Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1897-12-11
NO ACTION FOR CUBA
Present Conditions DO Not Call for
IA Declaration of Belligerent
Rights.

The most important problem which
this government is now called upon TO
deal With-that pertaining TO its foreign
rplations-Concerns its duty toward Spain
and the Cuban insurrecton.
Problems and conditions more or less in
common with those now existing have
confronted this government at various
times in the past The story of Cuba for
many years has been one or unremlttlng
disContent an effort toward the larger en-
ioyment of liberty and of self-ContrOl, OF
organized resistance to the mother couh-
try; of depression and warfare, and OF
Intellectual settlement, to be followed by
renewed revolt. For no enduring period
since the enfranchisement of the CONT
mental possessions of Spain in the west
ern continent, has the condition of Cuba
or the policy of Spain toward Cuba not
caused concern to the United States.
The prospect, from time to time, that the
weakness of SPANS hold upon the island
ana the political vicissitudes and embar-
easements of the home government, might
lead to the transfer of Cuba to a CONT
Mental power, called forth between 1923
and 1860 various emphatic declara tons of
the policy of the United States to permit
no disturbance of Cuba's connection with
Spain unless in the direction of indepen-
dence or acquisition by the United States
through purchase; nor has there been
/ any change of this declared policy since
The revolution which began in 1868 last
ed for 10 years, despite the strenuous eff
ments to suppress it. Then, as now, the
government OF the United States testified
its grave concern and offered its aid to
put an end to the bloodshed in Cuba. The
/ overtures made by General Grant were
refused and the war dragged on, entailing
great loss of life and treasure, and in
+ creased injury to American interests, be-
sides throwing enhanced burdens of neu-
trality upon this government. In 1878
peace was brought about by the truce of
! Zanjon, obtained by negotia tons between
! the Spanish commander, Martini De Cam.
pos, and the insurgent leaders.
The Present Insurrection.
/ The present Instruction broke out IN
/ February, 1895. It is not my purpose at
this time to recall its remarkable increase
or to characterize it's tenacious resistance
AGAINST :. the S enormous forces massed
/ efforts to subdue 1t carried destructio to
| every quarter of the island, developing
wide proportions and defyingu the efforts
code of war has been disregardad no less
by the Spaniards than by the Cubans.
The existing conditions can not bui fl
this government and the Amarinot, ~ III, ~
with the graYest apprehension. i'berSH is
no desire on the part of our people to prof
it by the misfortunes of Spain We have
only the desire to see the Cubans nros
porous and contented enjoying thar mas,
ure of self-control which is the inalien9bIf
right OF man, protected in their riehf r.
. reap the benefit of the exhaustless fraos
! ures of their country. ''"'
The offer 7f6e made by my predecessor, in
! of this government failed and mediatior
on our part was not accepted. IN brief
the answer read: There is no effectua
| way to pacify Cuba, unless il begins ~
J the actual submission of the rebels 70 III,
mother country "
{ Then only could Spain act in the nrorp
5 ised direction o, OF her ,r own motion anc
: concentration was initiated FebruarIy ,G
: 1896. The productive districts contr3,,a'
It by the Spanish armies We're depopuIate,
4 and the agricultural inhabitarfs 49,
II herded in and about the garrison toyvns
r their lands laid waste and their dyyeliipa
lie destroyed. This policy the late ca hipse
he of Spain justified as a necessary n1eaeiir
5. of war and as means of cutting off s,1n
Is plies from the insurgents. 1t has utteri
is failed as war measure 1t was nor Civil
e lied warfare. 1t was extermination IVA
On Against this abuse of the rights 20
e | have felt constrained. on repeated " o "a
casions, to enter the firm and earnest &c 90
IS test OF this government, There was m M,