The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-20
FROM SECRET ARCHIVES.
Extracts from Lees Report and Oh
ney's and DE LOme's Papers.


ncy's and DE LOme's Papers.
WASHINGTON, May 19-The secret
archives of the State Department which
have held the consular reports on the Gu
ban from the public were partly dis
closed to-day by Senator Foraker, of Ohio.
During the past week the debate in the
Senate has been pregnant with intinations
and innuendoes of reports from United
States officials in Cuba held at the State
Department which, if published, would dis
close condition on Cuban soil that would
influence public opinion in a decided man
ner. The facts, therefore, which Senator
Foraker announced. without stating from
whom they came, created a decided sensa-
ton. Especially startling was the letter
from Secretary Olney in which this country
offered mediation to Spain and the refusal
of that country to accept the proffered aid.
While one of the consular reports was read
without the name of the author being dis
closed. it is stated to be a communica-
ton from Consul General Lee which fully
sets forth his idea of the condition that
exists in Cuba. The extract was quoted as
follows, no date being given;
Il cannot understand the truth of the
claim that all the provinces of the island
are pacitied except that of Santiago de
Cuba because there are more insurgents
under arms at this time than at the period
when L first reached the island, some ten
months ago, and / do not think 1t a fair
inference TO draw from existing conditions
that the war is approaching termination,
because, In pursuance of an established pol
ICY the insurgents avoid as far as possible
all serious engagements. The impossibility
of expelling the Spanish troops from this
island by force of arms is We'll known to
them and they do not propose to risk the
lives of their and the success of their
cause on one or more pitched battles /
conclude therefore. that the war will drag
o. CO limo lG hn in
surgents can dig sustenance from the
ground on the one side or money be OBJ
talned by the other, with the continued
suit Of untold human suffering, loss of hui
man life, the murder of innocent men,
women and children by both sides and the
trightful havoc which disease makes in the
ranks of the soldiers, particularly among
the unacclimated Spaniards. The poverty
and distress of the people are increasing
and the loss of property of all sorts daily
becoming more enormous. No one can full
" appreciate the situation without being
here in person The number of poor uis-
tressed, starving women, children and old
men of all races have greatly increased in
this city within the past few weeks. while
at other points on the island the suffering
has been proportionately greater"
OLNEY'S 4ETTER TO DE LONE.
The letter from Secretary Olney to Span
ish Minister De LONE under date of April
4, 1896. is the one in which intervention is
suggested In opening, Mr.. olney said:
1t might well be deemed dereliction OF
ONAN ~ NilG government Oh the Onlleu
States as well as censurable want of can
dor to Spain If l were longer TO defer Off
cial expression as we'll of the anxiety with
Which the President regards the existing
situation in Cuba as of his earnest desire
for the prompt and permanent pacification
of that island Any plan giving reasona BILE
assurance of that result and not incon-
sstent with the just rights and reasonable
demands Of all concerned would be earnest
~ promoted by him by all means which the
Constitution and laws of this country place
at his disposal.
1T is now some nine or ter months since
the nature and prospects of the insurrec-
ton were first discussed between US. In eX-
PLANTATION Of its rapid and. up to that time,
quite unopposed growth and progress, you
called attention TO the rainy season which
from May or June until November rem
defs regular military operations imprac-
ucabie Spain was pouring such numbers
of troops into Cuba that your theory and
opinion that when they could be used in
an active campaign, the insurrectionswou
ne almost instantly suppressed, seemed
reasonable and probable. In this particular
you believed. and sincerely believed. that
the present inSurrection would offer most
marked contrast TO that which began in
1865, and which, being feebly encountered
with comparatively small forces prolonged
its life for upwards of ten years
1t is impossible TO deny that the expecta-
lions thus entertained by you in the sum-
mer and fall or 1895 and shared not merely
by all Spaniards, but by most disnter-
csted observers as we'll have been COM
pletely disappointed. The insurgents seem
To-Day 70 command larger part of the
island than ever before. Their men under
arms, estimated year ago at from 10000
10 20G0 are now conceded to be at least
two or three times as many. Meanwhile
their discipline has been improved and
their supply of modern weapons and equip
ments has been greatly enlarged. while the
mere fact that they have held out to this
time has given them confidence i'm their
own eyes and prestige with the world at
large. In short, II can hardly be questioned
that the Instruction, instead of being
quelled, is to-day more formidable than
ever and enters on the second year of its
existence with decidedly improved pros
poets Of successful results. Whether a con-
clifton Of things emitting the insurgents To
recognition as beiiigerents has yet been
brought about may, for the purpose of
the present communication, be regarded as
fMnaferial
Outside Of the towns still under Spanish
rule anarchy, 'lawlessness and terrorism
are rampant The result is a systematic
war upon the industries Of the island and
upon all means by which they are carried
on and whereas the normal annual product