davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-21

WANTED permanent office assistant
and correspondent here. Either lady or
gentleman. Salary $3.50. Enclose self
addressed stamped envelope 20 W. l..
BROWN, General Manager, care DAILY
OPTIc. 2b0-tf
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-21

E.R RENT a furnished cottage. see DIR,
II Olney.
TOR EALE-Team OF horses, new hsr.
\ ness, new three-inch wagon, tent. etc,
Apply here. 150-tf
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-21
STREET TALK.

wasn's II a soaksrf
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-21

Mrs. F. L. Peter, Mrs. H. L. Beatty
Chicago; A. Gelst, Hugo Scharwenka,
New York, J. A. Wigs, Jr., Ration; g. A
Buckley, Iowa; Mrs. Alice james, San
Luis Potosi, Mex. Mrs. Fransley, Jeffer-
son City, NO.; F. A. Briggs and wife
Bismarck, N. d., put up at the Depot
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-12-07
hington, D. c., December g.
bssage of President Mckinley to
ess follows verbatim:
y Senate and House of Representa-

1t gives me pleasure to extend greet
ing to the F'ifty-fifth. Congress, assem-
bled in regular session at the seat OF
government, with many of whose Sen
atorS and Representatives | have been
associated in the legislative service.
This meeting occurs under fellcltouS
conditions, justifying sincere congratu-
lations, and calling for our grateful
acknowledgment to a benificent Provi-
dence, which has so signally blessed and
prOspered- us as a nation. Peace and
good will with all the nations of the
earth continue unbroken. A matter of
genuine satisfaction is the growing feel
ing Of fraternal regard and unification
of all sections of our country, the in
completeness of which has too long de-
layed realization of the highest bless
iDgs of the Union. The spirit of patri-
otism is universal and is ever increasing
in fervor. The public questions which
now most engrosS us are lifted far
above either partisanship, prejudice or
former sectional differences. They af-
feet every part of our common country
alike and permit of no division on
ancient lines. Questions of foreign pol
icy, of revenue, the soundness of the
currency, the lnvlOlablllty OF national
obligations, the improvement of the
public service, appeal to the individual
conscience of every earnest citizen, to
whatever party he belongs or in what
ever section of the country he may re-
side.
The extra session Of Congress, which
closed during July last, enacted impor-
tant legislation, and, while its full eff
feet has not yet been realized, what it
has already accomplished assures us
of its timelness and wisdom. To test
It's permanent value further time will be
required, and the people, satisfied with
its operation and results thus far, arc
in no mind to withhold from it a fair
trial.
TARIFF LEGISLATION
having been settled by the extra ses-
sion of Congress, the question next
pressing for consideration is that of
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-12-07

policy the late cabinet 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
war measure 1t was not civilized war
fare. 1t was determination.
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 citizens by al
legged illegal arrests and long imprison-
ment awaiting trial or pending pro-
tracted judicial proceedings. l felt it
my first duty to make instant demand
for the release or speedy trial of all
American citizens under arrest. Be
fore 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 own citizens suf-
fering because of the conflict the aid OF
Congress was sought in a special mes
sage and under the appropriation of
April f. 1897, effective aid has been
given to American citizens in Cuba,
many of them at their own request hav-
ing been returned to the United States.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-12-07

of one or the other party. speak lct Of
fOrcible annexation, for that cannot be
thought OF That by our code of NOR
atty would be criminal aggression.
Recognition of the belligerency of the
Cuban insurgents has often been can
vassed as possible if not inevitaDle
step both in regard to the previous
ten years struggle and during the
present war. / am not unmindful that
the two houses of Congress in the
spring of 1896 expressed the opinion
by concurrent resolution that condi-
ton of public war existed requiring
or justifying the recognition of a
state of belligerency in Cuba, and dur
ing the extra session the Senate voted
joint resolution of like import which
however was not brought to a vote IN
the House of Representatives In the
presence of these significant express
sions of the sentiment of the legislative
branch it behooves the executive
TO SOBERLY CONSIDER
the conditions under which so import
ant measure must needs rest for
justification. 1t is TO be seriously
considered whether the Cuban insur-
rection possesses beyond dispute the
attributes OF, statehood, which alone
can demand the recognition of bellig-
erency in it's favor. Possession, III
short of the essential qualifications OF
sovereignty by the insurgents and the
conduct of the war by them accord
ing to the received code of war are
no less important factors toward the
determination of the problem OF bel
ligerency than are the influences and
consequences of the struggle upon the
internal policy OF the recognizing
state.
The wise utterances of President
Grant in his memorable message of De-
cember Z, 1876, are signally relevant to
the present situation in Cuba and it
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-12-07
WOODFORD'S INSTRUCTIONS
Were to Demand Restoration of Peace,
and This Has Been Concluded in a Way.

The instructions given to our new
Minister to Spain, before his departure
for his post. directed him to impress
upon that government the sincere
wishes of the United States to lend its
aid toward the ending of the war IN
Cuba by reaching peaceful and lasting
result, just and honorable alike TO
Spain and the Cuban people. These
instructions recited the character and
duration 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 indefi-
mite continuance of this state of things
1t was stated that at this juncture our
government was constrained to serious
ly inquire if the time was not ripe when
Spain, of her own volition, moved by
her own interests and every sentiment
of humanity. to put a stop TO
this destructive war and make pro-
posals of settlement honorable to her
self and just to her Cuban colony. 1t
was urged that, as a neighboring ma
ton, with large interests in Cuba. we
could be required to wait only reas-
enable time for the mother country to
establish its authority and restore peace
and order within the borders Of the
island; that we could not contemplate
an indefinite period for the accomplish
ment OF this result No solution was
proposed to which the slightest idea OF
humiliation to Spain could attach, and.
indeed. precise proposals were withheld
to avoid embarrassment to that govern
ment. All that was asked or expected
was that some safe way might be speed
lily provided and permanent peace re-
stored.
1T so CHANGED
that the consideration of this offer. ad-
dressed to the same Spanish admins
tration which had declined the tenders
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-12-07

territory as to take the contest out of
the category Of a mere rebellious insur-
rection, or occasional skirmish, and
place it on the terrible footing of war,
to which a recognition of belligerency
would aim to elevate it.
The contest, moreover, is solely on
land; the insurrection has not possessed
itself OF single seaport whence it may
send forth its flag, nor has it any
means of communication with foreign
powers, except through the military
lines OF its adversaries. No hpprehen-
sion of any of these sudden and diff
cult complications which a war upon
the ocean is apt to participate upon the
vessels, both commercial and national,
and upon the consular officers of other
powers, calls for the definition of their
relations to the parties to the contest.
Considered as
A QUESTION OF EXPEDIENCY,
I regard the accordance of beliggerent
rights still to be as unwise and prema-
ture. as regard it to be, at present, in
defensible as measure Of right.
Such recognition entails upon the
country according the rights which
flow from it difficult and complicated
duties, and requires the exaction from
the contending parties of the strict OBJ
servance of their rights and obliga-
lions. 1t confers the right of search
upon the high seas by vessels of both
parties; it would subject the carrying
of arms and munitions of war which
now may be transported freely and
without interruption in vessels of the
United States, to detention and to pos
sible seizure; it would give rise to
countless vexatious questions; would
release the parent government from
responsibility for acts done by the in
surgents and would invest Spain with
the right to exercise the supervision
recognized by our treaty of 1895 over
our commerce on the high seas, very
large part of which, in its traffic be-
tween the Atlantic and the guilt states,
and between all of them and the states
on the Pacific, passes through the wa
te>s which wash the shores of Cuba.
The exercise of this supervision could
scarce fail to lead, if not to abuse,
certainly to collisions perilous- to the
peaceful relations of the two states.
There can be little doubt as to what re-
suit such supervision would before
long draw this nation. 1t would be I'M
worthy of the United States to inau-
gurate the possibilities of such result,
by measures of questionable right or
eXpediency, of by any indiscretion.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-12-07

lations, the army and navy and the
judicial administration. TO accom-
plish this the present government pro-
poses to modify existing legislation by
decree, leaving the Spanish cOrtes
with the aid of Cuban senator's and
deputies to solve tn economic prob
lem and properly distribute the exist
ing debt.
In the absence of declaration of the
measures that this government pro-
poses to take in carrying out its proffer
of good Offices it 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
q CUT OFF THE ASSISTANCE
which it is asserted the insurgents re-
ceive from this country. The SUPPOSE
ton 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 pacification is hoped for.
The immediate amelioration of exist
ing conditions under the new admins
tration of Cuban affairs is predicted
and therewithal the disturbance and all
occasion for any change of attitude on
the part Of the United States. Discus
sion of the question of the information
al duties and responsibilities of the
United States as Spain understands
| them, is presented with an apparent
disposition TO charge us with failure in
this regard. This charge IS without
| any basis in fact. 1t 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 administrative
machinery of the nation at command tc
| perform its full duty according to the
! law Of the nations. That it has sue.
| cessfully prevented the departure of Z
single military expedition or armed
vessel from our shores in violation O
our laws would seem to be a sufficien
! answer. But of this aspect of th'
| Spanish note it is not necessary Il
/ speak further now. Firm in the con
| viction of a wholly performed obliga
| ton due response to this charAe hal
ben made in diplomatic course.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-12-07
GIVE SAGASTA A CHANCE.
The President Declares He Has Entered
FAITHFULLY Upon the Discharge of Re
Gently Assumed obligations

Faithfully Upon the Discharge of Re
Gently Assumed Obligations.
That the gov lplont Of Sagasta has
entered upon Il course from which ,e-
cession with honor is impossible caa
hardly be questioned; that in tile /, W
l. undeniahia ''' 40 = ~ H.
/ shall not impugn its sincerity, nor
should Impotence be suffered TO em-
barrass ii in the task it mas UNDER
taken. 1t is honestly due to Spain
and to our friendly relations with
Spain that she should be given rea-
sOnable chance TO realize her expecta-
tons and to prove the asserted efficacy
Of the new order of things To which
she stands irrevocably committed.
She has modified the horrible order OF
concentration, and has undertaken TO
care for the helpless and permit those
who desire to resume the cultivation
of their fields to do so. and assures
them of the protection OF the Spanish
government in their lawful occupa-
TONS She has just released the Com
petitor prisoners heretofore sentenced
to death, and who have been the sub
ject of repeated diplomatic corresponds
ence during both this and the pre-
ceding administration.
AMERICANS ARE ALL FREE.
Not a single American citizen Is now
in arrest or confinement in Cuba, of
whom this government has any knowi-
edge. The near future will demon
strate whether the Indispensable eondi-
ton of a righteous peace just alike to
the Cubans and to Spain. as well as
equitable to all our interests so in
timately involved In the welfare OK
Cuba, is likely to be attained. If not,
the exigency of further and other ac-
ton by the United States will remain
to be taken. When that time comes
that action will be determined In the
line of indisputable right and duty. 1t
| will be faced without misgiving or hes
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-12-07

may be wholesome now to recall them.
At that time ruinous conflict had for
seven years wasted the neighboring is
land. During all those years an utter
disregard of the laws OF civilized war
fare and of the just demands Of human
ity, which called for the expressions of
condemnation from the nations of
Christendom, continued undated.
Desolation and ruin pervaded that pro-
ductive region, enormously affecting
the commerce of all commercial ma
lions, but that of the United States
more than any other, by reason Of
proximity and larger trade and inter-
course. At that juncture General
Grant
UTTERED THESE WORDS,
which nov as then sum up the ele-
ments of the problem
"A recognition of the independence
of Cuba being in my opinion, imprac-
ticable and indefensible, the question
which next presents itself Is that of the
recognition of belligerent rights in the
parties to the contest In a former
message to Congress | had occasion to
consider this question and reached the
d,
dreadful and devastating as were its in
cidents, Gid not rise to the fearful dig
nity Of war 1t is nos
sible that the acts of foreign powers,
and even acts Of Spain herself, of this
very nature, might be pointed in de-
tense of such recognition. But now,
as in its past history, the United States
should carefully avoid the false lights
which might lead it into the mazes of
doubtful law and of questionable pro-
priety, and adhere rigidly and sternly
to the rule, which has been its guide, OF
! doing only that which is right and
| honest and of good report The ques-
! ton Of according or of Withholding
| rights of beligerency must be judged in
| every case, in view of the particular at
! tending facts. Unless justified by ne
( cessity, it is always, and justly, regard
1 ed as an unfriendly act and a gratuit-
1 Gus demonstration of moral support to
/ the rebellion. 1t is necessary, and it is
I required, when the interests and rights
| OF another government or of its people
/ are so far affected by a pending civil
/ conflict as to require a definition Of its
( relations to the parties thereto. But
/ this conflict must be one which will be
| recognized in the sense Of international
| law as war.
"Belligerence, too. is facts The mere
existence Of contending armed bodies
and their occasional conflicts,
DO NOT CONSTITUTE WAR
! in the sense referred to. Applying Il
the existing condition of affairs il
Cuba the tests recognized by publieistl
and writers OF international law, ant
which have been observed by nations o
dignity, honesty and power, when fire.
| from sensitive OF selfish and unworth,
motives, l fail to find in the instruction
the existence Of such substantial po
litical organization, real. palpable an'
manifest TO the world having the form
and capable of the ordinary functions o
government toward its own people an
to other states. with courts for the ad
ministraticn Of justice, with local hah
itation, possessing such organization Q
| force, such material. such occupation 9
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-12-07

full agricultural pursuits and productive
industries. That past methods are
tile to force a peace by subjugation
freely admitted and that ruin wit1
Cancellation must inevitably fail to(
for Spain the fidelity of contsnted
tendency.
DEGREES in application of the ia
Swallowed reforms have already bey
promulgated. The full text of these
DEGREES has not been received, but as
furnished in telegraphic Summary
from our minister are:
All civil and electoral rights of me-
ninsular Spaniards are, in virtue of ey-
listing constitutional authority. forth
with extended TO colonial Spaniards. IA
scheme OF autonomy has been proclaim
ed by decree. to become effective unon
ratif1cation by the Cortes. It creates a
cuban parliament, which. with the in
sular executive, can consider and vote
upon all subjects affecting local order
ana interests, possessing unlimited now
ers, save as to matters of state. war and
the navy as to which the governor gem
eral acts by his own authority as the
delegate of the central government
This Parliament receives the oath ~
the governor general to preserve faith
fully the liberties and privileges of tho
colony, and to 1t the colonial secrata-
rles are responsible 1t has the RIGHT
TO propose to the central government
through the governor general. modiIi.
cations of the national charter. and RI
invite new projects of law or executive
measures in the interest of the colony
Besides its local powers il is COM
lot -.
lstration and procedure and prescribe
the qualifications of electors and the
manner of exercising suffrage; second.
10 organize courts of justice
WITH NATIVE JUDGES
from members of the local bar: third
TO frame the insular budget, both AZ 70
expenditures and revenues. without
limitation of any kind, and to ser
apart the revenues to meet the Cuban
snare OF the national budget, which lar
ter Will be voted by the national
cortes with the assistance of Cuban
Senators and deputies: fourth, To in
luate or take part in the negotiations,
or the national government fer COM
mercial treaties, which may affect t',t-
pan interests; fifth, to accept or raieet n
commercial treaties which the national
government may have concluded with
out the participation of the Cubaa gcv-
eminent; sixth, to frame ths colonial
tariff, acting in accord with the penin-
sular government IN scheduling anti
cies OF mutual commerce between lie
mother country and the colonies. Be-
fore introducing or voting upcn bill,
the cuban government or the chambers
Will lay the project before the central
government. and hear It's opinion
thereon, all the correspondence in such
regard being made public. Finally.
all conflicts of jurisdiction arising be-
tween the different mlnicipal, provin.
cial and insular asempi IS, or between
the latter and the insular execn.i,t
power, and wniea from their nature
may not be relefc,rie 10 the cep.tsi
government ioi decision, shall be sub
mitted to the courts.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-12-07

Of my predecessor, and which for more
than two years had poured men and
treaure into Cuba, into the fruitless Of
fort to suppress 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
by the hand of an assassin, and al
though the cabinet of the late premier
still held Office and received from our
envoy the proposals he bore, that cab
met gave place within few days
thereafter to a new administration
under the leadership OF Sagasta. The
reply to our note was received on the
23rd day of October. 1t is in the
direction of a 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 it's 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 &C
commanded NV no1itinal action leading
to the autonomy of Cuba while guard
ing Spanish sovereignty. This, it is
claimed, will result in investing Cuba
with a distant personality; the island
to be governed by an executive and by
a local council or chamber, reserving
to Spain the control or the foreign re-
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-12-07
BRAVE LITTLE CUBA.

Struggling to BE Free, Has Appealed to
Mckinley, But He Has Controlled His
Sympathies.
The most important problem with
which this government is now called
upon to deal, pertaining to it's foreign
relation, concerns its duty toward
Spain and the Cuban instruction.
Problems and conditions more or less
in common with those now existing
have confronted this government at
various times in the past The story of
Cuba for many years has been one of
unrest, growing dissent, an effort
toward a larger enjoyment OF liberty
and self control, of organized resistance
to the mother country, of depression af-
ter distres and warfare, and of inef-
fectual settlement, to be followed by
renewed revolt. For no enduring period
since the Acknowledgement of the
continental possessions of Spain
in the Western continent has
the condition Of Cuba or the
policy Of Spain toward Cuba not
caused concern to the United States.
The prospect from time to time that the
weakness of Spain's hold upon the
island, and the political vicissitudes and
embarrassments of the home govern
ment, might lead to the transfer of
Cuba to continental power, called
forth, between 1923 and 1850. various
emphatic declarations of the policy of
the United States to permit no disturb
ance of Cuba's connection with Spain.
unless in the direction of independence
or acquisition by Us through purchase:
nor has there been any change of this
declared policy since upon the part of
the government. The revolution which
began in 1865
LASTED FOR TEN YEARS
despite the strenuous efforts Of the sue
cessive peninsular governments to sup
press it. Then, as now, the government
Of the United States testified its grave
concern and offered its aid to put an
end to bloodshed in Cuba. The over
lures made by General Grant were re-
fused and war dragged on, entailing
great loss of life and Increased injury
to American interests. besides throwing
enhanced burdens of neutrality upon
government IN 1878 peace was
about by the truce of Zanjon,
Aby negotiations between the