The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-12-08
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Continued from First Page J

the entire country Is cither ciNGn over 10
anarchy or is subject to {, military occu-
patton of one or the other Hrty 1t is re
ported, indeed, on reliable authority that,
at tie demand of the commander in chief
Of the insdryent army the putative Cuban
government has now given up all attempt
To exercise its functions, leaving that gov
ernmcnt con esscdly (wEt there is the
best reason for suppOsinF Il always to have
been, in fac) government merely on pa
per.
Were the Spanish armies able to meet
their antagonists in the OF On or in pitched
battle, prompt and decisive results might
be iou ked for, and the immc.. q superiority
of the Spanish forces In numbers disci-
p!re and equipment cou,d hardly fail TO
tell greatly to their advantage. But they
are called upon TO face foe that shuns
general engagements; that can choose and
does choose its own ground; that, from the
nature of the country, is visible or invisi
BILE at pleasure, and that fights only from
ambuscade and when all the advantages Of
position and numbers are on its side. In
a country where all that is Indispensable
to life in the way of food clothing and
shelter is so easily obtainable, especially
by those born and bred on the soil, it ia
time during which hostilities of this sort
may be prolonged. Meanwhile, as in all
cases of protracted civil strife, the passions
of the combatants grow more and more in
famed, and excesses ON both sides become
more frequent and more deplorable.
Marauding Bands.
They are also participated in by bands
of marauders, who, now in the name of
in, ha of ba
other as may best suit the occasion, harry
the country mt will and plumber it's wretch
ed inhabitants for their own advantage.
Such a condition of things would inevi.
tably entail immense destruction of proper
ty even if it were the policy of both parties
to prevent 1t as far as practicable. But,
while such seemed to he the original policy
of the Spanish government, it has now APP
parently abandoned 1t and is acting upon
the same theory as the einsurgents--name-
ly, that the exigencics of the contest re-
quire the wholesale annihilation of proper
ty that it may not prove of use and adj
vantage 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now being withdrawn from plantations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 the towns. The sure re-
value of the island is fast diminishing, and
that unless there is a speedy and radical
change in existing conditions it will soon
disappear altogether. That value consists
very largely, of course, in its capacity to
produce sugar-a capacity already much
reduced by the Interruptions to tillage
which have taken place during the last
two years. 1t is reliably asserted that
should these Interruptions continue during
the current year and practically extend, as
is now threatened, to the entire sugar pro-
ducing territory of the island, so much
time and so much money will be required
TO restore the land to its normal produc-
tiveness that it is extremely doubtful II
capital can be induced to even make the
attempt.
The spectacle of the utter ruin of an ad-
joining country, by nature one Of the most
fertile and charming on the globe would
engage the serious attention of the govern
ment and people of the United States in
any circumstances. In point of fact, they
have a concern with it which is by no
means of wholly sentimental or philan-
thropic character. 1t lies so near to us as
TO be hardly separated from our territory.
Our actual pecuniary interest in it Is sec
ond only to that of the people and govern
ment of Spain. 1t is reasonably estimated
that at least from $50, 000, 900 to $50, 900,
900 of American capital is invested in
plantations and in railroad mining and
other business enterprises on the island.
The volume of trade between the United
States and Cuba, which In 1889 amounted
to about $64 000 900, rose in 1898 to about
$103, 100000, and in 1894, the year before
the present insurrection broke out, amount
ed to nearly $96, 900, 900. Besides this
large pecuniary stake in the fortunes OF
Cuba the United States finds itself mex
tricably involved in the present contest in
other ways both vexatious and costly.
As to Cuban Americans.
Many Cubans reside In this country and
indirectly promote the insuTectior
through the press, by public meetings, by
the purchase and shipment of arms, by the
raising of funds and by other means which
the spirit of our institutions and the tenol
of our laws do not permit to be made til,
subject of criminal prosee, TORS, Some N
them, though Cubans at heart Gud in al
their feelings and interests have taken Out
papers as naturalized citi. ems of the United
States proceeding resorted to with view
TO possible protection by this government
and not unnaturally regarded with much
Indignation by the country of their origin
The insurgents are undoubtedly encouf
aged and supported by the widespread sym
;, pathy the people of this country always
and instinctiyely feel for every struggle fol
better and freer government, and which
in the case of the more adventurous anC
restless elements of our population, leads
in only too many instances to active and
personal participation in the contest The
result is chat this government is constant
ly called upon to protect American citi2ons
TO claim damages for injuries to persons
and roperty, now estimated ut many mil
lions of dollars, and 20 ask explanations
ard apologies for the acts of Spanish Off
'cials, whose zeal for the repression of re
Gellon sometimes blinds them to the i'm
munities belonging to the unoffending cit
liens of friendly power. 1t follows from