The Portland daily press., 1897-12-07

protected in their right to reap the hene.
tit Of the exhaustless treasures of their
country. The offer made by nv nrede.
cessor in April, 1896, tenderindp the
friendly offices OF this government failed.
ANY mediation on our part was not ac.
"There is no effectual way to paoifv Gmha
unless it begins with the actual sJ,bn1is-
sion of the rebels to the mother coun
try"
Then only could Spain act in the nrom-
ised direction, OF her own motion and
after her own plans.
The cruel policy Of concentration was
initiated February 16, 1896. The pro-
duotive districts controlled by the Snan-
ish armies we're depopulateti. The asri- Ipsl'i
cultural inhabitants were herded in and
about the garrison towns, their lands
laid waste and their dwellings DESTROYED,
This policy the late cabinet of Spain ius-
titled as q necessary measure of war and
as a means of cutting off supplies from
the insurgents. 1t has utterly failed as
a war measure 1t was not civilized war
fare. 1t was determination.
Against this abuse of the rights of war
have felt constrained on repeated oc-
casions to enter the firm and earnest
protest of this government.
There was public condemnation of the
treatment of American citizens by alleged
illegal arrests and long Imprisonment
awaiting trial or pending protracted
judicial proceedings. | felt it my first
duty to make instant demand for the re.
zens under arrest. Before the change of
the Spanish cabinet in October last,
twenty-five prisoners, citizens of the
United States. had been given their free
dom.
For the relief of our own citizens,
suffering because of the conflict the order
of Congress was sought in special mes
sage and under the appropriation of
April 4, 1897, effective aid has been given
to American citizens in Cuba. and many
of them at their own request been re-
turned to the United States.
The Instructions given to our new min
lister to Spain before his departure for his
post, directed him to impress upon that
government the sincere wish of the United
States to lend aid toward the ending of
the war in Cuba by reaching peaceful
and lasting result, just and honorable
alike to Spain and the Cuban people.
These instructions recited the character
and duration of the contest, the wide
spread losses it entails, the burdens and
restraints it imposes upon us, with con-
stant disturbance of national interests and
the injury resulting from an indefinite
continuance of this state of things 1t
WAS stated that at this juncture our gov
ernment was constrained to seriously in
quire if the time was not ripe when
Spain, of her own volition, moved by her
own interests and every sentiment of hui
manity should put a stop to this destr uc-
tive war and make proposals of settle
ment honorable to herself and Just to her
Cuban colony. 1t WAS urged that as a
neighboring nation, with large interests
in Cuba, we could be required to wait
o,,lx 10 e., +ln +Lox,
country to establish it's authority and re-
store peace and order within the borders
of the island; that we could not contem-
plate an definite period for the accom-
plishment of this result
No solution was proposed to which the
slightest idea of humiliation to Spain
could attach, and indeed the precise pro.
posals were withheld to avoio embarrass-
ment to that government. All that was
asked and expected was that some safe
way might be speedily provided and perm
anent peace restored. 1t SO chsnced that
the consideration of this offer, addressed
to the same Spanish administration
which had declined the tenders of my
predecessor and which for more than two
years had poured men and treasure into
Cuba in the fruitless effort to suppress
the revolt-fell to others. Between the
departure OF General Woodford, the new
envoy, and his arrival in Spain, the
statesman who had shaped the policy of
his country fell by the hand of 8n assas
sin, and although the cabinet of the late
premier still held office and received
from our envoy the proposals he bore, the
cabinet gave place within few days
thereafter to a new administration under
the leadership of Sagasta.
Tha reply to our note was received on
the 23rd of October. 1t is in the direction
of better understanding. 1t appreciates
the friendly purposes of this government.
1t admits that our country is deeply
affected by the wars in Cuba, and that it
desires for peace are just. 1t declares that
the present Spanish government is bound
by every consideration to u change of poll
10y that should satisfy the United States
and pacify Cuba within a reasonable
time. To this end Spain has decided to
put into effect the political reforms here
tofore advocated by the present premier,
without haltjng for any consideration in
the path which in its Judgment leads to
peace. The military operations, it is
said, will continue, but will be humane
and conducted with all regard for private
rights, being accompanied by political ac-
tion leading to the autonomy of Cuba,
while guarding Spanish sovereignty
This, it is claimed, will result in invest
ing Cuba with distinct personality, the
island to be governed by an executive and
by local council or chamber, reserving
to Spain the control of the foreign rela-
tions, the army and navy and the judi
cial administration. TO accomplish this
the present government proposes to mod
ify existing legislation by decree, leav.
ing the Spanish Cortes, with the aid of
Cuban senators ana deputies, to solve
the economic problem and properly dis
tribute tins existing debt In the
absence of declaration of the
measures that this government proposes
to take in carrying out its proffers of
good offices, it suggests that Spain be
left free to conduct military operations
and grant political reforms while the
United States, for its part, shall enforce
it's neutral obligations and cut off the as
sistance which it is asserted the insur-
gents receive from this country. The
supposition of an indefinite prolongation
of the war is denied. 1t is asserted that
the Western provinces are already we'll
nigh reclaimed; that the planting of cane
and tobacco therein has been resumed,
and that by force of arms and new and
ample reforms very early and complete
pacification is hoped for.
The immediate amelioration Of exist.
ing conditions under the new administra-
tion of Cuban affairs is predicted, and
Herewith all disturbance and all occasion
for any cha &c of attitude ON the part