Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-12-06

| towns, their lands laid waste and their
dwellings, destroyed, This policy the
late cabinet of Spain justified as nee
essary measure OF war and as % means
| Of cutting off supplies from the In
| surgents
II has utterly failed as a war meas
IRE. 1t was not civilized warfare. 1t
| wns determination
| Against this abuse Of the rights of
| war / have felt constrained on re-
| peated occasions to enter the firm and
| earnest protest of this government
| There was much Of public condcmna-
| tion Of the treatment of american citi-
| zens by alleged illegal arrests and long
| Imprisonment awaiting trial oil pAudlng
protracted judicial procedureH | felt
| it my first duty to make instant de-
mand for the release or speedy trial Of
| MI American citizens under arrest. Be
| fore the change of the Spanish cabinet
in October. twenty-five prisoners eiti-
zens of the United states, had been
| given their freedom.
For the relief Of our own citizens
| suffering because of the conflict, the
aid Of Congress was sought In 4
special message and under tho appro-
priation of April 4. 1887 effective aid
has been given to American citizens in
cuba, and many of them Mt their own
request, have 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 sincere wish
Of the United States to lend its aid to-
ward ending the war IN Cuba, by
reaching peaceful and lastng result,
Just and honorable alike 20 spain and
the Cuban people.
These instructions recited the char
acter and duration OF the contest. the
widespread losses II entails, the bur-
dcns and restraint 1t imppses upon us,
with constant disturbance of national
interests and the injury resulting from
an indefinite continuance Of this state
of things. II was stated that at this
iuncture our government was con-
strained to seriously inquire If the time
was not ripe when Spall of her own
volition. moved by her own interests
and every sentiment of humanity,
should put a stop to this destructive
war and make proposals of settle
ment honorable to herself and just to
her Cuban colony. 1t was urged that
as neishhoring nation, with large In
terests in Cuba. we could be required
to wait only "A reasonable time for the
mother country to establish its author
lty and restore peace and order within
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, pre-
else proposals were withheld to avoid
embarrassment to that government.
All that was asked or expected was
that some safe way might be speedily
provided and permanent peace re-
stored. 1t so CHANGED that the con-
slderation of this offer, addressed to
the same Spanish administration which
had declined the tenders of my prcde-
cessor and which for more than two
years had poured men and treasure
Into Cuba in the fruitless EFFORT to sup
press the revolt, fell to others.
Between the departure of General
Woodford, the new envoy, and his ar
rival in Spain, the statesman who had
shaped the policy of his country fell
i'y the hands Of an assaihsin and al
though the cabinet of the late premier
stll held Office and received from our
envoy the proposals he bore, that cabi-
net gave place within few days there
after to a new administration under the
leadership of Sagasta.
SPANS REPLY.
The reply to our note was received on
the 23rd day of october. 1t is i'm the
direction of better understanding
1t appreciates the friendly purposes of
this government 1t admits that our
country is deeply affected by the war
In Cuba and that its desires for peace
are Just. 1t declares that the present
Spanish government is bound by every
consideration to change of policy
that should satisfy the United States
and pacify Cuba within reasonable
time. To this end Spain has decided
to put into effect the political reforms
heretofore advocated by the present
premier without hating for any con
sideration 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 sover-
eighty. This, 1t is claimed, will result
in investing Cuba with a distinct per-
sonality, the island to he governed by
an executive and by local council or
chamber, reserving to Spain the CON
troll of the foreign relations. the army
and navy and the judicial admlnistra-
ton.
To accomplish this the present gov
eminent proposes to modify existing
legislation by decree leaving the Span
ish cortes, with the aid of Cuban sen
ators and deputies, to solve the econu-
mic problem and properly distribute
the eXising debts.
the measures that the government pro-
poses to take in carrying out its prof
FER of good offices, II suggests that
Spain be left free to conduct military
operations and grant political reforms
while the United States, for its part,
shall enforce its neutral obligations.
and cut off the assistance which it Is
asserted the insurgents are receiving
from this country The suppostion of
an indefinite 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 re-
sumed, and that by force of arms and
new and ample reforms very early
and complete qualification is hoped for.
The immediate amclioration of ok
isting conditions under the new admin
sitration of Cuban affairs In predicted.
and therewithal the disturbance ana
all occasion for any change of attitude
on the part of the United States, Dis
cussion of the question OF International
duties and responsibilities of the United
States as Spain understands them. Is
presented, with an apparent DISPOSE
ton to charge us with failure in this
regard. This charge is without any
basis of fact. II 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 admins
tratlve machinery at the national COM
mand to perform Its fun duty accord
ing to the law of nations. Tint II has
successfully prevented the departure of
u single military expedition or armed
vessel from our shores in violation of