Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-05-20
OLNEY's LETTER TO DE LONE.
Suggests That Spain Accept Intervention
and Hints at Force.

Inc letter from secretary Olney 10
Spanish Minister De LONE under date
of April 4, 1896, is the one in which in
PREVENTION is suggested. In opening Oh
ney said: 1T might be well deemed
a dereliction of duty to the govern
ment of the United States as well as a
censureable want of candor to Spain if I
We're longer to defer official expression
as we'll of the anxiety with which the
president regards the existing situation
in Cuba as of his earnest desire for the
prompt and permanent pacification of
the island. Any plan giving reasonable
assurance of that result and not in
consistent with the just rights and rea-
sonable demands of all concerned would
be earnestly promoted by him by all
means which the constitution and laws
of this country place at his disposal.
ut is impossible to deny that the eX-
pectations entertained by you in the
summer and fall of 1895 have
been completely disappointed. The in
surgentS seem today to command a
larger part of the island than ever be-
fore"-etc.. etc. The secretary declares
further along that outside of the towns
lessness and terrorism are rampant"
THE situation thus described" he con-
tinues, lis of great interest to the peo-
pie of the United States. They are in
terested in any struggle anywhere for
freer political institutions, but neces-
sarily and in special measure in strug-
gle that is raging almost in sight of
our Shores"
He said his purpose was not at that
time to suggest Intervention, but that
the United States could not contemplate
with complacency another ten years of
Cuban instruction. Olney then sug-
gests that neither Spain nor the Cubans
can reasonably object to this interview
ton, and adds that if anything is to be
done it should be done at once and on
SPANS initiative.
Foraker read only the following eX-
tract from Mr.. De Lome's reply, which
was dated June 4, 1896: In brief, there
is no effectual way to pacify Cuba, un-
less it begins with the actual submission
of the armed rebels to the mother coun-
try. Notwithstanding this, the
government of the United States could,
by the use of proper means, contribute
greatly to the pacification of the island
of Cuba. The government of his me-
jesty is already very grateful to that
of the United States for its intention to
prosecute the unlawful expeditions TO
Cuba of some of its citizens with more
vigor than in the past, after making a
judicial investigation as to the ade-
quacy Of its laws when honestly en-
forced.
Still, the high moral sense of the
government of Washington will I'M
doubtedly suggest to it other more eff
fectual means Of preventing henceforth
what is now the case, a struggle which
is going on so near its frontiers and
which is proving so injurious to its in
dustry and commerce. fact justly de-
plored by your excellency-being pro-
longed so exclusively by the powerful
assistance which the rebellion finds in
the territory of this great republic,
against the wishes of all those who love
order and law. The constant violation
of international law in its territory is
especially manifest on the part of Gu
ban emigrants who care nothing for the
losses suffered in the meanwhile by the
citizens Of the United States and of
Spain through the prolongation of the
war.
THE Spanish government, on its part,
has done much and will do more every
day in order to achieve such a dssira-
BE end, by endeavoring to correct the
mistakes OF public opinion in the United
States and by exposing the plots and
calumnies of its rebellious subjects
When the government of the
United States shall once be convinced
of our being in the right. and that hon.
est conviction shall in some manner be
| made public, but little more will be re.
| quired in order that all those in Cuba
| who are not merely striving to accom-.
| plish the total ruin of, the beautiful
| country in which they were born. bein.
then hopeless Of outside help and DOW.
| erless by themselves, will lay down thei,
! arms.
| Until that happy state Of things ha.
| been attained, Spain will. in the ms
! defense not only of her rights. but ais.
| OF her duty and honor. continue the ef
| forts for an early victory which she j,
row exerting regardless Of the creates
4 sacrifices"
l Death for Train Wreckerx