The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-12-09
0Iney on Cuba.
An Extraordinary Report by
the Secretary of State.


the Secretary Of State has made a regu-
lar report to the President fo7 trans
mission to Congress. like the reports of
other officials Of the Cabinet. This re-
port was laid before Congress to-day as
an appendix to the Presidents message.
It treats Of many details of American
relations during the past year with for
eign governments that either we're not
touched upon at all in the message or
were more briefly treated
Under the head Of Spain. Secretary
Olney has much to say 10 reference to
Cuba. and 10 his reports he sets out 10
great detail the history of the growth
of the rebellion, the present evil state
Of affairs on the island aud other facts
upon which the President bases bis
broad statements aud conclusions. No
reference is made to report from Con-
sui General Lee. but the Secretary ipti-
mates that his information comes priu-
cipally from the United States Cousuls,
so must be regarded as confidential as to
its source. TIE Secre,ary's estimate of
the present situation is disclosed 10
paragraph made after a preliminary
statement Of the destruction Of the in-
dustrial resources OF Caba. saying {:
s'From whatever point Of view we re-
gard the matter. it is impossible not to
discern that state Of things exists at
our doors alike dangerous to good reIa-
tions, destructive Of legitimate con-
merce, fatal to the internal resources of
Cuba aDd most vexatious and trying be-
cause eutailiog upon this government
excessive burdens 10 its domestic admin.
istration aud in it's outward relations.
This situation cannot indefinitely con-
tinue without growing still worse, and
the time may not be far distant when
the Uoned States must seriously consid-
er whether its rights aud interests as
we'll as It's ia,ernational duties, 10 view
Of it's peculiar relations to the island. do
not call for some decided change in the
policy hitherto pursued
70 begio With. the Secretary makes
it plain that the present insurrection ls
far more formidable than the famous
'.ten years insurrect;ou," which began
at Yars 10 1868. He says that, start
iog 10 ,ae sane portion Of the island,
1t very early took proportions beyond
It's predecessor and there vas assumed
an aggressive phase. Passing the de
sensiye lines Of tTocbas, traverslug the
island from North to South, formidable
bodies of the revolutionary forces early
in the year established themselves in
the rich sugar planting districts Of
Santa Cara, Cienfugos aud Mataozas,
made hostile fo7ays almost 10 sight of
Habana itself. and. advancing West
ward. effected lodgment in the fertile
tobacco fields, of Pinar del Rio, which
has 80 far resisted all efforts of the
Spanish forces 80 overcome. The SEQ
retary says that while no prominent
seaport has been attacked by the iosur-
gents, large part of the 2,2oo miles
Of scacoass is practically in their hands,
aud from its rugged and wild charac-
ter is peculiarly fitted for guerrilla var
fare ADD affords means OF receiving
ciandestine supplies of men and arms.
Bearing upon the question OF recog-
nl:;on c; the Insurgents. probably soon
to come before Congress 10 some shape,
Secretary Obey says:
$50 far as on, information shows.
there is nos oalg 40 effective local gov
eromeot by the insurgents IN the terri
tories they overrun, but there is oct
even a tangible preseuoe to establish ad-
ninis,rasion anywhere Their organl-
zatiop, conGned to the shifting exigen-
cies Of the military operations OF the
hour. is nomadic, without definite
centres and lacking the most elementary
fe easures of municipal government.
There nowhere appears the nucleus of
statehood.''
\ The Secretary illustrates bis point as
u, Z. ;;.roanone % ihi1;kp of tha insurentS