The Topeka state journal., 1897-12-06
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Congress is Advised to Keep Hands
Of of Cuban Affairs.

deal, pertaining to its foreign relations,
concerns its duty toward Spain and the
Cuban iusurrection- Problems and con-
ditions more or less in common with
those now existing have confronted this
government a various times in the past.
The story of Cuba for many years has
been one of unrest, growing discontent,
an effort toward a larger enjoyment of
liberty and self control, of organized re-
sistance to the mother country, of de-
preston after distress and warfare and of
Intellectual settlement to be followed by
renewed revolution. For no enduring
period since the enfranchisement 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 in the United States.
The prospect from time to time that
the weakness of Spain's hold upon the
island and the political vicissitudes and
e1nbarrassments of the home government
might lead to the transfer of Cuba to
continental power called forth, between
1923 and 1860 various emphatic declara-
tions of the policy of the United States
TO permit no disturbance of Cuba's con-
nection with Spain unless in the direc-
ton of independence or acquisition by the
United States through purchase; nor has
there been any change of this declared
policy since upon the part of the govern
ment.
The revolution which began in 1853 last
ed ten years, despite the strenuous efforts
of the successive peninsular governments
to suppress it. Then, as now, the govern
rnent of the United States testified its
grave concern and offered its aid to put
an end to bloodshed in Cuba. The over
lures made by General Grant were refus-
ed and the war dragged on, ,entaihng great
loss of life and treasure and increased in
do
ing enhanced burdens of neutrality upon
this government. In 1873 peace was
brought about by the truce of Zanjon, OBJ
tanned by negotiations between the Span
ish commander. Martinez de Campos, and
the fnsurgent leaders.
The present insurrection broke out in
February, 1895. 1t is not my purpose at
this time to recall its remarkable increase
or to characterize its tenacious resistance
against the enormous forces massed
against it by Spain. The revolt and the
efforts to subdue it carried destruction to
every quarter of the island, developing
wide proportions and defying the efforts
Of Spain for its suppression. The civil
lied code OF war has been disregarded, no
less so by the Spaniards than by the Gu
bans.
The existing conditions can but fill
this government and the American peo-
is no desire OH the part of our people to
profit by the misfortunes of Spain. We
have only the desire to see the Cubans
prosperous and contented, enjoying that
measure of self-cOntrol which is the in
anenabIe right of man, protected in their
right to reap the benefit of the exhaust
less treasures OF their country.
The offer made by my predecessor in
April 1896, rendering the friendly OF
fees of this government, failed ANY
mediation on our part was not accept
ed. In brief, the answer read. Ihere
is no effectual way to pacify CUBA un-
less it begins with the actual submls-
sion of the rebels to the mother cOun-
rrv'' then only could Spain act in the
promised direction of her own motion
and after her own plans. The cruel
policy of concentration was initiated
February 16, 1896. The productive dis
tricts controlled by the Spanish armies
We're depOpulated and the agricultural
inhabitants were herded in and about
the garrison towns, their lands lalo
waste and their dwellings destroyed
This policy of the late cabinet OF SPAN
was justified as a necessary measure
of war and as a means OF cutting OIL
supplies from the Insurgents II mas
utterly failed as a war measure II
was not civilized warfare. 1t was eX-
Against this abuse of the rights of
war have felt constrained on repeat
ed occasions to enter the firm and
There was much of public cOndemna-
ton of the treatment of American c1t1-
zens by alleged illegal arrests and long
inDriSOnTnent awaiting trial or penang
rrOtracted judicial procedures. I felt it
my first duty to make instant demand
for the release or speedy trial of Amer
lean citizens under arrest. Before the
change of the Spanish cabinet IN &c
tober last, % prisoners, citizens OF the
United States, had been given their
freedom.
suffering because of the conflict, the
aid of congress was sought in a spec
iaI message, and under the apprOpr1a-
tion of April 4. 1897, effective aid has
been given to American citizens in Gu
ba many of them at their own request
being 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 government the sincere wish
of the United States to lend its aid to-
wards the ending of the war in Cuba
by reaching q peaceful and lasting re-
suit, lust and honorable alike to Spain
and the Cuban people. These instruc-
tions recited the character and dura-
tfon of the contest, the widespread loss
es it entails the burdens and restraints
it imposes upon US, with constant dis
turbance Of national interests and the
injury resulting from an indefinite con-
tinuance Of this state of things II
was stated that at this juncture our
government was constrained TO ser
1OuSly inquire II the time was not ripe
when Spain, of her own VO1tions moved
by her own interests and every senti-
ment of humanity, should put a stop to
this destructive war and make propos-
ais of settlement honorable to herself
and just to her Cuban colony. 1t was
urged that as a neighbOring nation,
with large interests in Cuba, we could
be required to wait only a reasonable
time for the mother country to estab-
lish it's authority and restore peace and
order within the borders of the island;
that we could not contemplate an in
definite period for the accomplishment
of this result
No solution was proposed to which
the slightest idea of humiliation of