The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-20
THE LARGEST CIRCULATION OF ANY NORTH CAROLINA PAPER


results. Whether condition Of things
emitting the insurgents to recognition as
beligerents has yet been brought about
may, for the purposes Of the present COM
munications, be regarded as immaterial.
Other portions of this document were as
follows:
Even if it be granted that condition
Of insurgency prevails and nothing more,
it is on so large a scale and diffused over
so extensive a region and is so favored by
the physical features of the climate Of the
country that the authority Of Spain is sub
verted and the functions of it's govern
ment are in allegiance or practically sus-
pended throughout a greater part of the
island. Spain still holds the seaports and
most if not all TIE large towns in the in
terror. Nevertheless, "a vast area of the
territory of the island is in effect under
the control of moving bands of insurgents
which, if driven from place to-day by an
exhibition of superior force, abandon 1t
only to return tomorrow when that force
has moved on for their dislOdgement in
other quarters.
'Outside of the towns still under Span
ish rule, anarchy, lawlessness and ter
rorism are rampant. The result is a sys-
tematic war upon the industries of the is
land and upon all means by which they
are carried on, and whereas the normal
annual product of the island is valued
at something like so or 100 millions. Its
value for the present year is estimated by
competent authority, at not exceeding
$2O,OOO,OOO."
Further on Mr.. Olney calls attention
to the fact that capital is fast withdrawn
from the island, frightened away by the
utter hOpelessness of the outlook" why"
he continues SHOULD it not be? What can
a prudent man foresee as the outcome OF
existing conditions except the complete
devastation of the island, the entire an
nihilation Of it's industries and the abso-
lutte impoverishment of such of its inhab-
itahts as are unwise enough or unfortun-
ate enough not to seasOnably escape from
it.
1T may we'll be feared that if the pres
ent insurrection is ODE of shorter dura-
tion than the last it will be because the
end is to come sooner or later through the
inability of Spain to prolOng the conflict
and through abandonment Of the island to
the heterogeneous combination OF ele-
ments and Of races now in arms against
her"
Such conclusion, Mr.. Olney said,
would almost inevitably result in war Of
races. with the probable establishment
Of white and black republic"
"The situation thus described he
says. lis Of great interest to the people
Of the United States. They are interested
in any struggle anywhere for freer po-
litical institutions-b necessarily and
in special measure in struggle that is
raging almost in sight Of our shores.
They are interested. as a civilized and
Christian nation, in the speedy termina-
ton of a civil strife characterized by ex-
ceptiOnal excesseS on the part Of both
combatants. They are interested in the
nOn-interruption of extensive trade rela-
tiOns which have been and should con-
tinue to be of great advantage to both
countries. They are interested in the pre-
ventiOn of the wholesale destruction of
property on the island, which, making no
discrimination between enemies and neu-
trails ts utterly destroying American in
vestments that should be of immense val
ue and is utterly impOverishing great
numbers of American citizens. On all
these grounds and in all these ways the
| interest of the United States in the exist
ing situation in Cuba yields in extent only
| to that of Spain herself and has led
many good and honest persons to insist
| that intervention to terminate the conflict
is the immediate and imperative duty OF
the United States
He said his purpose was not at that
time to suggest Intervention, but that
| the United States could not contemplate
.1oo ,ot1
OF Cuban insurrection. His suggestion
looked to finding a way ito cooperate
with Spain in the immediate pacifcation
Of the island ON such plan as leaving
Spain her rights of sovereignty shall yet
secure to the people Of the island all
such rights and powers Of local self gov
ernment as they can reasonably ask. To
that end the United States offers and will
use Ter good offices at such times and in
such manner as may be deemed most ad-
visable'
Mr.. Olney then suggests that neither
Spain nor the Cubans can reasonably OBJ
ject to this intervention and adds that
if anything is to be done it shall be done
at once and on Spain's initiative. In clos
ing he says the communication is prompt
ed by the friendliest feelings toword
Spain and the Spanish people ,and adds:
ITO attribute to the United States any
hostile or hidden purposes would be q
grave and most lamentable error. The
United States has no design upon Cuba
and no design against the sovereignty Of
Spain"
Mr.. Foraker read only the following
extract from Mr.. De Lome's reply, which
was dated June 4, 1896:
I'm brief, there is no effectual way to
pacify Cuba, unless it begins with the
actual submission Of the armed rebels to
the mother country"
Other points from Mr. De Lone's let
ter are as follows:
Notwithstanding this, the government
of the United States could, by use of
proper means, contribute greatly - the
pacifcation Of the island Of Cuba.