Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1897-12-10
rhe prospeot from time 20 time chad


ment might lead 60 the transfer OF Cuba
TO continental power called forth be.
tween 1928 and 1850 various emphatic
declarations OF the policy Of the United
States to permit no disturbance Of Ou-
ba's connection with Spain unless In
the direction Of independence or acQui.
sition by rs through purchase; nor has
there been any change Of this declared
policy since upon the part OF the govern.
ment.
The present instruction broke out In
February, 1885. 10 10 not my purpose
at this time to recall It's remarkable In.
crease or to characterize Its tenacious
resistance against the enormous forces
mAssed against 10 by Spain. The revolt
and the effortss 10 subdue II carried do.
strucsion to every quarter OF the island.
developing wide proportions and defy
ing the efforts OF Spain for Its suppress.
sion. The civilized code was regarded
no less so by the Spaniards than by the
Oubans.
The existing conditions cannot but
Ill this governments aud the American
people with che gravest apprehension.
There Is no desire on the part OF our
people TO profit by the misfortunes Of
Spain. We have only the desire to see
the Cubans prosperous and contented.
enjoying that measure OF self control
which IL the inalienable right Of man.
protected In their right to reap the ben.
eft of the exhaustless treasures OF their
country.
The cruel policy Of concentration was
initiated Feb. 10. 1885. The productive
districts controlled by the Spanish ar.
mics were depopulated. The agricult-
ural inhabitants were herded In and
about the garrison towns. their lands
laid waste aud their dwellings de-
stroyed. This policy OF the late cabinet
of Spain was justified rs necessary
measure OF war aud ms means Of cut.
ting off supplies from the insurgents.
1t has utterly failed as war measure.
1t was not civilized warfare. IL was
determination.
Against this abuse Of the rights OF
war. l have felt constrained on re.
psated occasions to enter the firm aud
earnest protest OF this government.
There was much Of public condemna.
ton of American citixsns by alleged
arrests and long imprisonment. await.
ing trial or pending judicial proceed.
ings. felt it my first duty TO make
Instant demands for the release or
speedy trial Of all American citizens
under arrest Before the change Of the
5paish cabinet In October last ~ pris-
oners, citizens OF the United States. had
been given their freedom.
Mr.. woodford's Instructions.
The instructions given TO our new
minister TO Spain before his departure
for his post directed him TO impress
upon that governments the sincere wish
Of the United States to lend It's aid TO.
ward the ending of the war In Cuba by
reaching q peaceful and lasting result,
Just and honorable alike TO Spain aud
TO the Cuban people. ..
The reply TO our note was received on
Oct. "a Il Ia Ia the direction OF bet.
ter understanding. IL appreciates the
friendly purposes OF this govern ment.
IL admits shat 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 aud pacify Cuba within
h reasonable time. TO this end Spain
has decided TO put into effect the politi.
cal reforms heretofore advocated by the
present premier without hating for
any consideration III the path which. in
its Judgment. leads to peace. The mil.
itary operations. IL Is said. will con.
tinue, bus will be humane and con.
Quoted with all regard for private
rights. being accompanied by political
action leading to the autonomy Of Cuba,
while guarding Spanish sovereignty.
This. IL Ia claimed, will result In invest
ing Cuba with distinct personality;
she island to be governed by an execu.
tive aud by q local council or chamber.
reserving TO Spain the control Of the
foreign relations. the army aud navy
and the judicial administration. To ac.
complish this the present government
proposes to modify existing legislation
BY decree. leaving che Spanish cortss.
with the mid OF Cuban senators and dep
utiss, TO solve she economic problem
and properly distribute the existing
debt
In the absence Of q declaration OF the
measures that the governments proposes
to take in carrying out its prefer OF
good offices IL suggests that Spain be
left free 20 conduct military operations
aud grant political reforms. while the
United States for It's part shall enforce
les neutral obligations and cut Of the
assistance which 10 is asserted the insur.
gents receive from this country. The
superstition Of al indefinite prolon CATION
Of the war Is denied. II Is asserted that
the western provinces are already we'll
nigh reclaimed; that the planting OF
tobacco therein has been resumed and
that by force Of arms and new aud am.
pacifoasion 10 hoped for.
Discussion Of the question OF interna-
tional duties aud responsibilities Of the
United States as Spain understands
them Is presented with an apparent dis.
positiou TO charge us with failure in this