Omaha daily bee., 1897-05-20
CORRESPONDENCE ON CUBA
Senator Foraker Delves Into Archives Of the
State Department
GIVES SENATE RESULT OF HIS RkssA2Ct
Text of Olney's Letter Proposing
Mediation To Spain, and De
Lome's Reply Declining the
Offer with Thanks.

WASHINGTON, May 19.-The secret arch
ives of the state department which have
held the consular reports on the Cuban
war from the public. we're partially disclosed
today by Senator Foraker of Ohio. During
the past week the debate in the senate has
been pregnant with intimations and inuen-
dcs of reports from officers in. Cuba, held at
the State department. which If published
would disclose condition on Cuban soil
which would influence public opinion in
decided marrer The facts, therefore, which
Senator Foraker announced without stating
from whom they came created a decided stir.
Especially startling was the letter from
Secretary Olney, In which this country
offered mediation to Spain and the refusal
of that country to accept the preferred aid
While one of the consular reports was
read without the name of the author being
disclosed. It is stated to be a communica-
tion from Consul General Lee, which fully
sets forth his ideas of the condition that
exists in Cuba The extract was quoted
as follows, no date being given:
cannot understand the truth of the
claim that all the provinces of the island
are pacitied except that of Santiago de
Cuba, because there are more insurgents
under arms at this time than at the period
l first reached the island, some ten months
ago, and l do not think 1t u fair inferenee
to draw from existing conditions that the
war is approaching termination, because
in pursuance of an established policy the
Insurgents avoid as far as possible all
serious engagements.
The impossibilty of expel,ing the Spanish
troops from this island by force of arms is
well known to them, and they do not pro-
pose 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 insurgents can dig susie
y,nf, frnf thn n
money be obtained with the other, with the
continued result of untold human suffering,
loss of human life the murder of limo innocent a15
the frghtful havoc which disease makes in
the ranks of soldiers, particularly among
the unacclimated Spaniards. The poverty
and distress of the people are increasing,
and the loss of property of all sorts is daily
becoming more enormous. No one can fully
appreciate the situation without being here
in person. The number of poor, distressed,
starving women, children and old men of
all races has greatly increased in this city
points on the island the suffering has been
proportionately great.
OLNEY TO DE LONE.
The letter from Secretary Olney to Span
ish Minister de Lone, under date OF April
4, 1896 is the one in which intervention is
suggested. In opening Mr. Olney said:
1t might be well deemed a derellction of
duty to the government of the United
States as well as censurable want OF
official expression well of the anxiety
with which the president regards the eX-
sting situation in Cuba, as of his earnest
cation of the island. Any plan giving rea-
sonabe assurance of that result and not
inconsistent with the just rights and rea-
sonable demands of all concerned would
be earnestly promoted by him by all means
which the constitution and laws of this
country place at his disposal.
1t is now some nine or ten months sipce
the nature and prospects of the insurrection
were first discussed between us In ex-
quite unopposed growth and progress, you
called attention to the rainy season, which
from May or June until November renders
regular military operations impracticable.
Spain was pouring such numbers of troops
when they could be used in an active cam
paign the insurrection would be almost in
stantly suppressed, seemed reasonable and
probable. In this particular you believed
and sincerely believed, that the present in
surrection would offer most marked con-
which, being feebly encountered with com
paratively small forces prolonged its life
for upward of ten years
DISAPPOINTED EXPECTATIONS.
1t is impossible to deny that the expecta-
tions thus entertained by you in the sum
mer and fall of 1896 and shared not merely
ested observers as we'll have been com
pletc.y disappointed. The insurgents seem
island island than nOte ever before. Their men under
arms, estimated year ago at from 10000
to 20000, are now conceded 10 be at least
two or three times as many. Meanwhile
their discipline has been improved and their
supply of modern weapons and equipment
fact that they have held out to this time
has given them confidence in their own eyes
| and prestige with the world at large, In
insurrection, instead of being quelled, is
| today more formidable than. ever and en-
| with decidedly improved prospects. of sue
cessful results. Whether a condition of
tom as begeens has e 5ee1 broasht
| about may, for the purpose of the present
communication, be regarded as immaterial.
other portions of this document were as
follows:
Even if it be granted that a condition
of insurgency prevails and nothing more 1t
is on so large scale and difused over so
extensive region, and is so favored by the
physical features of the climate of the
country that the authority of Spain Is sub
verted and the functions of its government
are in allegiance or practically suspended
throughout greater part of the island:
Spain still holds the seaports and most If
not all of the large towns In the interior.
Nevertheless, vast area of territory of the
island is in effect under the control of row.
Ing bands of insurgents, which If driven
from one place today by an exhibition OF
tomorrow when that force has moved on
for their dislodeement in other quarters,
The authority of Spain Is subverted and
the functions of its government are in
allegiance or practically suspended through
out n great part or the Island outside of
the towns still under Spanish rule anarchy,
law abuses and terrorism are present.
There is a systematic war on the industries
of the island and upon all means by which
they are carried on, and whereas the nor
NAL annual product of the island IL valued
at something like $50 100000 or 100000 OOO
its value for the present year Is estimated
by competent authorities at not exceeding
S20,00O,000.
HURTS CAPITAL.
Further on Mr. Olney calls attention to
the fact that capital is fast Withdrawing
from the island, frightened away by the
utter honelessness OF the outlook"
Why should II not be? What can a pru-
dent man foresee as the outcome of existing
conditions except the complete devastation
of the island. the entire annihilation of it's
Industries and the absolute lmpoverishment
of such of it's inhabitants as are unwise
enough or unfortunate enough not to sea-
sonably escape from II? 1t may well be
feared that Ii the present insurrection Is
to be of shorter duration than the last II
Will be because the end is to come sooner
or later through the inability of Spain to
prolong the conflict and through her aban-
donment of the island to the Heterogeneous
combination of elements and of races now
In arms against her.
Such a conclusion Mr. Olney said would
almost inevitably result in war of races
with the probable establishment OF white
| and black republic"
The situation thus described is of
great interest to the people OF the United
States. They are interested in any strus-
gle anywhere for freer political institutions
but necessarily and In special measure in
struggle that Is ru ging almost In sight CT