Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-08
OLNEY REVIEWS CUBAN WAR
Secretary of State Foreshadows Radical
Change of Policy.
OUR RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN NATIONS
Minor Matters of Dispute with the
Governments of Many Countries
Touched Upon for the In
formation of Congress.

time wltnln the memory OF OLDEST OHlClalS,
the secretary of state has made a regular
report to the president for transmission to
congress, like the reports OF other officers
Of the cabinet. This report was laid before
congress today as an appendix to the presi-
dents message. 1t treats on many details
of our relationships during the past year
with foreign governments that either were
not touched upon at all in the message or
we're more briefly treated
Under the head of Spain, Secretary Olney
has much to say in regard to Cuba, and
in his report he sets out in great detail the
story of the growth OF the rebellion, the
present evil state of affairs on the island
and other facts upon which the president
bases his broad statement and conclusions.
No reference Is made to a report from Con-
sui General Lee, but the secretary inti-
mates that his information comes prin-
cipally from the United States consul, and
so must be regarded as confidential as to its
source.
The secretary's estimate OF the present
situation is disclosed in the following para
graph, made after a preliminary statement
of the destruction of the industrial resources
of Cuba.
From whatever point of view we regard
the matter, IL is impossible not
to discern that state OF things exists at
our doors alike dangerous TO good relations,
destructive of legitimate commerce, fatal to
the internal resources of Cuba, and most
veXatious and trying because entailing upon
this government excessive burdens in It's
domestic administration and in Its outward
relations. This situation cannot indefinitely
continue without growing still worse and the
time may not be far distant when the United
States must seriously consider it's rights
and interests. as well as it's interna tional
duties. If, indeed. its public relations to the
island do not call for some decided change
in the policy hitherto pursued"
To begin with, the secretary makes il
plain that the present nsurrection is far
more formidable than the famous "ten-year
insurrectiOn" which began at Yara in 1868.
lie says that starting in the same portion
OF the island, 1t very early took proportions
beyond lis predecessor and assumed the ag-
gressive phase. Passing the defensive lines
Of the trochas, traversing the island from
north and south formidable bodies of the
revolutionary forces early in the year estab-
lished sugar planting districts in Santa
Clara and Cienfuegcs. made hostile forays
almost in sight of Havana itself and advanc-
ing westward affected n lodgment in the
fertile tobacco fields OF Pinar Del Rio. which
has so far resisted all efforts of the Spanish
forces to overcome.
STRENGTH OF THE INSURGENTS.
The secretary says that while no prominen
seaport has been attacked by the insurgents
q large part of 2,200 miles OF seacoast is
practically in their hands, and from its
rugged and wild character is peculiarly
fitted for guerrilla warfare and affords easy
means of landing clandestine supplies of men
and arms. The secretary adds:
while thus in fact controlling the large
part of the island of Cuba from Cape San
Antonio to Cape Maisi, and enjoying practi-
cally unhindered large part of the coast
the revolutionary forces are scattered, never
being united for a length of time necessary
to fnsY, a,., L.. 80 -s,
and fit TO take the defensive in a pitched
battle. Assembling suddenly at a given
point, often in a single night, they make
unexpected sallies or carry destruction to the
tobacco and cane fields of Cuba and ut the
first sign of pursuit or organized assault
they disperse only to assemble in like man
rer at some other spot"
AS bearing upon the question of recog-
milton of the insurgents, which is to come
up in some shape before congress, the fol-
lowing statement from Mr.. Oney is of
Importance in explaining his reasons for
formation shows there Is not only no cf-
fective local government by the insurgents
in the territory they overrun, but there
is not even tangible pretense to estao-
lish an administration anywhere. Their
organization is confined TO shifting eXi-
goncies of military operations of The hour
is nomadic, without definite centers and
lacking the most elementary features of
lnunlClpdl government. mere NOWHERE dp-
pears the nucleus of statehood. The ma
chinery OF the exercising OF legitimate
rights and powers of sovereignty ard re-
spending to the obligations which de facto
sovereignty entails in the face of equal
rieihts of other states, is conspicuously
lacking. 1t is not possible to discern
homogeneous political entity, possessing and
exercising the functions OF administration
and capable, If left to itself of main'ain-
ing orderly government in its own terri
it,ip Lot invg Will
the external family of governments"
NOT ENTIRELY RESPONSIBLE.
He illustrates his point as to the ire
sponsibiity of the insurgents by citing
their destruction of American plantations
and oppression of American planters who
grind cane, which he characterizes az acts
of anarchy. On the other hand he shows
that in the capital cities and seaports and
all parts of the island, with which the
United States or its citizens maintain legiti-
mate normal intercourse, the Spanish
power is supreme, though often exercised
in vexatious and arbitrary way, calling
for Just remonstrance, and that most OF
the functions of government proceed as in
time of peace. Referring to his compari-
son of this insurrection with those that
have preceded it, Secretary Olncy makes
this significant statement:
From every accessible indication It Is
clear the present rebellion Is on far
more formidable scale as to numbers, in
telIigencc and representative features than
any of the preceding reVots of this CEN
tury: that the corresponding effort of
Spain for its suppression has been Znor-
mousy augmented. and that, despite the
influx Of fresh armies and material
of war from the metropolis, the rebellion,
after nearly two years of successful re-
appears today TO be in condition
to indefinitely prolong the contest on its
present lines.
He also compliments the tactical skill dis
PLAYED by tho leaders OF the insuTreCtion,
saying that when the disparity OF numbers
and the comparatively indefensible charac-
ter Of the central and western vega country
are considered. the passage of a considera-
BILE force to Pinar del Rio, followed by itG
successful maintenance there for many
months must be regarded as a military sue
cess of pronounced character.
Tie secretary speaks of the appalling
phases of the struggle such as often appear
In contests among the Latin races OF the
western hemisphere, of the eXcesses and
foroeful and arbitrary acts OF the military,
OF the ravaging of private property the
violation of principles OF civilized war by
officials. and the killing OF
He says:
large part of the correspondence of the
State department with its agents in cuba
has been devoted to the cases OF assault
upon the rights of our citizens In no
energetic appeal been omitted. But the
of the Spanish power often
find II easily practicable TO postpone eX-
planation and reparation on the ground
Of alleged ignorance of facts or for other
plausible reasons.
The secretary next treats at length of
the financial and Industrial losses inflicted
III H. Ia.