Mexico weekly ledger., 1897-12-09


ary, 1875 1t is not my purpose at this time TO
recall its reInarkoble increase or to character
ize its tenacious resistance against the enor-
nous forces massed against IT by Spain. The
revolt and the efforts to subdue 1t carried de-
struction to every part of the island, develop
ing wide proportions and defying the efforts OF
Spain for its suppression The civilized code
OF war has been disregarded, no less so by the
Spaniards than by the Cubans-
Existing Conditions Are Grave.
The existing conditions can not but fill this
government and the American people with the
gravest apprehension There is no desire on the
part of our people to profit 5y the misfortunes
OF Spain. We have only the desire to see the
Cubans prosperous and contented, enjoying that
measure OF self-controi which is the inalien-
able right Of man, protected in their right TO
reap the benefit OF the exhaustless measures Of
their country.
Tender of Friendly OHices Failed.
The offer made by my predecessor in April,
1896 rendering the friendly otfices of this gov
ernment, failed ANY mediation on our part
was not accepted In brief, the answer read:
There is no effectual way to pacify Cuba unless
it begins with the actual submission OF the
rebels to the mother country Then only could
Spain act in the promised direction of her own
motion and after her own plans"
The Cruel Policy of Concentration.
The cruel policy of concentration was mi
tricts controlled by the Spanish armies were
depopulated. The agricultural inhabitants were
lands laid waste and their dwellings destroyed.
This policy OF the late cabinet Of Spain tusti-
fed il as necessary measure OF war and as a
means OF cutting on supplies from the insur-
gents. 1t has utterly failed as q war measure.
It was not civilized warfare. 1t was extermina-
tion.
Firm and Earnest Protest OF this Govern
ment.
Against this abuse OF the rights of war have
felt constrained on repeated occasions to enter
the firm and earnest protest Of this government.
There was much of public condemnation Of the
treatment OF American citizsns by alleged ule-
gal arrests and long Imprisonment awaiting
fst 1f Il tr % a ssman
for the release or speedy trial OF all American
citizens under arrest Before the change OF the
Spanish cabinet, In October last, q prisoners
citizens of the United States had been given
their freedom
Aid to American Citizens In Cuba.
because OF the conflict, the aid Of congress was
sought in a special message and under the ap-
preparation Of April 4, 1897, effective aid has
been given to American citizens in Cuba, many
turned to the United States
Instructions to Our Minister In Spain.
The Instructions given to our minister to
Spain before his departure for his post. direct
ed him to impress upon that government the
| sincere wish Of the United States to lend its
| aid toward the ending of the war In
| ing result. just and honorable alike to
Spain and to the Cuban people: These
of the contest, the widespread losses 1t entails
| the burdens and restraints it imposes upon US
| with constant disturbance OF national interests
and the injury resulting from an indefinite con.
| tinuance Of this state of things
A Serious Consideration.
| It was stated that at this juncture our gov.
| time was not ripe when Spain, Of her own yoli-
| tion, moved by her own interests and everJ
| sentiment Of humanity, should put a stop tt
| settlement, honorable to herself and just Il
| her Cuban colony It was urged that as
| neighboring nation. with large interests in Gu
/ -aI tfNtx
\ able time for the mother country to establish
| its authority and restore peace and order within
| the borders of the island; that we could no
| contemplate an indefinite period for the accom-
1 pliShment Of this result.
| No Attempt to Embarrass Spain.
No solution was proposed to which the slight
| est idea OF humiliation to Spain could attach
| and, indeed, precise proposals were withheld t,
| avoid embarrassment to that government. AL
| that was asked or expected was that some saf'
| way might be speedily provided and permanen
1t so CHANGED that the consideration of thi
| offer, addressed to the same Spanish admins
predecessor and which for more than two year
| had poured men and treasure into Cuba in tn
| fruitless effort to suppress the revolt. fell
| others.
| Government in New Hands.
| Between the departure Of Gen. Woodford, tn
| new envoy, and his arrival in Spain, the states
| fell by the hand OF an assassin, and, althoug
| the cabinet Of the premier still held ONCE an
| received from our envoy the proposals he bore
| that cabinet gave place, within few day
| thereafter, to a new administration, under tn
| leadership OF Sagasts.
The New Leaders Reply.
| The reply to our note was received on tn
| twenty-third day of October tits in the direc
| ton OF q better understanding. It appreciate
the friendly purposes OF this goyernment I
4 the war in Cuba and that les desires for peac
! are just. 1t declares that the present Spanisl
| government IS bound BY every consideration {
change OF policy that should satisfy tn
able time To this end spain has decide
| to put into effect the political reforms hereto
| fore advocated by the present premier withou
| halting for any consideration in the path whicl
| in its judgment leads to peace.
srnDent
The military operations, it is said, will con
tinue, but will be humane and conducted witt
| all regard for private rtshts being accompanies
cgbs q Soi While guar guarding Spanish al S soxsreisnsy :
This ii IS claimed, will result In investing Cub
| with a distinct personality; the island to b
| or chamber. preserving to Spain the control o
| the foreign relations, the army and navy and tn
judicial administration. 10 accomplish this IN
Ing legislation by decree. leaving the Spanish
cortes, with the aid OF Cuban senators and dep
uties. to solve the economic problem anT
| properly distribute the existing debt.
The Spanish Proposals.
In the absence OF q declaration of the meas
ures that the government proposes TO take II
gests that Spain be left free to conduct militar.
operations and grant political reforms while th'
United States, for uits part, shall enfore,
the insurgents receive from this country
longation Of the war is denied. It Is asserte,
| that the western provinces are already we'll
| nigh reclaimed: that the planting Of cane ant
| tobacco therein has been resumed. and that b.
reforms
early and complete pactfcatton is hoped for.
AmelioratIon of Existing Conditions.
The immediate amelioration OF existing con
ditions under the new administration Of Cubsl
| affairs Is predicted, and therewithal the dis
turbance and all occasion for any change Of at
titude on the part OF the United States. Dis
cussion Of the question OF the internationa
| duties and responsibilities OF the Unitet
States, as Spain understands them. is prevent
| with failure in this regard. This charg
| is without any basis in fact. 1t could not hav
been made II Spain had been made cosnizan
| made, at the cost OF millions and by the EN-
ployment of the administrative machinery 0
| the nation at command to perform its full dut,
| according to the law Of nations.
Our Duty Wholly Performed.
That it has successfully prevented the de
parture of single military expedition or armet
| vessel from our shores In violation Of our law
| would seem to be q sufficient answer. But o
| this aspect of the Spanish note IL is not neces
sary to speak further now. Firm In the con
| response to this charge has been made in diplo
| matte course.
Throughout all these horrors and dangers t,
| our own peace this government has never Il
| any way abrogated its sovereign prerogative o
reserving to itself the determination OF its pol
icy and course according to Its own high sens
| of right. and in consonance with the dearest in
terest ana convictions OF our own people shoul
| the prolongation Of the strife 30 demand.
Untried Measures Remaining.
Ofthe untrfed measures there remain only
| Recognition of the insurgents as belligerents
| recognition Of the independence of Cuba neu
trail intervention to end the war by imposing
rational compromise between these contestant
and Intervention in favor of one or the othe
| party. speak not Of forcible annexation. TO
| of morality. would be criminal aggression.
| Recognition or the bslligerency of the Cubal
| insurgents has often been canvassed as possi
ten years struggle, and during the present war
A Former Opinion of Congress.
| lam not unmindful that the two houses O
congress, In the spring of 1925, expl essed tn
| opinion by concurrent resolution that condi
| tion OF public war existed requiring or justify
igerency In Cuba, and during the ex
ira session the senate voted
joint resolution OF like import which, howeve.
| was not brought TO q vote in the house. Tn
| legislative branch, IL hehooyes the executive b
| soberly consider the conditions under which 8
| important measure must need rest for iustih
cation
A Matter to be Seriously Considered.
II is to be seriously considered whether tn
Cuban insurreotion passes beyond dispute tn
/ attributes of statehood which alone can de
| mand the recognition OF belligerency in 1t
/ favor. Possession, in short, OF the essentia
| qualifications OF sovereignty by the insurgent
| and the conduct of the war by them accoriin
4 to the received code of war. are no less imper
tant factors toward the discrimination of tn
All hall