New-York tribune., 1896-12-08
ON FOREIGN RELATIONS.
SECRETARY OLNEY SUBMITS A REPORT
TO THE PRESIDENT.

A REIGN or ARBITRARY ANARCHY" EXISTING
IN cuBA-ErFoRrs TO PROTECT AMERICAN
CIrIzENs-ruE VENEZUELAN SETTLE
MEXr AND THE GENERAL ARBIrRA-
TON TREATY - CONTROVERSY
WITH GERMANY - THE
SAMOAN QUESTION.
Washington Dec. THE report Of the Secrss
tary OF State, to which President Cleveland re-,
fers in his message to Congress. states that the
relations of the United States with foreign Pow.
ers continue upon that footing Of harmony and
friendliness which has been their fortunate char
acteristic for 80 many years." The report sum-
marizes the more important questions which
have occupied the attention Of the Department
during the current year. Under the head Of
spaip the Secretary speaks Of the Cuban stua-
ton as follows
The situation In the island of Cuba has largely
engrossed the attention OF the department OF
State during the last year It's enorts 10 OBTAIN
Trustworthy information and to insure due pro-
lection to citizens OF the United states ana ther
property and interests within the theatre OF dis
turbance have been ably seconded ny tne consu.
lar representatives in that island.
AS regards the character and scope or the nos.
tile operations which now affect the greater part
of Cuba the reports of our consuls are properly
confidential and while precise as to the several
districts touching which reports nave peen re-
ceived the nature and sources OF the information
obtained are such as TO make detaed puohcauon
impracticabe so that the Department Is not In
a position to do more at present tnan state Its
general deductions as to the position OF the con-
tending parties.
EXCEEDS THE STRUGGLE OF 1883.
Confined in the outset. as in the ten years In.
surrection which began at Yara in October.
1868 to the eastern portion of the island, where
the topography and absence OF settled centres
especially favored the desultory warfare appar.
emily normal to this class of contests. the pres
ent insurrecton very early took proportions be-
yond those OF It's predecessor. and therewith as
sumed an aggressive phase. invading the popu-
lous central and western districts fass'ng de.
fensve lines or trochas traversing 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 Clara Cicnfuegos and Matanzas. made
hostile forays almost in sight OF Havana itself.
and, advancing westward. effected a lodgment In
the fertile tobacco fields OF Pnar del Rio which
has far resisted all el1ortS or the spanish
forces to overcome
No prominent seaport has been attacked by
the insurgents or even menaced. beyond oc.
casional raids upon the outskirts. a large part
Of the 1900 miles of the irregular coast line OF
Cuba. comprising the comparatively unsettled
stretches Of its western extremity ana the IN
hospitable mountain shores Of Its eastern part,
is practically in the hands OF the revoiutionists.
The character of these shores filled to the vest
ward with shallow indentatons inaccessible 10
any but light vessels Of small tonnage. and TO
the eastward with rocky hooks dangerous to
approach by night and sffording insecure an.
chorage for larger craft iends tseI. pecu''asy arr.
the insurgents being relieved OF the need OF
maintaining and garrisonng points upon the
coast are effectively able tc utilize considera.
bic Lart OF it as occasion offers to communicate
with the outside world. and 10 receive cian'
destine supplies Of men. arms and ammun'tion'
A PARALLEL FROM GREAT BRITAIN.
The situation IN that quarter, as regards the
ease OF surrepttious access and the diffcuity
OF repressng Illicit traffic. finds a not unapt
parallel In that OF the Cornish and Welsh coasts
Of England the Scottish Highlands In the
last century where a few adventures were able
to smuggle supplies and land rebel em,ssaries
or forces. battling the watch OF maritime FORCES
much greater than those maintained by SPAN
along the diversified shores Of Cuba:
While thus in fact. controlling the greater
part OF the internal area OF the whole island OF
Cuba from Cape San Antonio to cape Maisl,
and enjoying practically unlimited use OF an
equally large part Of the coast the revolutionary
forces are scattered. being nowhere united TOT
any length Of time TO form an army capable OK
attack or siege and M TO taxe a,sn,y ,me ne,sn at
given point. often in single night. they MAKE
unexpected sallies or carry destruction TO tne
tobacco and cane fields OF Cuoa ana az ,hnv ,nv
first sign OF pursuit or organized assault tney
disperse only to reassemble in like manner AZ
some other spot .
only no effective local government ny the IN.
surgents in the territories they overrun. put
there is not even a tangible pretence IN estap-
lished administration anywhere. Thelr organlIa-
ton confined to the shifting exlgencies OF tno
military operations of the hour Is nomadic. WIN
out DEFINITE centres. and lacking the most eie-
mentary feature Of municipal government. inere
nowhere appears the nucleus Of statehood inc
machinery for exercising the legitimate rishts
and powers Of sovereignty and responding 10 the
obligations which de facto sovereignty ehtaiiS
foc of r. Gh
spicuousIy lacking 1t Is not possible TO discern
homogeneous political entity possessing ana ex.
ercsing ne functions OF n,ninins orderly
government in its own territory and sustaining
normal relations with the external family OF
Governments.
THE STOPPING OF INDUSTRY.
TO illustrate these conditions. the nsurgent
chiefs assert the military power to compel peace
able citizens OF the United States within their
reach to desist from planting or grinding cane
under the decreed penalty of death and OF oe-
struction of their crops and mills. but the meas
ure is one OF sheer force. without justincauon
under public law. The wrongs so committed
against the citizens OF a foreign State are with'
out an international forum ofredress to which 'ne
Government OF the United States may have re-
course as regards It's relation to the perpetrators
The acts are those OF anarchy. and in default OF
the RESPONSIBILITIES of de facto Statehood in tho
case there remains only the territorial accounts
bility of the ttular sovereign within the limits
OF it's competency 10 redress the wrongs co"''
planned Of.
In opposition to the nomadc control OF the in'
terror and the undefended coast by the insurs'
ents the Spanish authority continues IN the cap,.
tal cities and seaports. Its garrsons are there
esta blished from them Its naval operations arc
directed and executed. Most of Its functions pro-
ceed as in time OF peace Its customs ana mu
nicipai revenues are regularly collected. ana
with the exception of the temporary Restraints
alleged to be due to the admitted existence OF
state Of hostilities. foreign commerce WIN 'ho
island Is kent up although largely diminished py