The Advocate and news., 1897-12-08

less II begin with the actual submission OF the
rebels 90 the mother" Then only could Spain
act I'm the promised direction OF her own mo-
tion and after her own plans. The cruel policy
OF concentration was initiated February l6
1896 The productive districts controlled by
the Spanish armies were depopulated and the
agricultural inhabitants were herded In and
about the garrlsOned towns, their land laid
waste and their dwellings destroyed This policy
OF the late cabinet OF Spain was justified as
necessary measure OF war and as means OF
cutting of supplies from the insurgents 1t
has utterly failed as war measure. II was
not civilized warfare, II was extermnation.
Release OF American Prisoners.
Against this abuse Of the rights Of war l have
felt constrained on repeated occasions to enter
the firm and earnest protest Of this govern
ment There was much Of public condemna-
tion Of the treatment Of American citizens by
alleged illegal arrests and long imprisonment
awaiting trial or pending protracted judicial
procedure | 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
special message, and under the appropriation
Of April 4, 1897 effective aid has been given TO
American citizens in Cuba. Many of them, at
their own request have been returned to the
United States
or the untried measures there remain only:
Recognition OF the insurgents rs belligerents;
recognition Of the independence OF Cuba; neu-
tral intervention to end the war by imposing
rational compromise between the contestants
and intervention in favor Of one or the other
party. speak not Of forcible annexation for
that cannot be thought Of That, by our code
Of morality would be criminal aggression.
Recognition Now Deemed Unwlse.
The enforcement OF this enlarged and Oner-
Gus code OF neutrality would only be influential
within our own jurisdiction by land and sea
and applicable by our own instrumentalitY. II
could impart to the United States no iurlsdic-
tion between Spain and the insurgents II
would give the United States no right Of inter-
vention to enforce the conduct OF the strife
within the paramount authority Of Spain 40
cOrdlng to the international code Of war For
these reasons l regard the recognition Of the
beligerency Of the Cuban insurgents as now
unwise and therefore inadmlssible. Should
that step hereafter be deemed wise as meas
ure OF right and duty the executive will take It,
been frequently suggested and has not failed
to receive my most anxious and earnest con-
sideraton. But should such a step be now
taken when It is apparent that hopeful change
has supervened in the policy OF Spain toward
Cuba? new government has taken ONCE in
the mother country. 1t is pledged In advance
to the declaration that oil the effort In the
world cannot suffice TO maintain peace In Cuba
by the bayonet; that vague promises OF reform
after subiugation afford no solution OF the
insular problem; that with substitution Of
commanders must come change OF the past
system OF warfare for one In harmony with
new policy which shall no longer aim to drive
the Cubans TO the horrible alternative OF
taking to the thicket or succumbing In misery"
that reforms must be instituted In accordance
with the needs and circumstances Of the time
and that these reforms, while designed TO give
full autonomy to the colony and TO create
virtual entity and self-cOntrolled administra-
tiOn shall yet conserve and affirm the sover-
eighty OF Spain by just distribution OF pow
ers and burdens upon basis OF mutual inter-
est untanted by methods OF selfish expediency.
The Near Future Will Tell.
Not single American citizen Is now under
arrest or In confinement In Cuba. OF whom this
government has any knowledge. The near
future will demonstrate whether the indls-
pensable condition OF righteous peace, Just
alike to the CubanS and TO Spain as well ss
equitable to all our interests so intimately In
Volved in the welfare OF Cuba, is likely to be
attained II not the exigency Of further and
other action by the United States will remain
10 be taken When that time comes that action
will be determined IN the line OF indis-
putable right and duty. 1t viii be faced with
out migivings or hesitancy In the light OF the
obligation this government owes to itself to
the'people who have conflded to II the protection
Of their interests and honor, and to humanity
Hawaiian Annexation.
BY special message dated the 18th day OF
June last, laid before the senate treaty
signed that day by the plenipOtentiaries OF the
United States and of the republic Of Hawaii
having for It's purpose the incorporation Of the
Hawaiian islands as an integral part OF the
United States, and under It's sovereignty. The
senate having removed the injunction Of Sc
crecy, although the treaty Is still pending be-
fore that body the subject may be properly re-
Ierred to in this message because the necessary
action OF the congress is required to determine
| n II, NJ ha