The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1897-12-10
THE CUBAN QUESTION.
The Time Not Ripe for Intervention
ON Our Part.

The Time Not Ripe for Intervention
on Our Part.
The most important problem with which
this government is now called upon to deal
pertaining to it's foreign relations concerns
its duty toward Spain and the Cuban inSur-
rrection. Problems and conditions more or
less in common with those now existing
have confronted this government at vari-
Gus times in the past. The story of Cuba
growing discomfort; an effort toward
larger enjoyment of liberty and self-con-
troll; of organized resistance to the mother
country; OF depression after distress and
warfare and of Intellectual settlement to be
followed by renewed revolt. For no endur-
ing period since the acknowledgment of the
continental possessions of Spain in the
western continent has the condition of
Cuba or the policy of Spain toward Cuba
The prospect from time to time that The
weakness of SPANS hold upon the island
and the political vicissitudes and embar-
easements of the home government might
lead to the transfer OF Cuba to a continent
tai power called forth. between 1929 ard
1860, various emphatic declarations OF the
turbance of Cuba's connection with Spain
unless in the direction OF independence or.
acquisition by us through purehaasei nor nor
policy since upon the part of the govern
ment.
Not Civilized Warfare.
The cruel policy of concentration was
initiated February Is, 1896. The productive
districts controlled by the Spanish armies
were depopulated. The agricultural inhab-
itants were herded in and about the gar
rison towns, their lands laid waste and
their dwellings destroyed. This policy the
late cabinet of Spain justified as a neces-
Sary measure of war and means of cut
ting off SUPPLIES from the insurgents 1t has
utterly failed as a war measure. 1t was
not civilized warfare. IT was extermlna-
ton.
Against this abuse of the rights of war
have felt constrained on repeated occa-
| sionS to enter the firm and earnest pro-
| test of this government. There was much
| of public condemnation of the treatment of
| American citizens by alleged illegal arrests
| pending protracted judicial proceedings. l
| felt it my first duty to make instant de-
mand for the release or speedy trial OF al. an
| American citizens under arrest Before the
| change of the Spanish cabinet in October
| last % prisoners, citizens of the United
States had been given Their free9om FOR he
| cause of the conflict the aid OF congress was
sought in special message, and under
the appropriation of April 4. 1897. effective
| aid has been given to American citizens in
Cuba, many of them at their own request
having been returned to the United States.
The Present InsurrectiOn.
The present insurrection broke out In
| February, 1895. 1t is not my purpose at this
time to recall it's remarkable increase, or
to characterize its tenacious resistance
agganst it By spSn The TeSot ana
| efforts to subdue it carried destruction to
| every quarter Of the island, developing
wide proportions and defying the efforts
of Spain for its suppression. The civilized
| code of war has been disregarded, no less
| so by the Spaniards than by the Cubans;
| The existing conditions cannot but NIL
this government and the American people
| with the graVeSt apprehension. There IS
no desire on the part of our people TO
profit by the misfortuDes of Spain. We
| have only the desire to see the Cubans
prosperous and contented, enjoying that
| q right their
right to reap the benefit of the eXhaustless
treasures of their country.
April, 1896, rendering the friendly offices
| of this government failed. Any mediation
on our part was not accepted. In brief, the
| answer read: There is no effectual way
to pacify Cuba unless it begins with the
actual submission Of the rebels to the
act in the promised direction of her own
motion and after her own plans.
Minister WOOdfOrd's Instructions.
The Instructions given to our new min
lister to Spain before his departure for his
post directed him to impress upon that gov
eminent the sincere wish of the United
States to lend its aid toward the ending
full and lasting result, just and honorable
alike to Spain and to the cuban people.
Those instructions recited the character
and duration of the contest, the widespread
| losses it entails, the burdens and restraints
it imposes upon US, with constant dis
turbance of national interests and the in
uaIce oil this state of things. 1t was stated
that at this juncture our government was
constrained 10 seriously inquire if the time
was not ripe when Spain of her own Volt
ton, moved by her own interests and every
sentiment of humanity, should put stop
to this destructive war and make pro-
| posals of settlement honorable to herself
and just to her Cuban colony. 1t was urged
that as neighbOring nation, with large in
| tereStS in Cuba, we could be required tC
wait only a reasonable time for the mother
; country to establish its authority and re-
store order within the borders OF the island
that we could not contemplate an indefi
mite period for the accomplishing. Ul ,H..
result.
No humiliation Suggested.
No solution was proposed to which tn,
slightest idea of humiliation to SpaiI
could attach, and indeed precise proposal!
| were withheld to avoid embarrassment t
; that government, All that. was asked
{ or expected was that some safe way Nigh
be speedily provided and permanent peac,
restored. 1t so CHANGED that the consider
alton of this offer, addressed to the sam,
Spanish administration which had declined
; the tenders of my predecessor, and whic!
for more than two years had poured mel
and treasure into Cuba in the fruitless eff
5 fort to suppress the revolt fell to others.
!, Spain Promises Much.
/ The reply 10 our note was received on tn
2Sd day of October. 1t is in the direction o
2 a better understanding. 1t appreciates tn
, admits that our country is deeply affected
/ by the war in Cuba. and that its desires
=
present Spanish government is bound b,
5 every consideration to change Of polio
= that should satisfy the United States am
. pacify Cuba within Il reasonable time
= To this end Spain has uecIOeu 10 puI int
effect the political reforms heretofore adj
+ VOCated by the present premier Wlthou
: hating for any consideration in the pa n
! which in its judgment leads to peace Th,
military opeI atoms 1t Is SAID Will continu,
: but Will be humane and conducted with al
T regard for private rights, being accom-
[ panied by political action leading 10 In,
= autonomy Of Cuba while guarding SpanIsl
/ sovereignty. This, il is claimed will result
= IN investing Cuba with a distinct person
= ality; the island to be governed by an eX
ecuiiVe and by d local council or cnaInber
2 reserVing to Spain the control of the for
eign relations, the army and navy and m,
judicial administration. 10 accomDIisI
this the present government PROPOSES I,
: modify eXisIlng legislation by decree, lea v
ing the Spanish corteS, with the aid n
Cuban senators and deputies, to solve RI
4 economic problem ana properly uISIrihuf,
i the existing debt. In the absence of
5 declaration of the measure that this gov
1 eminent proposes to take i'll CARVING on
: its proffer OF good offices it suggests RI "a
4 Spain be left free to conduct militia p,
I operations and grant political reform;
| urhi q