The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-12-10

! that measure of self-control which is the IL,
alienab.e right of man, protected in their right
| to reap the benefit of the exhaustless treasures
| of their country.
The offer made by my predecessor in April,
| 1885, rendering the friendly offices of this gov
eminent failed Any mediation on our part
was not accepted. In brief the answer read:
There is no efectual way to pacify Cuba un-
! less 1t begin with the actual submission of the
| rebels to the mother" Then only could Spain
| act in the promised direction Of her own mo-
| tion and after her own plans The cruel policy
| Of concentration was initiated February IS,
! 1896 The productive districts controlled by
| the Spanish armies were depopuIatel and the
! agricultural inhabitants were herded in and
about the garriSoned towns. their land laid
waste and their dwellings destroyed, This policy
| of the late cabinet of Spain was justified as a
necessary measure of war and a means of
cutting of supplies from the insurgents. 1t
has utterly failed war measure 1t was
not civilized warfare. 1t was determination.
Release of American PRISONERS.
Against this abuse of the rights If war have
felt constrained on repeated occasions to enter
the firm and earnest protest Of this govern
ment There was much of public cOndemna-
ton of the treatment of American citizens by
alleged illegal arrests and long Imprisonment
awaiting trial or pending protracted judicial
procedure. ! felt it my first duty to make in
slant demand for the release or speedy trial of
all American citizens under arrest Before
the change of the Spanish cabinet in October
last. p prisoners. citizens of the United States
had been given their fire dom For the relief
of our own citizens suffering because of the
conflict, the aid of CONGRESSES was sought in a
special message. and under the appropriation
of April 4 1897, efie .tive aid has been given to
American citizens in Cuba Many of them, at
their own request have been returned to the
United States
Instructions to Our Minister.
The instructions given to our minister to
Spain before his departure for his post directed
him to impress upon that government the sin
cere wish of the United States to lend its aid
toward the ending of the war in Cuba by reach
ing peaceful and lasting result, just and hon
orable alike to Spain and to the Cuban people.
These instructions recited the character and
duration OF the contest the widespread losses
it entails, the burdens and restraints it imposes
upon us, with constant distur Dance of national
interests and the injury resulting from indefl-
mite continuance Of this state Of things 1t was
stated that at this juncture our government
was constrained to seriously 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 destructive war and make proposals
of settlement honorable to herself and just to
her Cuban colony II was urged that as a
neighboring nation, with large interests in
SonaDle time for the mother country TO estaollSn
its authority and restore peace and order
within the borders OF the island: that we could
not contemplate an indefinite period for the
accomplishment o. this result. No solution
was proposed to which the slightest idea Of
humiliation to Spain could attach. and indeed
precise proposals were wi hheld to avoid en-
barrassment to that government All that was
asked or expected was that some safe way
might be speedily provided and perma
peace restored
Reply to Our Note.
The reply our note was received on the
23d day of Oct Der. 1t is in the direction of
better und- rstalding. Itappreciates thefriend-
ly purposes of this government 1t admits
that our country is deeply affected by the war
in Cuba and that its desires for peace are just
1t declares that the present Spanish govern
ment is bound by every consideration to a
change OF policy that should satisfy the United
States and paeify Cuba within a reasonable |
time. To this end Spain has de iiedto putinto |
effect the political reforms heretnfOEe advocat-
ed by the present premier, without hating for |
any consideration in the path which in its judg-
ment leads to peace. The military operations. |
it is said viii continue. but win be humane and
conducted with all regards for private rights, |
being accompanied by political action leading /
to the autonomy Of Cuba while guarding Span |