Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1897-12-16
THE CUBAN QUESTION.
The Time Not Ripe for Intervention
On Our Part.


The most important preD4em with which
this government Is now called upon TO deal
pertaining 10 its foreign relations concerns
rection. Problems and conditions more or
less IN common with those now existing
have confronted this government at vari-
Gus times in the past. The story of Cuba
foE many .Ss-tS mas heeU one OF unrest.
growing discomfort; an effort toward a
larger enjoyment of liberty and self-con-
troll; of organized resistance to the mother
country; of depression after distress and
warfare and of Intellectual settlement to he
followed by renewed revolt. For no endur-
ing period since the enfra nchisement of the
western continent has the condition OF
Cuba or the policy OF Spain toward Cuba
not caused concern to the United States
Inc prospect from time TO time that the
weakness of SPANS hold upon the island
and the political vicissitudes and embar-
lead TO the transfer of Cuba to a continent
tai power called forth. between iA2s p a
1850, various emphatic declarations of the
turbance of Cuha's connection with Spair
unless In the direction of independence or
has there been any change of this declared
policy since upon the part of the govern
Not Civilized Warfare.
The cruel policy of concentration was
initiated February 16, 1896. The productive
districts controlled by the Spanish armies
itants were herded in and about the gar
rlson towns, their lands laid waste and
their dwellings DESTROYED, This policy the
sary measure of war and as a means of cut
ting off SUPPLIES from the insurgents 1t has
utterly failed as a war measure. 1t was
i ton. ''''''1e' warfare II was eA's'n'"A-
Protests Entered.
Against this abuse of the rights of war
have felt constrained on repeated occa-
sions to enter the firm and earnest pro-
test OF this government. There was much
American citizens by alleged Illegal arrests
and long imprisonment awaiting trial or
pending protracted judicial proceedings.
mand for the release or speedy trial OF all
American citizens unS -rest. Before the
last q prisoners tizens Of the United
States, had been given their freedom. For
the relief Of our own citizens suffering he
sought IN a special message, and under
the appropriation of April 4, 1897, effective
aid has been given to American citizens In
Cuba, many Of them at their own request
having been returned to the United States.
The Present InsurrectiOn.
The present insurrection broke out in
time to recall its remarkable Increase. or
to characterize its tenacious resistance
anf f Gaeet mdss sea
efforts to subdue 1t carried destruction to
every quarter of the island, developing
of Spain for its suppression. The civilized
code of war has been disregarde6, no less
SO by the Spaniards than by the Cubans;
The existing conditions cannot but fill
this government and the American people
with the 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 is the in
alienable right of man, protected in their
right to reap the benefit Of the exhaustless
treasures of their country.
The offer made by my PREDECESSOR In
April, 1886. rendering the friendly offices
of this government failed. Any mediation
on our part was not accepted. In brief. the
answer read: There is no effectual way
to .pacify Cuba unless It begins with the
actual submission of the rebels to the
mother country" Then only could lpain
act in the promised direction of her own
motion and after her own plans.
Minister WoOdford's Instructions.
The instructions given to our new min
lister to spain before his departure for his
post directed him to impress upon that gov
eminent the sincere wish OF the United
States to lend its aid toward the ending
OF the war IN Cuba by reaching q peace
fui and lasting result, just and honorable
alike TO Spain and to the cuban people.
Those instructions recited the character
and duration of the contest, the widespread
1t imposes upon us, with constant dis
turbance of national interests and he in
jury resulting from an indefinite contIn-
uance Of this state of things. II was stated
that at this juncture our government was
constrained to seriously inquire If the time
was rot ripe when Spain of her own Volt
ton, moved by her own interests and every
sentiment of humanity, should put stop
to this destructive war and make pro-
posals of settlement honorable to herself
and just to her Cuban colony. 1t was urged
shat as neighboring nation, with large in
tereSts in Cuba, we could be required to
wait only a reasonable time for the mother
country to establish its authority and re-
that we could not contemplate an indefi-
mite period for the accUlnpIanlliei -.
result.
No Humiliation Suggested.
c0lNf -
slightest idea of humiliation to Spain
could attach, and indeed precise proposals
were sh %Inngig 70 aV0ln ethe o to
or expected was that some safe way might
be speedily provided and permanent peace
alton of this offer, addressed to the same
Spa nish administration which had declined
the tenders of my predecessor, and which
and treasure into Cuba in the fruitless eff.
fort to suppress the revolt fell to others.
Spain Promises Much.
The reply to our note was received on the
2Sd day of October. 1t is in the direction of
a better understanding. 1t appreciates the
friendly purposes of this government. Ii
admits that our country is deeply affected
by the war In Cuba, and that its desires
for peace are just. 1t declares that the
every consideration to a change Of policy
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 heretofore ad-
vocated by the present premier without
hating for any consideration in the path
which in its judgment leads to peace The
military operations 1t as said viii continue
but will be humane and conducted with All
regard for private rights, being accom-
panied by political action leading to the
autonomy of Cuba while guarding Spanish
sovereignty. This, 1t is claimed, viii result
in investing CUBA with a distinct person.
ality; the island to be governed by an ex-
ecutive and by local council or Chamber
reserving to Spain the control of the for,
elgn relations, the army and navy and the
judicial administration To accomplish
this the present government proposes to
modify existing legislation by decree leaV-
ing the Spanish oortes, with the aid of
Cuban senators and deputies, to solve the
economic problem ana properly distribute
the existing debt. In the absence Of a
declaration Of the measure that this gov
eminent proposes to take in carrying out
its proHer OF good Offices it suggests tina
spain be left tree 70 conduct military
operations ana grant political reforms,
while the United States for it's part. shall
enforce it's neutral obligations and cut on
the assistance which it is asserted the in
surgents receive from this country. The
snppusitlUn oI an indefinite prolongation of
the war is denied II is asserted thai the
western provinces ire already welI-nigh re-
f,tF44 ina r4rg