Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1897-12-07

The most important problem with
which this government is now called upon
to deal pertaining to IL foreign relations
concerns its duty toward Spain and the
Cuban insurrection lroblembs and con
ditions more or less in common with those
now existing have confronted this gov.
ernmcnt at various tlnts in The past
The story of Cues 10 many y AIRS has
been one III unre q. EF5n,t dissent;
an effort Onward IA y ge eA+ lent or
liberty and SELF control; OF Organized re-
sistance 10 che mother country; of de
preston after distress and warfare, and of
Intellectual settlement to be followed by
renewed revolt For no enduring period
since the enfranchisement OF the conti-
mental possessions of Spain in the west
ern 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 SPANS hold upon the island
and the political vicissitudes and embar-
easements of the home government might
lead to the transfer OF Cuba to n CONT
mental power called forth, between lS.2!3
and 1860 various emphatic declarations
of the policy of the United States to per
init no dis tgbanee of Cuba ) connection
with s,pail. anlcss in the direction of in
dependence or acquisition b. us through
purchase; nor his there been any change
part OF the government. The revolution
which ct.tH III 4s6j lasted for ten years.
desbi,c Tire strenuous efforts Of the sue
cess eninsular governments to sup
press it, .len rs now, the government
OF the / y 81 states testified TO its grave
concern cred is aid % put an end
TO the BIZ ne! in IDA. The oYertures
made by G. ncrai tfrant were refused and
the war RACED on, entaiiing great loss
of life ara Increased injury to American
interest. beside throwing enhanced bur
dens OF neutrality upon his government.
In 1916 ,;ae was brought about by the
truce of ..nJun, obtained by negotiations
between TIE spanish commander, Ma
timex de Campos and the insurgent leati-
erS.
Rules OF civilized War ignored.
The pres elt instruction broke out in
Februas, 95 1t is not my purpose at
this tine & tecall its remarkable increase
or TO characterize it's tenacious resistance
against the enormous 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 it's suppression The civil
lied code of war has been disregarded,
no less so by the Spaniards than by the
Cubans.
The existing conditions cannot but fill
this government and the American people
with the gravest apprehensions 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
prosperous and contented. enjoying that
measure of self control which is the in
alienable right of man, protected in their
right to reap the benefit of the cxhaustless
treasures of their country
The offer made by my predecessor in
April, 1896, rendering the friendly offices
of this government failed. Any media
ton ON our part was not accepted. In
brief the answer read: "There is no eff
fectual way to pacify Cuba unless it be-
gins with the actual submission of the
rebels to the mother country
Then only could Spain act In the prom
ised direction of her own motion and after
her own plans. The cruel policy of con-
centration was initiated February is,
1896. The productive districts controlled
by the Spanish armies were depopulated.
The agricultural inhabitants were herded
in and about the garrison towns, their
lands laid waste and their dwellings de-
stroyed. This policy the late cabinet of
spain justified as necessary measure of
war and rs means of cutting off supplies
from the insurgents. 1t has utterly failed
as war measure. 1t was not civilized
warfare. 1t was determination.
Protested Against Spanish Cruelty.
Against this abuse of the rights of war
l have felt constrained on repeated oc-
cations to enter the firm and earnest pro-
test of this government There was much
of public condemnation of the treatment
of American citizens by alleged illegal
arrests and long Imprisonment awaiting
trial or pending protracted judicial pro-
ceedings felt it my first duty to make
instant demand for the release or speedy
trial of all American citizens under arrest.
Before the change of the Spanish cabinet
in October last ~ prisoners, citizens of the
United States had been given their free
dom.
For the relief of our own citizens suf-
fering because OF the conflict the aid of
congress was sought in u special message
and under the appropriation of April 4,
1897, effective aid has been given to Amer
lean citizens N Cuba, many of them at
their own request having been returned
to the United States
The instruction given to our new min
lister to Spain before his departure for his
post directed him to impress upon that
government the sincere wish of the
United States to lend it's aid toward the
ending of the war in Cuba by reaching a
peaceful and lasting result, just and hon
orable alike to Spain and to the Cuban
people. These instructions recited the
character and duration of the contest. the
widespread losses it entails, the burdens
and restraints it imposes upon us, with
constant disturbance of national interests
and the injury resulting from an indefin-
tie continuance of this state of things.
1t was stated that at this juncture our
government was constrained to seriously
enquire if the time was not ripe when
Spain of her own volition moved by her
own interests and every sentiment of
humanity, should put stop to this de-
structive war and make proposals of set
Element honorable to herself and inst to