The Saint Paul globe., 1897-05-20
Sensational Fact, Hereto
fore Suppressed, r1ade
Public at Last.

WASHINGTON, May 19.-The secret
archives Of the state department, which
have held the consular reports on the
Cuban war from the public, were par
TALLY disclosed today by Senator Fora
ker, of Ohio. During the past week the
debate in the senate has been pregnant
with intimations and innuendoes Of re-
ports from United States officials in
Cuba, held at the state department.
which, If published, would disclose a
condition on Cuban soil which would
influence public opinion in decided
manner. The facts, therefore, which
Senator Foraker announced, without
stating from whom they came, created
decided stir. Especially startling
was the letter from Secretary Olney,
in which this country offered mediation
to Spain and the refusal Of that coun-
try to accept the proffered aid.
While one Of the consular reports
was read without the name Of the au-
thor being disclosed, it is stated to be
communication from Consul General
Lee, which fully sets forth his idea Of
the condition that exists in Cuba. The
extract was quoted as follows, no
date being given:
cannot understand the truth of the claim
that all the provinces Of the island are
pacifed except that of Santiago de Cuba,
because there are more insurgents Under
arms at this time than at the period when
/ first reached the islands, some ten months
ago, and I do not think 1t a fair inference
to draw from existing conditions that the
war is approaching termination, because,
in pursuance of an established policy, the IN
surgents avoid as far as possible ali serious
engagements.
The impossibility of expelling the Spanish
troops from this island by force Of arms Is
well known to them and they do not propose
to risk the lives Of their men and the sue
cess of their cause upon more pitched
battles I conclude therefore that the war
will drag its weary length along, so long as
the insurgents dig sustenance from the
ground on the one side or money be obtained
by the other, with the continued result Of un-
told human suffering, loss Of human life,
the murder of innocent men, women and
children by both sides and the frightful havoc
which disease makes in the ranks OF soldiers,
particularly among the unaccl1mated Span
iards. The poverty and distress OF the peo-
pie are increasing, and the loss OF property
of all sorts daily becoming more enormous. No
one can fully appreciate the situation with
out being here in person. The number OF
poor, distressed, starving women, children
and men of all races have greatly increased
in this city within the past few weeks, while
in other points on the island the suffering
has been proportionately great.
OLNEY's LETTER.
The letter from Secretary O1ney to
Spanish Minister DeLome, under date
April 4, 1886, is the one in which inter-
vention is suggested. In opening, Mr..
Olney said:
1t might be we'll deemed dereliction of
duty to the government of the United States,
as we'll as a eensurable want OF candor to
Spain if I were longer to defer official ex-
preston, as well of the anxiety with which
the president regards the existing situation
in Cuba as of his earnest desire for the
prompt and permanent pacification OF the
island. Any plan giving reasonable assur-
ance Of that result and not inconsistent Win
the lust rights and reasonable demands OF
all concerned would be earnestly promoted by
him by all means which the constitution and
1t is now some nine or ten months since
the nature and prospects OF the insurrection
were first discussed between us. In explana-
ton of it's rapid and, up to that time, quite
unopposed growth and progress you called
attention to the rainy season, which from May
or June until November renders regular mill
tary operations mpraeticable Spain was
pouring such numbers of troops into Cuba
that your theory and opinion that, when they
could be used in an active campaign, the
insurrection would be almost instantly sup
pressed seemed reasonable and probable. In
this particular you believed and sincerely be-
lieved that the present insurrection would Of
fer most marked contrast to that which be-
gan in 1868, and which, being feebly encoun-
tered with comparatively small forces pro-
1onged its life for upwards Of ten years.
1t is impossible to deny that the eXpecta-
tions thus entertained by you, in the sum-
mer of 1895, and shared not merely by all
Spaniards, but by most disinterested observ-
ers as well, have been completely disappOint-
ed. The insurgents seem today to command
a larger part of the island than ever before.
Their men under arms. estimated a year ago
at from ten to twenty thousand, are now con-