The evening times., 1897-12-06

concerns its duty toward Spain AMI the
Cuban insurrection. Problems and condi-
tions more or less I'm common with those
now existing have confronted this Govern
ment Ut vafNus times In the past. The
story Of Cut,a for many years has been one
OF unrest: gro wing discomfort; m effort
toward a larger enjoyment OF liberty and
self-cOntrOl; of organized resistance to the
mother country; Of depression after dis
tress and warfare and of Intellectual ret
tIcment 10 he followed by renewed revolt
For no enduring period since the enfran-
ci.isement of the 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.
The prospect from time to time that The
weakness OF spain's hold upon, the Islant
and the political vicissitudes and embar
easements OF the home Government might
lead to the transfer of Cuba to a contin .ntal
power called forth, between S23 End 1 $50
various emphatic declarations of the policy
OF the United States to permit no disturb
ancc of Cuba IS connection with Spain un
less I'm the direction of independence OF
acquisition by us through purchase; mol
HAS tHeTe tccIi CHduSG III
policy since upon the part OF the Govern
ment.
The revolution whichbegan In Sc 3 lasted
for ten years despite the strenuous efforts
Of the successive peninsular governments
tn suppress 1t. Then asnow the Government
OF the United States testified its grave con-
cerp aud offered its aid to put an end TO
bloodshed In Cuba. The Overtures made by
Gen. Grant were refused aud the wal
dragged On, entaiiing great loss Of fife
and treasure and Increased injury to
American interests besides throwing en-
hauced burdens of neutrality rpon this
Government. In 1873 peace was brought
about by the Truce OF ZanjOn, obtained by
negotiations between the Spanish Com
maBder, Martinez de Campos, and the In
sureent leaders.
The present insurrect ion broke cut In
February, 1898. 1t is not my purpose at
this time to recall IFS remarka bic increa Sc
or to charact eriZe its tenacious resistance
= against the enormous forces massed against
it by Spain. The revolt and the efforts to
subdue it carried destruction to every quar-
ter of the island, dey yeloping wide proper.
tions and defving the efforts OF Spain for
its suppression. TIE ii, ilize,l ode Of war
has been disregarded, no less SO by the
Spaniards than by the Cubans.
The existing conditions cannot but fill
this Government aud the American people
with the gravest apprehension. There is
no desire on the pa rt of our people TO Profit
by the nisfortunes of Spain. We have
only the de Sire to see the Cubans prosperous
and conterted, enjoying that measure OF
self-control which is tie inaliena BILE right
OF man, prot. ed ia their right to reap the
benefit of the eXha austless treasures 5f
their country.
The offer made by my predecessor in
April, 1886. rendering the friendly offices
of this Government failed. Any media ton
on our part was not accepted. In brief the
answer read. There is no cffectual way
TO pacify Cuba unless it begins with the
actual submission OF the rebels to the
mother county," Then only could Span
act in the promised direction, of her own
motion and after her own plans.
The crrel policy of concentration vas
initiated February 16, 1896. The pro-
ductive districts controlled by the Spanish
armies were depopuiated. The agric IL
tural inha bitan nts We're herded in and about
the garrison towns, their lands la Ill waste
and their dwellings DESTROYED. This policy
the late Cabinet Of Spain justified as 4
necessary measure of war and as means
of cutting off supplies from the insurgents
1t has utterly failed as war mea sure.
1t was not civilized warfare. 1t was
determination.
The Protest of America
Against this abuse OF the rights of war
l have felt constrained on repeated pcca-
sions to enter the firm and earnest prJ-
test of this Government. There was much
Of public Conde mnation of the treatment OF
american citizens by alleged Illegal ar
rests and long imprisonment awaiting rial
or pending protracted judicial proceedings.
/ felt it my first duty to make instant de-
mand for the release OF speedy trial of all
American citizens under arrest. Before the
change of the Spanish Cabinet i'm October
last twenty-five prisoners, citizens of the
United States, had been given their free
dom.
For the relief Of our own citizens sur 'er-
ing because of the conflic the aid OF Con-
gress was sought in ii special message,
and un.ler the appropriation of April 4,
1897, effective aid has been given to
A merican citizens III Cuba, many of then
at their own request having been returned
to the United States.
The instructions given to our new Minister
to Spain before his departure for his post
directed him to impress upon that Govern
ment the sincere wish of the United States
to lend its aid toward the ending of the
war in Cuba by reaching peaceful onS
LASTING result, Just and honorable alike to
Spain AMI to the Cuban people. These in
t,.1 ,v,1 a,
ton of the contest. tie widespread losses
it entails, the burdens and restraints 1t
imposes upon us, with constant disturb
ance of National interests, and the injury
resulting from an indefinite continuance
of this state of things. 1t was stated
that DIT this inncture our Government was
constrained to seriously inquire If th-
time was not ripe when Spain of her Cwil
volition. moved by her own interests AMI
every sentiment of humanity, should out
stop To this destructive war and make
proposals of settlement honorable to her
self and just to her Cuban colony. 1t was
urged that as neishburing nation, with
Large interests in Cuba, We could be re
quired to wait only q rcasOna BILE time for
the mother country to establish its au
thoIity and restore peace and order within
the borders of the Island; that we coulu
not contemplate an indefinite period inr
the accomplishment of this result.
A Better Understanding
No solution was proposed to which the
slightest idea of humiliation to Spain could
attach. and indeed precise proposals we're
withheld 10 avoid embarrassment to that
Government. All that was asked or ex-
pected was that some safe way might be
speedily provided and permanent peace re-
stored. II 50 Glanced that the cOnsidera
ton Of this offer, addressed! to the Same
Spanish Administration which had declined
the tenders of my predecessor and which