The San Francisco call., 1897-12-07


The offer made by my predecessor in April.
1896, rendering the friendly offices of This
Government, failed, and 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 su omis-
sion of the rebels TO the mother country"
Then only could Spain act IN the promised di-
rection OF her own motion and after her own
plans. The cruel policy of concentration was
initiated February 16, 1896 The productive
districts controlled by the Spanish armies
were depopulated, and the agricultural nhab-
itants were herded in and bout the garrison
towns, their lands laid waste and their dwell
ings destroyed This policy the lac Cab
met of Spain justified as a necessary measure
OF war and as a means of cutting off supplies
from the insurgents. 1t has utterly failed as
a war measure. 1t was not civilized warfare;
it was determination.
Against this abuse of the rights of war 1
have felt constrained on repeated occasions to
enter the firm ana earnest protest of this Gov
ernment. There was much OF public condem-
nation OF the treatment of American cltiz ms
by alleged illegal arrest and long i'm prisonment
awaiting trial or pending protracted judi cial
procedures. felt ii my first duty to make in
slant demand for the releas or speedy ial OF
all American citizens under arrest. Before the
change OF the Spanish Cabinet in October last
twenty-five prisoners citizens of the United
States, had been given their freedom.
For the relief of our citizens suffering be-
cause OF the conflict the aid of Congress was
sought in special message, and under the
appropriation of April 4, 1897 effective aid
has been gwen to American citizens in Cuba
and many of them at their own request have
been returned ro the United States.
The instructions
Minister Woodford given 10 our new
and His Mission. Minister to Spain
before his depart
ure for his post directed him TO impress upon
that Government the sincere wish of the
United States to lend its id toward ending
the war in Cuba by reaching a peaceful and
lasting result, just and honorable alike TO
Spain and the Cuban people. These instruc-
tions recited the character and duration OF
the contest, the widespread losses it entails
the burdens and restraint it imposes upon US,
with constant disturbance OF national inter-
ests and the injury resulting from an indef-
mite con tinuance of this state of things.
1t was stated that at this juncture our Gov
ernment was constrained 10 seriously inquire
If the time WAS not ripe when Spain, OF her
own volitiOn, moved by her own interests and
by eminent sof humanity, should put stop
10 this destructive war and make proposals of
settlement honorable to herself and just TO
her Cuban colony. 1t was urged that as
neighb boring nation with large interests in
Cuba, we could be required to wait only a
reasonable time for the mother country to es-
tablish its authority and restore peace aad
order within the borders of the island; that
we could not contemplate ar indefinite period
for the accomplishment of this result.
No solution proposed TO which the
slightest idea OF humiliation to Spain could
attach, and indeed, precise proposals were
withheld to avoid embarrassment to that Gov
ernment. All that was asked or expected was
that some sale way might be speedily provided
and permanent peace restored II so chanced
that the consideration of this offer, addressed
to the Spanish administration which had de-
clined the tenders of my predecessor, and
which for more than two years had poured
men and treasure into Cuba in the fruitless ef-
tort TO suppress the revolt, fell TO others. Be
tween the departure Of General Woodford
the new Envoy, and his arrival in Spain, the
statesman who had shaped the policy OF his
coun try fell by the hand OF an assassin and
although the Cabinet of the late Pre- mier still
held otfice and received from our Envoy the
proposals he bore, that Cabinet gave place
within few days thereafter 10 a new ad min
istration under the leadership OF Sagasts.
The reply to our note was received on the
23d day OF October 1t is in the direction of
better understanding. 1t appreciate the
friendly purposes of this Government. 1t ad-
mits that our country is deeply affected by the
war in Cuba, and that its desires for peace are
just 1t declares that the Spanish Govern
ment is bound by every consideration to
change of policy that should satisfy the
United States and pacify Cuba within rea-
sonaDle time. To this end Spain has decided
TO put into effect the political reforms hereto
lore advocated by the present Premier. with
out halting for any consideration in the path
which, in its judgment, leads to peace.
The military operations, it is said, will
continue, but will be humane and
conducted with all regard for private
rights, being accompanied by political
action leading to the autonomy of
Cuba while guarding Spanish sovereignty
This, it is claimed, will result in investing
Cuba with d .stinct personality; the island
TO be governed by an executive and by local
council or chamber, Ieserving TO Spain the
control of the foreign relations. the army and
navy and the judicial administration.
To accomplish this the present Government
proposes TO n odify existing legislation by de-
cree, leaving the Spanish Cortes with the aid
of Cuban Senators and Depu ties, TO solve the
economic problem and properly distribute the
existing debt.
In the absence OF declaration of the meas
ures that the Government proposes 10 take in
carrying out its pToffer of good offices il sug
gests that Spain be left free to conduct mill
tarY operations and grant political reforms
while the United States, for its part, shall en-
force its neutral obligations and cut off the
assistance which it is asserted the insurgents
receive from this country. The suppos tion
of an indefinite prclongatlon of the war is de-
MED. 1t is asser; ed that the western prov
lnces 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 early and COM
plete pactication is hoped for.
The immediate amelioration of xisting con.
ditions under the new administration of Gu
ban affairs is predicted, and therewithal the
d sturba and all occasion for any change
OF attitude on the part of the United States
Discussion of the question of international du-
ties and respons ibll ties of ;he United States,
as Spain understands them, is pres ented
with an apparent disposition 10 charge us
with failure in this regard. This charge is
without any basis in fact. 1t could not have
been maze 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 machinery at the national
command 10 perform its full duty, accord ing
TO the law OF nations. That it has successfully
prevente ted the departure of a single military
expedition or armed vessel from its shores in
violation OF our laws would seem to be a sufi-