The Chipley banner. (Chipley, Washington County, Fla.) 1893-1943, 1897-12-18
The prospect from time to tims that

The prospect from time to time that
the weakness OF SPANS hold OH the
island and the political vicissitude, and
emoarrassments OF the home govern.
ment might lead 60 the transfer OF Cuba
10 continental power called forth be-.
tween 1898 and 1850 various emphati
DECLARATIONS OF the policy of the United
states TO permit no disturbance OF Gu.
pas connection with Spain unless in
the direction OF independence or acqui.
sition by MS through purchase; nor has
there been any change of this declared
poiicy since upon the part Of the govern.
ment.
The present instruction broke out in
February, 1856. Il is not my purpose
at this time to recall its remarkable fin.
crease or to characterize its tenacious
resistance against the enormous forces
massed against 1t by Spain. The revolt
and the efortss to subdue it carried de.
struchon to every quarter OF the island,
developing wide proportions and defy.
Ing the efforts OF Spain for its suppress,
sion. The civilized code was regarded
no less so BY the Spaniards than by the
Cubans.
The existing conditions cannot but
Ill this government and the American
people with the gravest npprehens sion.
There Is no desire OH the part OF oui
people to profit by the misfortunes OF
Spain. We have only the desire to see
the Cubans prosperous and oontented,
enjoying that measure OF self control
which Is the inalienable right Of man,
protected III their right to reap the ben.
eft OF the exhaustless treasures of their
country.
The cruel policy Of concentration was
initiated Feb. l6. 1885. The prod uctive
districts controlled by the Spanish ar.
mics were depopulated. The agricult.
ural inhabitants were herded In and
about the garrison towns, their lands
laid waste aud their dwellings de.
stroyed. This policy OF the late cabinet
OF Spain was justified as necessary
measure Of war aud as q means OF cut.
ting off supplies from the insurgents.
1t has utterly failed as u war. measure.
1t was not civilized warfare. 1t was
determination.
Against this abuse OF the rights oil
war, / have felt constrained on re-
peated occasions to enter the firm aud
There was much OF public conde mna.
ton OF American citizens by alleged
arrests aud long imprisonment. await.
ing trial or pending judicial proceed
Jugs. ! felt 1t my first duty to make
instant demands for the release or
speedy trial Of all American citizens
under arrest. Before the change of the.
Splash cabinet in October last 20 pris.
oners, citizens Of the United States, had
been given their freedom.
MT. woodford's Instructions.
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 the ending Of the war in Cuba by
reaching peaceful and lasting result,
just and honorable alike to Spain and
to the Cuban people.
The reply to our note was received on
Oct. rs. IL is In the direction Of bet.
ter understanding. 1t appreciates the
friendly purposes OF this government
1t admits that our country is deeply
affected by the war in Cuba aud that its
desires for peace are just. 1t declares
that the present Spanish government is
bound by every consideration to q
change OF policy that should satisfy the
United States aud paoify Cuba within
a reasonable time. To this end Spain
has decided put into effect the politi
cal reforms heretofore advocated by the
present premier without hating for
any consideration in the path which, in
its Judgment, leads to peace. The mil
itary operations, it 10 said. will con-
tinue, but will be humane and con.
Quoted 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 invest.
ing Cuba with distinct personality;
the island to be governed by an exeou.
tive and by q local council or chamber.
reserving to Spain the control OF the
foreign relations, the army aud navy
and the judicial administration. To 40.
compish this the present government
proposes to modify existing legislation
by decree, leaving the Spanish cortes,
with the aid Of Cuban senators and dep
uties. to solve the economic problem
aud properly distribute the existing
debt.
In the absence OF declaration OF the
measures that the government proposes
to take in carrying out its prefer Of
good offices IL suggests that Spain be
left free to conduct military operations
and grant political reforms, while the
United States for its part shall enforce
it's neutral obligations and cut of the
assistance which 1t Is asserted the insur.
gents receive from this country. The
superstition Of an indefinite prolongation
OF the war is denied. It Is asserted that
the western provinces are already well
nigh reclaimed; that the planting OF
tobacco therein has been resumed and
that by force Of arms and new and am.
pie reforms very early and complete
pacification is hoped for.
Discussion of the question Of interna.
tional duties and responsibilities OF the
United States as Spain understands
them is presented with an apparent dis.
position to charge us with failure in this
regard. This charge 10 without any
basis in fact. It could not have been
- 40 Cnaiu. had haan COOniz cant of