The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-22
D'LoME'S LETTER TO oLNEY.



ter of fact, far from having justice done
il on all sides on these points, there are
many persons obviously deceived by in
cessant ISLANDERS. who honestly believe
that ferocious despotism prevails in cur
Antilles, instead of one of the most liberal
political systems in the world being en-
joyed there now, as we'll as before the
outbreak Of the insurrectton-
zone need only run over the laws gov
erning the Antilles-laws which ought to
be sufficiently known in the United States
at this day-to perceive hcw absolutely
groundless such impressions are.
"A collection of the Cuban newspapers
published in recent years would suffice to
show that few civilized countries then on.
joyed to an equal degree freedom of
thought and of the press-the foundation
of all liberties.
"The government of his majesty and
the peoples of Spain wish and even long
for the pacification of Cuba. In order
10 secure it, they are ready to exert their
best efforts, and at the same time to
adopt such reforms as may be useful or
necessary and compatible of course, with
their inahenable sovereignty, as soon as
the submission of the insurgents be an
accomplish fact.
THE minister of state, while directing
me to bring to the knowledge of your ex-
cellency the following views, instruets me
to remark how pleased he was to observe
that his opinion on this point agrees with
yours.
None is more fully aware OF the Sc
rous evils suffered by Spaniards and
aliens in consequence of the insurrection
than the government of his majesty. 1t
realizes the immense injury inflicted on
Spain by the putting forth. with the unani-
nous cooperation and appreciation of her
people of such efforts as were never be-
fore made in America by an European
country. 1t knows at the same time the
interests of foreign industries and trade
suffer as well as the Spanish interests,
from the insurgent system of devastation,
but if the Instruction should triumph,
the interests of all would not only merely
suffer but would entirely and forever dis
appear amid the madness of perpetual
anarchy.
1T has already been said that, in or
der to prevent evils of such magnitude,
the cabinet. of Madrid does not and will
not condne itself exclusively TO the en-
ployment of armed forces.
"The speech of the throne, read by the
national representatives., formally prom
ised motu proprio not only that all that
was previously granted, voted by the
Cortes and sanctioned by her majesty on
the 18th Of March, 1885, would be carried
into effect as soon as the opportunity Of
fered. but also by fresh authorization of
the Cortes, all the new extensions and
amendments of the original reforms to the
end that both islands may, in the admin
istratiVe department, possess personal or
local character, that the Intervention of
the mother country in their domestic con
Germs may be dispensed with, with the sin
gle reservation that nothing will be done
to impair the rights of sovereignty or the
powers of the government to preserve the
same. This solemn promise, guaranteed
by the august word of his majesty, will
be fulfilled by the Spanish government
with true lberality of views
The foregoing facts. being better known
every day, will make il patent to the fair
people of other nations that Spain, far
from proposing that her subjects in the
West Indies should return TO a regime un-
fit for the times when she enjoys such
liberal laws, would never have withheld
the same laws from the island had it not
been for the increasing separatist conspira-
cies which compel her to look a1Dve all to
self defense
THE government of his majesty most
heartily thanks that of the United States
for the kind advice it bestows ON. Spain,
but it wishes to state, ana entertains the
confidence that your excellency win readi-
ly see that it has been fore-stalling 1t for
a long time past. 1t follows therefore as
matter of course, that il will comply
with il in a practical manner as soon as
circumstances make il possible
Your eXcellency will have seen, never
theless, how the announcement OF this
concurrence of views has been received.
THE insurgents, elated by the strength
which they have acquired through the aid
of a certain number Of citizens Of the
United States have CONTEMPORARY re-
PEELED, by the mediums of the Cubans re-
siding in this republic, any idea that the
government of Washington can intervene
in the contest, by advice or any other
manner, on the suppositon that the dec
larations of disinterestedness on the part
of the government of the United States are
false, and that ii wishes to get possession
of the island one of these days Hence,
it is evident that no success would attend
such possible mediation, which they re-
peal, even admitting that the mother
country would condescend TO treat with
it's rebellious subjects as one power with
another, thus surely jeopardizing its fu-
ture authority, detracting from its nation
al dignity and impairing its independence
for which it has at all tines shown such
great earnestness, as history teaches. In
brief, there is no effectual way to pacify
Cuba, unless il begins with the actual sub
mission of the armed rebels to the mother
country"
The remaining portions of Senior de
Lome's letter were read by Mr. Foraker
in the Senate Wednesday,, and were in
cluded in these dispatches at the time
Following the offer by Secretary Olney
of mediation by the United States, officers
of the Cuban junta were quoted as re-
jecting Intervention on the lines suggest
ed. The Spanish minister's statement
that the insurgents. through their agents
in the United States, contemptuously re-
PEELED Intervention refers to this attitude
assumed BY the junta.
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