The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-12-11
TnE cunAN auEsTIoN.
The Time Not ripe for Intervention
on Our pnrf.

| this government Is now called upon 10 deal
| it's duty toward Spain and the Cuban insur-
| rcction Problems and conditions more or
less In common with those now existing
Gus times In the past. The story OF Cuba
LOT many .s-fs mas been one 81 unrest
growing dsiSeonsent an sfrort toTsrd
troll; OF organized resistance 20 the mother
country; OF depression after distress and
warfare and OF Intellectual settlement 10 be
| followed by renewed revolt. For no endur-
Ing period since the cnfranchisement OF the
continental possessions OF spain IN the
Cuba or the policy OF Spain toward cuba
not caused concern 10 the United States
weakness Of spain's hold ,Ipon the island
and the political yicissitudes and embar-
easements OF the home government might
/ lead 70 the transfer OF Cuba 10 continent
/ tai power called forth. between 1872 nrf
1860 various emphatic declarations OF the
policy OF the United States 70 permit no dis
unless In the direction OF independence or
/ acqulsluon BY us through purchase; nor
policy since upon the part OF the govern
Not Civilized warfare.
TIE cruel policy OF concentration was
districts controlled By the spanish armies
were depopulated The agricultural inhab-
itants we're herded In and about the gar
rlson towns. their lands laid waste and
their dwellings destroyed, This policy the
late cabinet OF Spain JUSTIFIED as a neces-
sary measure OF war and as means Of cut
| ting or SUPPLIES from the insurgents. II has
utterly failed as n war measure. II was
not civilized warfare. II was extermina-
Protests Entered.
Against this abuse Of the rights OF war
/ have felt constrained on repeated occa-
sions 10 enter the firm and earnest pro-
test OF this government, There was much
OF public condemnation OF the treatment OF
American citizens by alleged illegal arrests
and long imprisonment awaiting trial or
pending protracted judicial proceedings. /
felt II my first duty 10 make instant de-
American citizens under arrest. Before the
change OF the Spanish cabinet ~ october
last p prisoners, citizens or the united
states, had been given their freedom, For
the relief Of our own citizens suffering be-
cause OF the conflict the aid 81 congress was
sought In special message and under
the appropriation OF April Z. 1897, effective
aid has been given 20 American citizens ~
cuba. many on them az their own request
having been returned 20 the United states.
The Present InSurrection
The present insurrection broke out IN
February, 1896. IL Is not my purpose az THIS
time TO recall It's remarkable increase, or
20 characterize It's tenacious resistance
against Il by Spain. The revolt and tho
efforts 10 subdue IL carried destruction 20
every quarter or the island, developing
OF Spain for lis suppression. The civilized
code Of war has been d.sregarded, no less
The existing conditions cannot but M
this government and the American people
with the gravest apprehension. There IS
no desire on the part Of our people 20
profit by the misfortunes OF Spain. We
have only the desire 10 see the Cubans
prosperous and contented enjoying that
measure or self control which rs the in
allenable right OF man, protected IN their
right 20 reap the benefit OF the eXhaustless
treasures Of their country.
The offer made by my PREDECESSOR IN
April lSyo, rendering the friendly offices
of this government failed. Any mediation
on our part was not accepted. IN brief, the
answer read; There Is no effectual way
10 pacify cuba unless IL begins with the
actual submission OF the rebels to the
mother country" Then only could pain
aot Ia the promised direction OF her own
motion and after her own plans,
Minister Moodford's instructions.
The Instructions given to our new min
lister 10 spain before his departure for his
post directed him 20 impress upon that gov
eminent the sincere wish Of the United
states 10 lend its aid toward TIE ending
Of the war IN Cuba by reaching a peace
ful ana lasting result, just and honorable
alike 70 spain ana 70 the cuban people.
Those instructions recited the character
and duration Of the contest. the widespread
losses II entails, the burdens and restraints
Il Imposes upon US, with constant dis
turbanCe OF national interests and the In
jury resulting from an indeiinite contin-
uance OF this state OF things IL was stated
that at this JunCture our government was
constrained 10 seriously inquire II tho time
WAS not ripe when Spain Of her own Volt
ton, moved by nel own interests ana every
sentiment Of humanity, should put stop
TO this destructive war and make proc
posals OF settlement honorable 20 herself
and lust to her Cuban colony. IL was urged
that as ncighboring nation, with large In
torcsts IN cuba, we could be required 70
wait ohly ltNs9nabie une LOT the mother
store order within the borders OF the island:
that we could not contemplate an inden-
mite period for the Accomplishment 81 ttlA
result.
No Humiliation Suggested
No solution was proposed to which the
slightest idea OF humiliation 10 Spain
could attach, and indeed precise proposals
were Withheld 20 avoid embarrassment to
that government All that was asked
or expected was that some safe way might
be speedily provided and permanent peace
restored. III 80 CHANGED that the consider
alton Of this offer. addressed TO the same
Spanish ADMINISTRATION which had declined
for more than two years had poured men
and treasure into Cuba In the fruitess ef-
fort 10 suppress the revolt fell TO others.
spain Promises Much.
The reply 10 our note was received on the
23d day OF October. IL Is la the direction OF
a better understanding. IL appreciates the
friendly purposes Of this government IL
admits that our country Is deeply affected
by the war IN Cuba, and that It's desires
for peace are just IL declares that the
present Spanish government Is bound by
every consideration 10 a change OF policy
that should satisfy the United states and
pacify Cuba within a reasonable time
effect the political reforms heretofore add
vocuted BY the present premier without
hating for any Consideration la the path
which ~ us Judgment leads 20 peace. The
military operations IL IL said viii continue
but viii be humane and conducted with All
regard Tor private rights being accom-
panied by political action leading TO the
autonomy Of cuba while guarding spanish
sovcrtignty. This, II Is claimed VIII result
IN investing Cuba with distinct person.
atty; tho island 20 be governed by an eX.
cCutiNe ana by a local council on chamber
rcserNinR TO Spain the control OF the for
cigu relations, the army ana navy and tho
judicial administration. To accomplish
TINS the present government proposes 10
modify existing legislation by decree. leav-
Ing the spanish Cortca, with the ala OF
Cuban senators and deputies, 10 solve the
economic problem ana property uiatrIhute
the existing debt. In the absence OF a
declaration OF the measure that this pov-
eminent proposes 70 take al carrying out
It's prOucr OF good offices IL SUGGESTS that
spain DE left free 10 conduct military
operations ana grant political reforms
while the United states, for is part. shall
enforce It's neutral obligations aud cut oil
the assistance which IL u.s. asserted the in
surgcnts receive from this country The
uHIH.f II Iftft s4F nm IH..I.