Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-05-22
THE SECRET ARCHIVES
Of Cleveland's Administration on
the Cuban Question.
SECRETARY OLNEY's PROPOSAL.

CnlVeS OF the state department, which
have held the consular reports on the
Cuban war from the public, were par
TALLY disclosed yesterday by Senator
Foraker, of Ohio. During the past
week the debate in the senate has been
pregnant with limitations and inuen-
does of reports from United States Of
ficials in Cuba held at the state de-
partment, which, if published, would
disclose a condition on Cuban soil
which would influence public opinion in
a decided manner. The facts which
Senator Foraker announced created a
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 preferred 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 in substance as
follows, no date being given:
Il cannot understand the truth of the
claim that all the provinces of the
tiago de Cuba, because there are more
insurgents under arms at this time
than at the period 1 first reached the
island, some ten days ago, and I do
not think it a fair inference to draw
from existing conditions that the war
is approaching a termination.
"The impossibility of expelling the
Spanish troops from this island by
Of or ic I-x,o
surgents, and they do not propose to
risk the lives of their men and the
success of their cause upon one OF more
pitched battles. l conclude, therefore,
that the war will drag it's weary length
along so long as the insurgents can
dig Sustenance from the ground on the
one side or money be obtained on the
other The poverty and distress of the
people are daily increasing and the
loss of property of all sorts daily be-
coming enormous"
The letter from Secretary Olney to
Spanish Minister De LONE, under date
of April 4, 1896, is the one in which in
PREVENTION is suggested. 1t is in part
as follows:
1t is now some nine or ten months
since the nature and prospects of the
instruction were first discussed be-
tween us. In explanation of its rapid
and, up to that time, quite unopposed
growth and progress you called atten-
ton to the rainy season, which from
May or June until November renders
regular military operations impractical
Bile. 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 suppressed,
seemed reasonable and probable.
ut is impossible to deny that the ex-
pectations thus entertained by you
have been completely disappointed. The
insurgents seem today to command
larger part of the island than ever
before. Their men under arms, esti-
mated a year ago at from 10000 to
10000, are now conceded to be at least
two or three times as many. Mean
while their discipline has been i'm
proved and their supply of modern
weapons and equipment has been
greatly enlarged, while the mere fact
that they have held out to this time
has given them confidence in their own
eyes and prestige with the world at
large. In short, it can hardly be ques-
toned that the instruction, instead of
being quelled, is today more formida-
BILE than ever, and enters upon the
second year of it's existence with de-
cidedly improved prospects of success
full results.
Even If it be granted that a condi-
ton of insurgency prevails, and moth
ing more, 1t is on so large a scale and
diffused over so extensive a region
and is so favored by the physical feat
ures of the climate of the country that
the authority of Spain is subverted
and the functions of it's government
are in allegiance or practically suspend
ed throughout a greater part of the
island. A vast area of the territory of
the island is in effect under the con-
troll of rowing bands of insurgents. The
result is a systematic war upon the in
dustries of the island and whereas the
normal annual product Of the island is
valued at something like $50, 900 or
$500, 100000, it's value for the present
year is estimated by competent au-
thority at not exceeding 500, 000, 000''
Further on Mr. Olney calls attention
to the fact that capital is fast with
drawing from the island, frightened
away by the utter hopelessness of the
outlook" and continues: 1T may well
be feared that if the present insurrec-
ton is to be of shorter duration than
the last it will be because the end is
to come sooner or later through the in
ability of Spain to prolong the con-
fiict, and through her abandonment of
the island to the heterogeneous combi-
nation of elements now in arms against
her"
Such a conclusion, Mr.. Olney said,
would almost inevitably result in a
war of races, with the probable estab-
Ishment of white and black republic.
Proceeding, Mr.. Olney's communica-
ton declares that the situation is of
great interest to the people of the Uni
ted States, because of the interruption
of extensive trade relations, the whole
sale destruction of property, the ami
hilation of American investments and
the impoverishing of American citizens,
which, he says, has led many good
and honest persons to insist that in
PREVENTION to terminate the conflict is
the immediate and imperative duty of
the United States"
MFR. Olney then suggests that the
good offices of the United States be in
vited by Spain to secure the pacifica-
ton of the island on such plan as, leav-
ing Spain her sovereignty, shall Sc
cure reasonable self government for the
Cubans.