Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1897-05-22

6cme Of the Archives In tho State
Department Get Aired.
Mr.. OLNEY'S OFFER OF MEDIATION,
Spain's Rejection OF tho Preferred Aid
The State OF Affairs In Cuba-The
Senate Gives Another Day TO
Cuban Matters.

| SuDAn hnttcrss
WASHINGTON, May 20.-The secret
archives 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 prcg.
nant with intimations and innucndoes
Of reports from United States officials
In Cuba held ut the state department
which, II published, would disclose
a condition on Cuban soil which would
influence public opinion in o decided
manner. The facts, therefore, which
Senator Foraker announced without
stating from whom they came created
u 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.
Secretary Olney said his purpose was
not ut that time to suggest interven.
ton, but that the United States could
not contemplate with complacency an.
other ten years of Cuban instruction.
His suggestion looked to find a way
"to cooperate with Spain in the i'm.
mediate pacification of the island ON
such plan us, leaving Spain her
rights Of sovereignty, shall yet secure
to the people of the island all such
rights and powers of local sclf-govern.
ment as they can reasonably ask. To
that end the United States offers and
will use her good offices Mt such time
and in such manner as may be deemed
most advisable"
While one of the consular reports
was read without the name of the au.
thor being disclosed, 1t 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 IRE paciGed
except that OF Santiago de Cuba because there
are more insurgents under arms ut this time
than when first reached the islands same ten
months ago. and do not think Il u fair infer
cncc to draw from existing conditions that the
war Is approaching termination. because, In
pursuance OF an established policy. the insur-
gents avoid us far as possible all serious en-
gagomcnts
The impossibility OF expclling the Spanish
troops from this island by force OF arms IL well
known to them, and they do not propose to risk
the lives OF their men and the success OF their
enn nil t,al hal r
clude, therefore. that the war will draw its
weary length along as the insurgents can
dig subsistence from the ground on one
side or money to be obtained by the other,
with the continued result OF untold human
suffering. loss OF human life, the murder OF In
nocent men, women and children by both sides
and the frightful havoc which disease makes
In the ranks Of soldiers, particularly among the
Spaniards
The poverty and distress OF the people are
and the loss OF property Of all sorts
daily becoming more enormous No one can
fully appreciate the situation without being
here In person. The number OF poor. distressed.
starving women. children and old men OF all
races has greatly increased In this city within |
the past few weeks. while In other points on |
the island the suffering has been proportion |
ately great
THE sENATE's SESSION.
WASHINGTON, May 20.-Another stir
ring debate on Cuba occurred in the
senate yesterday. 1t was of the give
and take order, with sharp parlia-
fencing. The main speeches
Of the day were made by Senators
Foraker, of Ohio; Cannon, of Utah;
Lindsey, of Kentucky, and Hoar, of
Mr.. Foraker is one of
The Cuban subcommittee of the COM
nittee on foreign relations. lie spoke
IN favor of reference OF the resolution
10 the committee, but ON the direct
question, declared his purpose of sup
porting the resolution recognizing Gu
pan belligerency, when IL should be re-
ported by the committee. Mr.. Cannon
vas bitter in his denunciation of Span
sh atrocity, characterizing the cap
of Cuba rs THAT mad
log Weyler."
1t was developed in the course Of
,olloquy between Senators Foraker,
Morgan and Vest, that the state de-
,artment had withheld the names Of
he United States consuls reporting on
he serious condition of affairs in Cuba
because II might lead to their massacre.
dr. Vest declared that this presented
he most serious phase of the subject,
IS 1t was time to protect our officials
With warships II their personal lib
rty was threatened for making reports
o their government No action on
he resolution was taken, but Mr.. Nor
an said he hoped to secure vote to-
ay on Mr. Hale's motion to refer. He
esired to do this, he said, in order
hat the Cuban resolution might not
nfnnoniza the thrift hill nn Monday