The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-12-10

cnCo VI dCqulSlUlou ny Uno OnlCeu SUdUes
through purchase; nor has there been
any change Of this declared policy since
upon the part of the government.
The Ten Years War.
The revolution, which began in 1868,
lasted for ten years, despite the siren
uous efforts of the successive peninsular
governments to suppress it. Then, as
now, the government of the United States
testified it's great concern and offered it's
aid to put an end to bloodshed in Cuba.
The overtures made by General Grant
were refused, and the war dragged on,
entailing great loss of life and treasure
and Increased injury to American inter
ests, besides throwing enhanced burdens
OF neutrality on the government. In 1878
peace was brought about by the truce of
Zanjon, obtained by negotiations be-
tween the Spanish commander, Martinez
de Campos, and the insurgent leaders.
The Present Insurrection.
The present instruction broke out in
February, 1895. 1t is not my purpose at
this time to recall it's remarkable increase
or to characterize it's tenacious resistance
to the enormous foreign army enmassed
against it by Spain. The revolt and the
OIlOl 10 w ouDouO ~ CdIIlOu uOoUl w
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 fill
this government and the American people
with gravest apprehension. There is no
desire on the part of our people to profit
hx,+ Lo cfo Of q hau Wa
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 benefits of the exhaustless treas
ures of their country.
The offer made by my predecessor in
April, 1896, rendering the friendly offices
of this government failed. Any mediation
on our part was not accepted. In brief,
the answer was: "There is no effectual
way to pacify Cuba unless it begins with
the actual submission of the rebels to the
mother country"
Then only could Spain act in the prom
her own, plan.
The Cruel Policy of Concentration.
The cruel policy of concentration was
initiated Feb 49, 1895. The distsicts con-
trolled by the Spanish armies were de-
populated. The agricultural inhabitants
were herded in and about the garrison
towns, their lands laid waste and their
dwellings destroyed This policy the late
cabinet of Spain justified as a necessary
measure of war and as means of cutting
off supplies from the insurgents. 1t has
utterly failed as a war measure. 1t was
not civilized warfare 1t was eXtermina-
ton.
Has Repeatedly Protested.
Against this abuse of rights of war I
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 and long imprisonment awaiting
trial or pending protracted judicial pro-
ceedings 1 felt it my first duty to make
instand demand for the release or speedy
trial of all American citizens under ar
rest. Before the change of the Spanish
cabinet in October last, % prisoners,
citizens of the United States, had been
given their freedom. For the relief of our
own citizens, suffering because of the con-
fict, the aid of congress was sought in
special message: and under the appropria-
ton 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
Minister Woodford's Instructions.
The instructions given to our new min
lister to Spain before his departure for his
post directed him to impress it upon that
r oc oh Df
ed States to lend it's aid toward the end
ing of the war in Cuba by reaching a
peaceful and lasting result, just and hon.
orabIe alike to Spain and the Cuban peo-
pie These instructions recited the char
acter and duration of the contest, the
widespread losses it entails, the burdens
and restraints it imposes upon us, with
constant disturbance of national interests
and the injury resulting from an indefinite
continuance of this state of things. 1t
was stated that at this juncture our
government was constrained to strenu-
ously inquire if the time was not ripe
when Spain, of her own volition, moved
by her own interests and every sentiment
of humanity, should put stop to this de-
structive war and make proposals of set
Element honorable to herself and just to
neighboring nation with large interests
in Cuba could be required to wait only a
reasonable time for the mother country to
establish it's authority and restore order
within the borders of the island; that we
could not contemplate as indefinite period
for the accomplishment of this result.
No Humiliation in the Proposal
No solution was proposed to which the
slightest idea of humiliation to Spain
could attach and, indeed, precise pro-
posals were withheld to avoid embarrass-
ment to that government. All that was
asked or expected was that some safe way
might be speedily provided and perma-
nent peace restored. 1t so CHANGED that
the consideration of this offer addressed
to the same Spanish administration which
had declined the tenders of my predecessor
and which for more than two years had
poured men and treasure into Cuba in
the fruitless effort to suppress the
revolt, fell to others. Between
the departure of General Woodford, the
new envoy, and his arrival in Spain, the
statesman who had shaped the policy of
his country fell by the hand of an assassin,
and although the cabinet of the late prem
Ter still held office and received from our
envoy the proposals he bore, that cabinet
gave place within few days thereafter to
a new administration under the leadership
of Sapasta