Evening journal., 1897-12-07

preston. The civilized code OF war has
been dsregarded no less so by the
Spanlards than by the Cubans
The existing conditions cannot but
FIJI this government and the American
people with the gravest apprehension.
There desire on the part Of our
people rroht by the misfortunes Of
Spain. We have only the desire to see
the Cubans prosperous and contented,
enjoying that measure of self control
which Is the inalenable right of man.
protected in their right to reap the
benefit Of the exhaustless treasures Of
their country. The offer made by my
predecessor I'm April, 1896 rendering the
| friendly Offices of this government, fall
/ ed. Any mediation on our part was not
accepted. In brief the answer read,
There is no effectual way to pacify
Cuba unless 1t begins with the actual
! submission of the rebels to the mother
country" Then only could Spain act
In the promised direction of her own
motion and after her own plans.
The cruel policy Of concentration was
initiated Feb 16, 1896. The productive
districts controlled by the Spanish ar
mics were depopulated; the agricul-
tural inhabitants were herded in and
about the garrison towns, their lands
laid waste and their dwellings destroy
ed
FAILURE OF REORGANIZATION.
This policy the late cabinet of Spain
justified as a necessary measure of war
and as means of cutting off supplies
from the insurgents. 1t has utterly
failed as n war measure. II was not
civilized warfare; il was determination
Against this abuse of the rights Of
war have felt constrained on repeated
occasions to enter the firm and earnest
protest of this government. There was
much Of public condemnation Of the
treatment of American citizens by al
legged Illegal arrests and long imprison-
ment, awaiting trial or pending pro-
tracted judicial proceedings. ! felt il
my first duty to make instant 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.
The instructions given to our new
minister TO Spain before his departure
for his post directed him TO impress up
on that government the sincere 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 honorable alike to Spain and TO the
Cuban people. These instructions re-
cited the character and duration of the
contest, the widespread losses It en-
tails the burdens and restraints 1t inn
poses upon us. with constant disturb
ance of national interests, and the in
jury resulting from an indefinite con-
tinuance of this state Of things. It was
stated that at this juncture our gov
ernment was constrained to seriously
inquire If the time was not ripe when
Spain. of her own volition, moved by
her own interests and every sentiment
of humanity, should put a stop to this
destructive war and make proposals OF
settlement honorable to herself and just
10 her Cuban colony.
It is urged that as a neighborine
nation with large interests in Cuba we
could be required to wait only a rea-
sonable time for the mother country &c
establish it's authority and restore peace
and order within the borders OF the is
land; that we could not contemplate az
indefinite period for the accomplish
ment Of this result.
NO SOLUTION PROPOSED.
No solution was proposed to which
the slightest idea of humiliation e
! Spain could attach, and indeed th'
precise proposals were withheld t
p avoid embarrassment to that govern
| ment. All that was asked or expected
was that some safe way might b.
e | speedily provided and permanent peac
r restored.
The reply to our note was received
- on Oct %. 1t is in the direction
I,tto, ,,,,IorefonIfpo appraof
e ates the friendly purposes of this gov
4 ernment 1t admits that our country
1 deeply affected by the war in Cuba an
s that its desires for peace are just.
n declares that the present Spanish gov
ernment is bound by every considera
tion to a change of policy that shoul
n satisfy the United States and pacif
Il Cuba within a reasonable time. To thi
=. end Spain has decided to put into effeC
a the political reforms heretofore advc
l., Gated by the present premier withou
n halting for any consideration in tn
% path which in its judgment leads I
ls peace. The military operations, it
q said. will continue, but will be human
I and conducted with all regard for pr
n vate rights, being accompanied by pc
II litical action leading to the autonom
le OF Cuba while guarding Spanish sovei
Be- eighty. This, IT is claimed, VIII fesu
T. in investing Cuba with a distinct pei
,- sonallty, the island to be governed b
,e an executive and by a local council {
$. chamber, reserving to Spain the ccntr
j. of the foreign relations, the army an
,e navy and the judicial administrator
"a To accomplish this the present govern
rnent proposes to modify existing legii
n lation by decree leaving the SPANS
IA cortes with the aid of Cuban senator
"a and deputies. to solve the econom
n- problem and properly distribute the e.
"a listing debt.
e. SPANS MODERATE REPLY.
ic In the absence of a declaration of Il
I'd measures that this government propos
u to take in carrying out its proffer
In good offices il suggests that Spain
c. left free to conduct military operation
or and grant political reforms, while Il
O. United States for IT'S part shall enforce i
he neutral obligations and cut of the a
slstance which IL is asserted the insu
6S gents receive from this country. III
u supposition of an indefinite prolong
ar tion of the war is denied. It is assert
as that the western provinces are alrea'
ed we'll nigh reclaimed, that the plantii
4 !.