
dependent, especially by those born and
/ bred on the soil, it is obvious that there is
hardly a limit to the time during which
! hostlites of this sort may be prolonged.
! Meanwhile, as in all cases of civil STRIFE,
! the passions of the combatants grow more
| and more infamed and excuses on bOth
| sides become more frequent and more de-
| plOrable.
! Guerilla Fighting.
They are also participated in by bands
) of marauders, who, now In the name OF
/ one party and now in the name of the
! other, as may best suit the occasion, ha-
! rass the country at will and plumber It's
! Wretched inhabitants for their own nd-
vantage. Such a condition Of things would
inevitably entail immense destruction OF
property, even If it were the policy OF both
parties TO prevent it as far as practicable
But while such seemed to be the original
policy of the Spanish government, 1t mas
now apparently abandoned it, and Is act
ing upon the same theory as the insur-
gents, namely, that the eXigencies Of the
| contests require the wholesale annihila-
ton Of property that 1t may not prove OF
any use and advantage to the enemy.
1t is to the same end that in pursuance
of general orders, Spanish garrisons are
now being withdrawn from plantations
and the rural population required to con
centrate itself in towns. The sure result
would seem to be that the industrial
value of the island Is fast diminishing
and that unless there Is a speedy ant
radical change in existing conditions il
will soon disappear altogether Thai
value consists largely, OF course, In its ca
pacity to produce sugar, capacity al
: ready much reduced by the interruptions