The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1897-12-16

1
Secretary cages Plan.
The secretary OF the treasury has outlined n
| plan In great detail for the purpose OF remov-
ing the threatened recurrence OF depleted
gold reserve and save US from future cmbar-
rassment on that account TO this plan l in
vite your careful consideration. I concur with
the secretary OF the treasury In his recommen-
dalton that national banks be allowed 20 issue
notes to the face value OF the bonds which they
deposited for circulation. and that the tax on
circulating notes secured by deposit OF such
| bonds be reduced 20 one-half OF one per cent
per annum also join him in recommending
| that authority be given for the establishment
| OF national banks with minimum capital OF
| $4,000 This will enable the smaller villages
and agricultural regions Of the country TO be
| supplied with currency TO meet their needs.
recommend that the issue OF national bank
notes be restricted TO the denominat OF $40
and upwards II the suggestions have herein
made shall have the approval OF congress then
| would recommend that national banks be re-
qulred to redeem their notes in gold
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
| The most important problem with which
| this government Is now called TO deal, pertain
| ing to It's foreign relations, concerns its duty
toward Spain and the Cuban insurrec,ion.
| Problems and conditions more or less In com
mon with those now existing have confronted
| this government at various times In the past
| The story OF Cuba for many years has been ON,
|
u larger enjoyment OF liberty and self-control.
| of organized resistance to the mother country; /;
OF depression after distress and warfare and
| OF Intellectual settlement to be followed by re-
nowed revolt For no enduring period since
| the enfranchisement of the continental possess
sion OF Spain In the western continent has the
condition of Cuba. or the policy OF Spain to-
ward Cuba not caused concern to the United
States
The War In Cuba.
| ary, 1893 1t Is not my purpose ut this time to
| recall its remarkable increase or to character
| ize its tenacious resistance against the enor-
nous forces massed against It by Spain. The
| revolt and the efforts to subdue II carried de-
struction To every quarter OF the island, devel-
| opng wide proportions and defying the efforts
| of Spain for It's suppression The civilized
code OF war has been disregarded, no less 30 by
| the Spdniards than by the CubanS The exist
ing conditions cannot but fill this government
aud the American people with the gravest ap-
| prehonsion. There is no desire on the part OF
our people TO profit by the msfortunes OF
| Spain We have only the desire to see the
Cubans prosperous and contented, enjoying
that measure Of self-control which is the in
| alienabe right OF man, protected In their right
to reap the benefit OF the exhaustlcss treasures
| OF their country.
! The offer made by my predecessor in April
1898, rendering the friendly offices OF this gov
ernment failed Any mediation our part
was not accepted. In brief the answer read: :
| There Is no effcctual way to pacfy Cuba un-
| less 1t begin with the actual submission OF the
rebels TO the mother" Then only could Spain
act in the promised direction of her own mo-
| tion and after her own plans. The cruel policy
| OF concentration was Initiated February 10,
| 1896 The productive districts controlled by
| the Spanish armies were depopulated and the
agricultural inhabitants were herded in and
| about the garrsoned towns. their land laid
waste and their dwellings destroyed. This policy
OF the late cabinet OF Spain was justified as u
| necessary measure Of war and Us u means OF
| cutting on supplies from the insurgents 1t
| has utterly failed as u war measure. IL was
not civilized warfare 1t was determination.
Release OF American Prisoners.
! Against this abuse OF the rights OF war have
| felt constrained on repeated occasions to enter
| the firm and earnest protest OF this govern
| ment There was much OF public condemna-
| ticn OF the treatment OF American citizens by
alleged Illegal arrests and long Imprisonment
| awaiting trial or pending protracted judicial
procedure. l felt IL my first duty to make in
stant 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 freedom. For the relief
| OF our own citizens suffering because OF the
conflict. the aid OF congresses was sought In u
| special message, and under the appropriation
| OF April a. 1897. effective aid has been given to
their own request have been returned to the
| United States
Instructions to Our Minister.
The instructions given TO our minister TO
Spain before his departure for his post directed
| him to Impress upon that government the sin
| cere wish of the United States to lend its aid
toward the ending OF the war in Cuba by reach
| ing 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
/ 10 entails the burdens and restraints II imposes
! upon us. with constant 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 seriously inquire II the
time was not ripe when Spain. OF her own
| yOlition, moved "y her own interests
/ and every sentims ~ ~ humanity, should put a
stop TO this destrG". ave var and make proposals
OF settlement honorSp pu 20 herself and just to
/ her Cuban colony. Ii fls urged that as a
| netghboring nation, wiIh large interests in
Cuba. We could be required TO wait only rea-
snnable time for the mother country to establish
/ It's authority and restore peace ana order
| within the borders OF the island; that we could
| not contemplate an indefinite period for the
| accomplishment OF this result No solution
was proposed TO which the slightest idea OF
! humiliation TO Spain could attach, and indeed
precise proposals were wi hheld to avoid en-
oarraSsment TO that government All that was
asked or expected was that some safe way
might be speedily provided and permanent
! peace restored
Rspiy to Oar Note.
The reply to our note was received on the
/ Esd day OF October Ii is In the direction OF u
better understanding ItappreciateS the friend
| ly purposes OF this government II admits
| that our country is deeply affected by the war
| in Cuba and that its desires for peace are just
| IL declares that the present Spanish govern
ment is bound by every consideration to a
change OF policy that should satisfy the United
| States and pacity Cuba within reasonable
time To this end Spain has decided to put into
| effect the political reforms heretofore advocat-
| ed by the present premier, without halting for
| any consideration in the path which In its Judg-
ment leads TO peace The military operations,
| Il Is said win continue. but will be humane and
conducted with all regards tor private rights,
being accompanied by political action leading
to the autonomy of Cuba while guarding Span
ish sovereignty This, II is claimed, will result
in investing Cuba with distinct personality;
the island TO be governed by an executive and
by local council or chamber, reseryng tC
Spain the control OF the foreign relations, the
army and navy and judicial administration. TX
accomplish this the present government pro
poses TO modify legislation by decree, leaving
the Spanish eortes. with the aid OF Cuban sen
ators and deputies, to solve the eeonomi
problem and properly distribute the existing
debt
In the absence OF a declaration OF the meas