Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-06

fesiohs or the country to be supplied with
currency TO meet their needs
Recommend that the issue of National
pahk notes be restricted to the deronina.
'ioh OF len dollars and upward. If the sur-
sesuons have herein made shall have the
approval of Congress, then | would recon,-
mend that National banks be REQUIRED IN
redeem their notes in gold.
THE CUBAN QUESTION.
Inc most important problem with which
Ills government Is how called upon to deal
pertaining to Its foreign relations concerns
as uu's toward Spain and the Cuban in
surrection. Problems and conditions mora
vi iess III common with those now existing
nave confronted this government at VA
rions times in the past. The story of Cuba
Tor many years has been one of unrest:
growing discomfort: an effort toward n
larger enjoyment Of liberty and sels-eon-
troll; Of organized resistance TO tho ,po,,or
country; OF depression after distress ana
warfare and of Intellectual settlement 70 ba
followed by renewed revolt For no endur-
ing period since the enfranchisement of tho
continental possessions of Spain in the
western continent has the condition of
Cuba or the policy OF Spain toward Cuba
not caused concern to the United States.
Inc prospect from time to time that the
weakness of SPANS hold upon the Island
ana the political vicissitudes and embar-
ressment OF the home government might
lead to the transfer OF Cuba to a continent
tal-power called forth. between 1923 and
1850. various emphatic declarations of the
policy of the United States to permit no
disturbance of Cuba's connection with
Spain unless in the direction of indenen.
cerce or acquisition by us through pur-
chase; nor has there been any change of
this declared policy since upon the part Of
the government.
The revolution which began in 1865 lasted
Tor ten years, despite the strenuous efforts
of the successive peninsular governments
to suppress 1t. Then as now the Govern
ment Of the United States testified its
grave concern and offered its aid to put an
end to bloodshed in Cuba. The overtures
made by General Grant were refused and
the war dragged en-, entailing great loss of
life and treasure and increased !-ia-y to
American interests besides throwing en-
HANGED burdens of neutrality upon this
Government. In 1878 peace was brought
about by the Truce of Zanjon, obtained by
negotiations between the Spanish Comman-
der, Martinez de Campos, and the insur-
gent leaders.
The present insurrection broke out in
this time to recall its remarkable increase
or TO characterize its tenacious resistance
against the enormous forces massed against
it by Spain. The revolt and the efforts to
subdue II carried destruction to every quar-
ter Of the Island, developing wide proper
lions and defying the efforts of Spain for
its suppression. The civilized code Of war
has been disregarded, no less SO by tho
Spaniards than by ehe Cubans.
The existing conditions cannot but an
this Government and the American people
with the gravest apprehension. There ID
no desire on the part of our people to profit
by the misfortunes of Spain. We have
only the desire to see the Cubans prosper
Gus and contented. enjoying that measure
of self-control which is the inalienable
right of man. protected in their right to
reap the benefit of the exhaustless treas
ures of their country.
The offer made by my predecessor in
April, 1885, rendering the friendly Offices
of this Government failed. Any mediation
on our part was not accepted. In brief. the
answer read: There is no efrectual way to
pacify Cuba unless IT begins with the act
ual submission of the rebels to the mother
country" Then OILY could Spain act In
the promised direction. Of her own motion
and after her own plans.
Cruel Policy Of Concentration.
The cruel policy Of Concentration was
February 49, 1896. The productive
districts controlled by the Spanish armies
we're depopuiatei. The agricultural In