Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-10

corrective treatment will remain unan-
swered.
Cuban instruction.
The instruction in Cuba still continues
with all its perplexities. 1t is difficult to
perceive that any progress has thus far
been made towards the pacifeation 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 seaports and all the con-
siderable towns, the insurgents still roam
at viii over at least two-thirds of the in
land country. IF the determination OF
Snain to nut down the insurrecion seems
but to strengthen with the lapse of time
and is evinced by her unhesitating devotion
of largely increased military a~d naval
forces to the task, there is much reason to
believe that the Insurgents have gained
In point OF numbers and character and re-
sources. and are none the less inflexibie in
their resolve not to succumh without prac-
tically securing the great objects for which
they took up arms.
Not Yet Entitled to Recognition.
If Spain has not yet established her
authority, neither have the insurgents yet
made good their title TO be regarded as an
Independent state. Indeed, as the con-
test has gone on, the pretense that civil
government exists on the island except so
far as Spain is able to maintain it, has
been practically abandoned. Spain does
keep on foot such government, more or
less imperfectly, 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 subject TO the
military occupation of one or the other
party. 1t is reported indeed on reliable
authority that, at the demand of the COM
nander in chief of the insurgent army,
the putative Cuban government has now
given up all attempt to exercise its func-
tions, leaving that government confessed
ly (what there is the best reason for sup
posing it always to have been in facD
government merely on paper.
Why Spain Does Not Win.
Were the Spanish armies able to meet
their ANTAGONISTS in the omen in uitrhp6
battle. prompt and decisive results might
be looked for, and the immense superiority
oipline, and equipment, could hardly fail
to tell greatly to their advantage But
they are called upon to face a foe that
shuns general engagements, that can
choose and does choose it's own ground.
that from the nature of the country, IS
visible or invisible at pleasure and that
fights only from ambuscade and when ali
the advantages of position and numbers
are on its side. In a country where all that
clothing and shelter is so easily obtainable
especially by those born and bred on the
soil, it is. obvious that there is hardly
limit to the time during which hostilities
OF this sort may be prolonged.
Situation Deplorablc.
Meanwhile, as in all cases of protracted
civil strife, the passions of the combatants
grow more and more inf1amed and excuses
on both sides become more frequent and
more deplorable. They are also partici-
pated in by bands of marauders, who, now
name of the other, as may best suit the
occasion, harry the country at will and
plumber its wretched inhabitants for their
own advantage. Such a condition of things
would inevitably entail immense destruction
of property. even If 1t We're the policy
of both parties to prevent it as far as prac-
ticable. But while such seemed to be the
original policy of the Spanish government,
it has now apparently abandoned ii and is
acting upon the same theory as the in
surgents. namely, that the exigencies of
the contest require the wholesale annihila-
ton of property that it may not prove of
use and advantage 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 concentrate itself
in the towns.
The sure result would seem to be that
the industrial value of the island is fast
diminishing, and that unless there is
speedy and radical change in existing con-
ditions, 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 in
terruptions to tillage, which have taken
place during the last two years. 1t is re-
liably asserted that should these Interrupt
lions continue during the current year
and practically extend. as is now threat
ened, to the entire producing ter
ritory of the island so much time and so
much money will be required TO restore
the land to it's normal productiveness that
it is extremely doubtful if capital can be
induced to even make the attempt
Would Engage Our Serious Attention.
The spectacle Of utter ruin of an adjoin-
ing country, by nature one of the most
fertile and charming on the globe, would
engage the serious attention of the gov
eminent and the people of the United
States in any circumstance. In point Of
fact, they have concern with II which is
by no means of wholly sentimental
or philanthropic character. 1t lies so near
to Us as to be hardly separated from our
territory Our actual pecuniary interest in
it is second only to shat of the people and
government of Spain. 1t IS easonably es-
* tod 4ENDN Ia nfAn M
$50,000,000 of American capital are 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 SG4 000,000, rose in 1893
to about $103, 100000, and in 1894, the
broke out, amounted to nearly S96,000000.
Vexatious Entanslements.
Besides this large pecuniary stake in
the fortunes of Cuba the United States
hhds itself ine&tricabiy involved in the
present contest in other ways both vex-
atious and costly. Many Cubans reside in
this country and Indirectly 'omote the
insurrection 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 tenor of our laws d. not permit
to be made the subject Of criminal prcsecu-
tions, Some Of them, though Cnbans al
heart and in all their feelings and interests,
have taken out papers as naturalized citi-
zcns Of the United States, a proceeding re-
sorted to with a view TO possible protec-
ton by this government, ana not unnat-
urally regarded with much Indignation by
the county of their origin. he insur-
gents are undoubtedly encouraged and sup
ported by the widespread sympathy the peo-
PIE of this country always and instinctively
feel for every struggle for better and freer
government, and which in the case OF the
more adventurous and restless elements
Of our population leads in only too many
instances 10 active and personal participa-
ton in the contest.
The result is that this government is
constantly called upon to protect Ameri-
can citizens to claim damages for injuries
to persons and property, now estimated at
many millions of dollars, and TO ask ex-
plantations and apologies for the acts Of
Spanish officials whose zeal for the reprcs-
sion Of rebellion sometimes blinds them 20
the immunit ) belonging te the OFFENDING
citizens Of friendly power. II follows
from the sane causes that the united
states IS compelled to actively poilee q
long line of sea coast against unta"itI 81
Vigilance win rot always suiiice 70 pre-
vent.