Oregon union. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1897-1899, 1897-12-10
CUBA AND SPAIN.
Attitude of the Administration in
the Present Rebellion

|
Attitude of the Administration in
the Present Rebellion.
The most important problem with which
| this country is now called upon to DEAL
/ that pertaining to it's foreign rela4
| tions. concerns it's duty toward Spain and
| the Cuban insurrection. 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 of unrest; growing discomfort;
an effort toward the larger enjoyment of
| liberty and self-control: of organized re-
| sistance to the mother country; or oppres-
| sion and warfare and of Intellectual set
! tlement to be followed by renewed re-
| volt. For no enduring period since the
enfranchisement of the continental pos
sessions of Spain in the Western conti-
nent 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 Spains hold upon the
island and the political vicisstudes and
embarrassments of the home government
might lead to the transfer of Cuba to a
continental power called forth, between
1923 and 1860, various emphatic declara-
tions of the United States to permit no
disturbance of Cuba's connection with
Spain unless in the direction of independ-
ence acquisition by the United States
change of this declared policy since upon
the part of this government.
The revolution which began in 1868
lasted for 10 years, despite the strenuous
efforts of the successive peninsular gov
ernments to suppress it. Then, as now,
the government of the United States tes-
titled its grave concern and offered it's aid
to put end to bloodshed in Cuba. The
overtures made by General Grant were
refused, and the war dragged on, entail
| nd
increased injury to American interests,
besides throwing enhanced burdens of
neutrality upon this government. In 1878,
peace was brought about by the truce
of Zanjon, obtained by negotiations be-
tween the Spanish commander, Martinez
de Campos, and the insurgent leaders.
Civilized Code of War Disregarded.
The present insurrection broke out in
February, 1895. 1t is not my purpose, at
this time, to recall its remarkable increase
or to characterize its tenacious resistance
against the enormous forces massed
against it by Spain. The revolt and the
efforts to subdue it carried destruction to
every quarter of the island, developing
wide proportions and defying the efforts
of Spain for it's suppression. The civilized
code of war has been disregarded, no
less so by the SDaniards than by the
Cubans. The existing conditions cannot
but fill this government and the Ameri-
can people with the gravest aDprehen-
sion. 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 is the inalienable right of man,
protected in their right to reap the bene-
fit of the exhauStleSS treasures of their
country.
The offer made by my predecessor, in
April, 1896, rendering the friendly offices
of this government, failed, and media
tod tn,
brief, the answer read: There is no eff
fectual way to pacify Cuba, unless it be-
gins with the actual submission of the
rebels to the mother country. Then only
can Spain act in the promised direction
of her own motion and after her own
plans.
Concentration Is determination.
The cruel policy of concentration was
initiated February 16, 1885, The produc-
tive districts controlled by the Spanish
armies were depopulated and the agri-
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 justified
as a necessary measure of war and as
means of cutting off supplies from the
insurgents.
1t has utterly failed as war measure.
1t was not civilized warfare. 1t was ex-
termination.
Against this abuse of the rights of war
1 have felt constrained, on repeated oc-
casions to 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 ar
rests and long imprisonment awaiting
trial of pending protracted judicial pro-
cedures. I felt it my first duty to make
instant demand for the release or speedy
trial of all American citizens under ar
rest. Before the change of the Spanish
cabinet, in October. % prisoners, citizens
of the United States, had been given
their freedom.
For the relief of our own citizens suf
fering because of the conflict, the aid 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, have been
returned to the United States.
Instructions to Minister Woodford.
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 its aid toward end
ing the war in Cuba, by reaching peace
full and lasting result. just and honor
able 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
restraint it imposes upon US, with con-
stant disturbance of national interests
and the injury resulting from an lnoennlte
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 IN
terests and every sentiment of humanity,
should put a stop to this destructive war
and make proposals of settlement honor
1tr,vr