The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-08
CIBYBIsAND'S FINAL MESSAGE
TO THE ASSEMBLED CONGRESS.


exists on the island, except SO far as Spain
is able to maintain it, has been practically
abandoned Spain does keep on foot. such
a government, more or less fmperfectly, In
the large towns and their immediate suburbs,
but that exception 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 commander-in- chief of the insurgent
army the putatjve Cuban government has
now given up all attempt to exercise its func-
tlons, leaving the government confessedly
what there is the best reason for supposing
IL always to have been in fact) government
merely on paper. Were the Spanish armies able
to meet their antagonists in the open or in
might be looked for, and the immense SUI
periority of the Spanish forces in numbers,
discipline and equipment could hardly fail to
tell greatly to their advantage.
But they are called upon to face foe that
snuns general engagements that choose
ana does choose its own ground, that from
the nature of the country is visible or in
visible at pleasure, and that fights only from
ambuscade and when all the advantages Of
position and numbers are on its side. In
q country where all that Is indispensable to
life in the way of food, clothing and shelter
is so easily obtainable, especially by those
porn and bred on the soil, it is obvious that
there Is hardly q limit to the time during
which hostilities of this sort may be pro-
longed. Meanwhile as in all cases Of protract-
ed CIVIL strife, the passions Of the acombatants
grow more and more indamed and excesses
on poth sides become more frequent and more
deplorable.
BANDS OF MARAUDERs.
These are also participated in by bands of
marauders now in the name of one party,
and now in the name of the other, as may
best suit the occasion, harry the country at
VIII, and plunder its wretched inhabitants for
things would inevitably entail immense de-
struction of property, even If it were the
pollcy OF both parties to prevent it as far
practicable. But while such seemed to be the
original policy Of Spanish government it has
now apparently abandoned it. and is acting
upon the same theory as the insurgents,
namely, that the eXigencies of the contest re-
quire the wholesale humiliation of property
that 1t may not prove of use and advantage
to the enemy.
1t is to the same end that in pursuance of
general orders, Spanish squadrons 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 condi-
tlons, 1t VIII soon disappear altogether. That
value consists very largely. of course, in its
capacity to produce sugar, a capacity al
ready much reduced by the interruptions to
the 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 produc-
ing territory 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
to even make the attempt.
The spectacle of utter ruin of an adjoining
country, by nature one of the most fertile
and charming on the globe would engage
the serious attention of the government and
the people of the United States in any cir
cumstances. In point of fact, they have
wholly sentimental or phlanthropic character.
1t lies go near to us as to be hardly separated
from our territory.
Our actual pecunary interest in it is second
Of Of tho ~
Spain. 1t is reasonably estimated that at
least from $50 600 900 to $50 000 900 of American
capital are invested in plantations, and in
railroad, mining and other business enter
prises in the island. The value of trade be-
tween the United States and Cuba. which in
1889 amounted to about s64. .000. .000 rose in
before the present insurrection broke out,
amounted to nearly ss6, 900 600. Besides this
large pecuniary stake in the fortunes of Cuba,
the United States finds itself inextricably in
volved in the present contest in other ways,
both vexatious and costly.
SENTIMENT IN AMERICA.
Many CubAns reside in this country and
indirectly promote the insurrection through
out the press by public meetings, by the pur-
chase and shipment of arms, by the raising
of funds and by other means, which the spir-
it Of our institutions and the tenor of our
laws do not permit to be made the subject of
criminal prosecution. some Of them. though
Cubans at heart, and in all their feelings and
interests, have taken out papers as natural
d
ing resorted to with view to possible pro-
lection by this government, and not unnatur-
ally regarded with much indignation by the
country of their origin.
The insurgents are undoubtedly encouraged
and supported by the widespread sympathy of
the people of this country who always and in
stinctively feel for every struggle for better
and freer government, and which in the case
of the more adventurous and restless elements
Of population leads in only too many in
stances to active participation in the
rpaIllt
is constantly called upon to protect American
citizens who claim damages for injuries to
persons and property, now estimated at many
| millions of dollars, and to ask explanations
and apologies for the acts of Spanish officials,
whose zeal for the repression of rebellion
sometimes blinds them to the immunities be-
longing to the unoffending citizens of
friendly power. 1t follows from the same
causes that the United States is compelled
against unlawful expeditions, the escape of
which the utmost vigilance will not always
suffice to prevent. These inevitable entangle-
ments of the U. S., with the rebellion in Cuba
the large American property interests affected
and considerations of phianthrophy and
! humanity in general, have led to a vehement
demand in various quarters for sort of
positive intervention on the part of the United
States
1t was at first proposed that bellgerent
rights should be accorded to the insurgents
a proposition no longer urged because un-
timely in practical operation clearly
perilous and injurious to our own interests
tended that the independence of the insurg-
ents should be recognized. But imperfect and
restricted the Spanish government of the
island may be, no other exists there-unless
the will of the military officer in temporary
command of particular district can be dig
nifed as species Of government. 1t is now
also suggested that the United States should
buy the island-a suggestion possibly worthy
of consideration if there were any evidence
of desire or willingness on the part of Spain
to entertain such a proposal 1t Is urged
finally that, all other methods failing, the
existing internecine strife In Cuba should
be terminated by Intervention, even at the
cost of awar between the United States and
Spain--a war which its advocates confidently
prophesy could be neither large in its pro-
portions nor doubtful in Its issue.
The correctness of this forecast need be
neither affirmed nor denied. The United
States has nevertheless character to main
tain as a nation, which plainly dictates that
right and not might should be the rules of
A PACIFIC POWER.
Further. though the United States is not
nation to which peace is a necessity, it is
in truth the most pacific of powers, and de-
sires nothing so much as to live in amity
with all the world. It's own ample and diver
sif1ed domains satisfy all possible longings
| for territory, preclude all dreams of conquest
| and prevent any casting of covetous eyes
| upon neighboring regions, however attractive.
| That our conduct towards Spain and her
! dominions has constituted exception to this
national disposition is made manifest by the
| course of our government, not only thus far
during the present insurrection, but during
the ten years that followed the rising at
| Yara In 1868.
No other great power, it may safely be
| said, under circumstances Of similar perplex-
ity would have manifested the same re-
| straint and the same patient endurance, 1t
may also be said that this persistent attitude
| of the United States towards Spain in con-
| nection with Cuba, unquestionably evinces
| no slight respect and regard for Spain on the
| part of the American people. They in truth
do not forget her connection with the dis
4 A. 4,