Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1897-12-13

| relations and concerning It's duty
toward Spain and the Cuban insur-
rection. Problems and conditions
more or less common with those now
existing, have confronted this govern
ment at various times in the past
The story of Cuba for many years has
been one of unrest, of growing dis
content. of an effort toward a larger
enjoyment of liberty and self control;
of organized resistance to the mother
country; of depression after distress
and warfare, and of Intellectual settle
ment, to be followed by renewed re-
volt,
The present insurrection broke out
in February, 1895. 1t is not my pur-
pose at this time to recall it's remark
able increase, or to characterize its
tenacious resistance against the enor-
nous 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 had been Disregard
ed, no less so sby the lSpaniards than
by the Cubans.
The existing conditions cannot but
fill this government and the Amerl-
can people with the gravest appre-
hension. There is no desire on the
part of our people to profit by the
misfortunes of Spain. We have only
the desire to see the Cubans prosper
Gus and contented, enjoying that
measure of self control which is the
inalienable 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, 1896. rendering
the friendly offices of this govern
ment, failed. Any mediation ion 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
was initiated Feb. 16, 1896. Against
this abuse Of the rights of war, I have
felt constrained on repeated occasions
to enter the firm and earnest protest
of this government. There was much
of public condemnation of the treat
ment of,American citizens by alleged
illegal arrests and long imprisonment,
awaiting trial or pending protracted
judicial proceedings. I felt it my first
duty to make demand for the release
or speedy trial of all American citi-
zens under arrest. Before the change
of the Spanish cabinet in October
last, % prisoners, citizens of the
United States, had been given their
freedom.
For the relief Of our own citizens,
sufferingb 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 citi-
zens in Cuba, many of them at their
own request having been returned to
the United States. The instructions
given to our new minister to Spain
be fre his departure for his post, di-
rected him to impress upon that gov
ernment the sincere wish Of the
United States to lend it's aid toward
the ending Of the war in Cuba by
reac hing a peaceful and lasting result,
just and honorable alike to Spain and
to the Cuban people. These instruc-
tions recited the character and du-
ration of the contest, the widespread
losses it entails, the burdens and re-
straints it imposes upon US, with con-
slant disturbance of national interests
and the injury resulting from an in
definite continuance of this state of
things.
No solution was proposed to which
the slightest idea of humiliation to
Spain could attach; and indeed the
precise proposals were Withheld to
avoid embarrassment to that govern
ment. All that was asked or expect
ed was that some safe way might be
speedily provided and permanently
restored.
The reply to our note was received
on the 23d day of October. It is in
the direction of better understand
ing. 1t appreciates the friendly pur-
poses of this government. It admits
that our country is deeply affected by
the war in Cuba and that its desires
for peace are Just. 1t declares that |