Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-07

earnest protest or this government There
was much of public condemnation Of the
treatment of American citizens bv alleged
illegal arrests and long Imprisonment.
awaiting trial or pending protracted Judi
cial proceedings. I felt it nv first DUTY to
make demand for the release or speedy
trial OF all American citizens under ar
rest Before the change of the Spanish
cabinet in October last. q prisoners. ci,i.
zens of the United States. had been given
their freedom.
For the relief Of our own citizens suf-
fering because of the conflict. the aid Of
congress was sought in a special message.
and under the appropriation of April 4,
1897, effective aid has been given to Ameri-
can citizens In Cuba. many of them ut
their own request having been 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 sim
cere wish of the United States to lend
its aid toward the ending of the war in
Cuba by reaching a peaceful and lasting
result. just and honorable alike to Spain
and to the Cuban people. These instruc-
tons recited the character and duration
OF the contest, the widespread losses it en-
tails. the burdens and restraints it i'm
poses upon us. with constant dtsturban ce
o. national interests and the injury result
ing from an indefinite continuance of this
state of things. 1t was stated that at
this Juncture our government was con-
strained to seriously inquire If the time
was not ripe when Spain. of her own Volt
ton. moved by her own interests and ev-
cry sentiment of humanity, should put
stop to this destructive war and make pro-
posals of settlement honorable to herself
and just to her Cuban colony 1t was
urged that. as neighboring nation. with
large interests in Cuba, we could be re-
CURED to wait only a reasonable time for
the mother country to establish it's au-
thority and restore peace and order with
in the borders of the island: that we could
not contemplate an indefinite period for the
accomplishment of this result.
No solution was proposed to which the
slightest idea of humiliation to Spain
could attach: and indeed the precise pro-
posals were withheld to avoid embar"ass-
ment to that government. All that was
asked or expected was that some safe way
might be speedily provided and perman
ent 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 premier still held
Office and received from our envoy the
proposals he BORE the cabinet gave place
within few days thereafter to new ad-
ministration under the leadership of Sa-
gasta.
The reply to our note was received on
the 23d day of October. 1t is in the direc-
ton of a better understanding. 1t ap-
preciates the friendly purposes of this gov
eminent. 1t admits that our country is
deeply affected by the war in Cuba and
that its desires for peace are just. 1t de-
clares that the present Spanish govern
ment is bound by every consideration to a
change of policy that should satisfy the
United States and pacify Cuba within a
reasonable time. To this end Spain has
decided to put into effect the political re-
forms heretofore advocated by the pres
ent premier. without hating for any COM
sideration in the path which in it's judg-
ment leads to peace. The military opera
tions. It is said. will continue. but will be
AuAAdNC anu COLUuCtcu Will al TeSdTu
for private rights. being accompanied by
political action leading to the autonomy
of Cuba, while guarding Spanish sover-
eighty. This. it is claimed. will result in
investing Cuba with distinct PERSONAL
ity. the island to be governed by an execu-
tive and by local council or chamber. re-
serving to Spain the control of the for
cign relations. the army and navy ami the
judicial administration. To accomplish
this the nreSont -
modify existing legislation by decree. leav-
iEg the Spanish cortes with the aid of Gu
ban senators and deputies. to solve she
economic problem and properly distribute
the existing debt.
In the absence of declaration Of the
measures that this government proposes
to take in carrying out its proffer of good
Offices. it suggests that Spain be left free
to conduct military operations and grant
political reforms. while the United States,
for its part, shall enforce it's neutral OBJ
legations and cut off the assistance which
it is asserted the insurgents receive from
this country. The supposition of an in
definite prolongation of the war is denied.
1t is asserted that the western provinces
are already well nigh reclaimed; that the
planting of cane and tobacco therein has
been resumed and that by force of arms
and new and ample reforms very carly
and complete pacificatiOn Is hoped for.
The immediate amelioration of existing
conditions under the new administration
of Cuban affairs is predicted and there
withal the disturbance and all occa sion
for any change of attitude on the part of
the United States.
Discussion of the question Of the inter-
national duties and responsibilities of
the United States as Spain understands
them is accompanied with an apparent
disposition to charge us with failure in
this regard. This charge is without any
basis in fact. 1t could not have been
made if Spain had been cognizant of the
constant efforts this government has
made at the cost of millions and by the
employment of the administrative minis
try of the nation at command, to per-
form it's full duty according to the law of
nations. That it has successfully pre-
vented the departure of a single expedi-
ton of armed vessels from our shores
in violation of our laws would seem to
be sufficient answer. But Of this as
pect of the Spanish note 1t is not neces-
sary to speak further now. Firm in the
conviction of a wholly performed obliga-
tion due response to this charge has been
made in diplomatic course.
That by our code of morality would be
criminal aggression. Recognition of the
belligerency of the Cuban insurgents has
often been canvassed as possible. If not
inevitable step both In regard to the pre-
yious ten years struggle and during the
present war. / am not unmindful that