The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-20
Foraker Divulges the Olney
Cuban Correspondence.
CREATES A GREAT STIR
SPANS FIAT-FOOTED REFUSAL
OF MEDIATION.
OLNEY'S URGENT LANGUAGE
Much of the Correspondence Given
Verbatim, Having II hus Far Lain
in the Archives Of the State
Department.

Department.
Washington, May 19.-The secret ar
chives of the State Department, which
have hid the consular reports on the Gu
ban war from the public, were partial
ly disclosed to-day by Senator Foraker,
of Ohio. During the past week the de-
bate in the Senate has been pregnant
with intimations and inuendOs of reports
from United States officials in Cuba,
held at the State Department, which,
if published, would disclose a condition
on Cuban soil which would influence pub
lie opinion in decided manner. The
facts therefore, which Senator Foraker
announced without stating from whom
they came, created decided stir. Es-
pecially startling was the letter from Sec
retary Olney. in which this country Of
fered mediation to Spain, and the refusal
of that country to accept the aid SO prof
fered.
While one of the consular reports was
read without the name of the author be-
ing disclosed, it is stated to be a COM
munication from Consul General Lee,
which fully sets forth his ideas of the con-
ditions that exist in Cuba.
The extract was quoted as follows, no
date being given:
81 cannot understand the truth Of the
claim that all the provinces of the island
are pacified except that of Santiago de
Cuba, because there are more insurgents
under arms at this time than when / first
reached the island some ten months ago,
and do not think it fair inference to
draw from existing conditions that the
war is approaching termination, be-
cause, in pursuance of an established
policy, the insurgents avoid as far as .ssccs
sfble all serious engagements.
THE impossihlity of expelling the
Spanish troops from this island by force
of arms is well known to, them, and they
do not propose to risk the lives OF their
men and the success of their cause upon
one or more pitched battles. conclude
therefore, that the war will drag its
weary length along so long as the insur-
gents can dig sustenance from the ground
on the one side, or money be obtained by
the other. with the continued result OF
untold human suffering, loss of human
life, the murder Of innocent men. women
and children by both sides and the fright
full havoc which disease makes in the
ranks of the soldiers, particularly among
the unacclimated Spaniards. The power
ty and distress of the people is daily in
creasing, and the loss of property of al
sorts daily becoming more enormous
No one can fully appreciate the situa
tin without being here in person. The
number OF the poor, distressed, starving
women and children of all races have
greatly increased in this city within the
past few weeks, while in other points OIL
the island the suffering has been proper
tionately greater"
The letter from Secretary Olney tG
Spanish Minister De LONE, under date
of April 4, 1896 is the one in which inter
vention is suggested. In opening, MIR
'Oiney said:
'It might we'll be deemed a derelictior
OF duty to the government of the United
States as well as censurable want OF
candor to Spain if / were longer to defer
official expression as well of the anxiety
with which the President regards the
existing situation in Cuba as Of his earn
est desire for the prompt and permanent
pacification of that island. Any plans
giving reasonable assurance Of that re-
suit and not inconsistent with the just
rights and reasonable demands OF all con.
cerned, would be earnestly promoted by
him by all means which the constitution
and laws OF this country place at his dis
posal.
''It is now some nine or ten months
since the nature and prospects of the in.
surrection were first discussed between
US. In explanation of its rapid, and up to
that time, quite unopposed growth and
progress, you called attention to the rainy
season which from May or June until
November, renders regular military Oper-
ations impractica BILE. Spain was pouring
bnv of sn%D C,,1,o 4
your theory and opinion that, when they
could be used in an active campaign, the
insurrection would be almost instantly
suppressed, seemed reasonable and proba-
bic. In this particular you believed and
sincerely believed that the present insur-
rection would offer a most marked con-
trast to that which began in 1868, and
which, being feebly encountered with
comparatively small forces, prolonged its
hfe Tor upwards OF ten years.
1t Is impossible to deny that the ex-
pectations thus entertained by you in the
summer and fall Of 1895 and shared not
merely by all Spaniards, but by most dis
interested observers as well. have been
completely disappointed. The insurgents
seem to-day to command larger part OF
the island than ever before. Their men
under arms, estimated a year ago at from
ten ITO twenty thousand, are now con-
ceded to be at least two or three times
as many. Meanwhile their discipline has
been improved and their supply of mo-
dern weapons and equipment has been
greatly enlarged while the mere fact rnat
they have held out to this time has CIV
en them confidence in their own eyes and
prestige with the world at large. In
short it can hardly be questioned that the
insurrection, instead Of being quelled is to-
day more formidable than ever, and en-