The record-union., 1896-12-08
CUBAN INSURRECTlON.
The Time Has Not Yet Arrived for
This Government to Intervene.

The 1nSurrectlon in Cuba still con-
tinues with all it's perplexities. 1t IS
difficult to perceive that any progress
has thus far been made toward the
pacification of the island or that the
situation of affairs as depicted in my
last annual message has in the least
improved. If Spain still holds Havana
and the sea ports and all the consider
able towns, the insurgents still roam at
will over at least two-thirds of the
island country. If the determination of
Spain to put down the insurrection
seems but to strengthen with the lapse
of time, and is evinced by her unhesi-
tating devotion of largely increased
military and naval forces to the task,
there is much reason to believe that the
insurgents have gained in point of num-
bers and character, and resources, and
are none the less infexible in their re-
solve not to succumb, without practi-
cally securing the great object for
which they took up arms.
If Spain has not yet re-established
her authority, neither have the insur-
gents yet made good their title to be
regarded as an independent State. In
deed, as the contest has gone on the
pretense that civil government exists
on the island,t except SO far as Spain
is able to maintain it, has been practi-
cally abandoned. Spain does keep on
foot such a Government, more or less
perfectly. in the large towns and their
immediate suburbs But, that excep-
ton being made, the entire country is
either given over to anarchy or is sub
ject to the military occupation of one
or the other party.
THE END NOT IN SIGHT.
1t is reported, indeed on reliable
authority, that at the demand of the
Commander-in-C of the insurgent
army, the putative Cuban Government
has now given up all attempt to ex-
ercise its functions, leaving that Gov
ernment confessedly Cwhat there is the
best reason for supposing it always to
have been in facD a Government merely
on paper 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 superiority of the Spanish
forces in numbers, discipline and equip
ment could hardly fail to tell greatly
to their advantage.
But they are called to face a foe that
shuns general engagements; that can
choose, and does choose, its own
ground; that from the nature of the
country is visible or invisible at pleas
ure, and that fights only ambushed.
and when the advantage of position
and numbers are on its side. In coun-
try where all that is indispensable to
life in the way of food, clothing and
shelter is so easily obtainable, espe-
cially by those born and bred on the
soil, it is obvious that there is hardly
a limit to the time during which hos
tflities of this sort may be prolonged.
A POLICY OF DESTRUCTION.
Meanwhile in all case of protracted
civil strife, the passions of the COM
batants grow more and more infiamed,
and excesses on both sides become more
frequent and more deplorable. They
are also participated in by bands Of
maurauders. who now in the name of
one party and now in the name of the
other, as may best suit the occasion.
harass the country at will and plunder
its wretched inhabitants for their own
advantage. Such a condition of things
would inevitably detail immense de-
truction of property, even If 1t were the
policy of both parties TO prevent 1t rs
far as practicable. But while such
seemed to be the original policy of the
Spanish Government, it has now ap-
parently abandoned it and is acting
upon the same theory as the insurgents,
namely, that the exigencies of the con-
test require the wholesale annihilation
of property, that il may not prove of
any use and advantage to the enemy.
It is to the same end that in pursu-
ance OF general orders Spanish garri-
sons are now being withdrawn from
plantations, and the rural population
required to concentrate itself in the
towns. The sure result would seem to
be that the industrial value of the
island is fast diminishing, and that un-
less there is a speedy and radical
change in existing conditions it will soon
disappear altogether. That value con-
sists very largely. Of course, in its ca
pacity to produce sugar, a capacity al
ready very much reduced by the in
terruptions TO tillage, which have taken
place during the last two years. 1t IS
reliably asserted that should these in
terrupdons continue during the cur
rent year. and practically extend. as is
now threatened, to the entire sugar
producing territory of the island. so
much time and SO much money will be