Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1897-12-14
THE CUBAN QUESTION.
The Time Not Ripe for Intervention
On Our Part.

have confronted this government at varf-
Gus times IN the past The story OF Cuba
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 ineffectuai settlement to be
followed BY renewed revolt For no endur-
ing period since the enfranchisement Of the
western continent has the condition of
Cuba or the policy OF Spain toward Cuba
The prospect from time to time that the
WEAKNESS Of SPANS hold upon the island
easements of the home government might
lead to the transfer Of Cuba to 4 continent
"a power called forth: tetWeer Is2s r"-
1850, various emphatic declarations OF the
policy Of the United States to permit no dis
turba nee of Cuha's connection wirh Spair
unless in the direction Of independence or
has there been any change Of this declared
polcy since upon the part Of the govern
Not Civilized Warfare.
The cruel policy of concentration was
Initiated February 16, 1896. The productive
asrs'Gts eontrollsd BY the spanish aFnss
stants were herded in and about the gar
rison towns. their lands laid waste and
late cabinet Of spain justified as a neces-
sary measure Of war and as means OF cut
ting off SUPPLIES from the insurgents It has
utterly failed as war measure 1t was
not civilized warfare. 1t was exteruina
ton
Protest. Entered
Against this abuse Of the rights Of war
l have felt constrained on repeated coca
sions 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 arrests
and long Imprisonment awaiting trial or
bending protracted judicial proceedings. I
nland for the release or speedy trial Of All
American citizens under arrest. Before the
change Of the Spanish cabinet in October
asst ~ prisoners, citizens Of the United
States. had been given their freedom. For
the relief Of our own citizens suffering be-
cause Of the conflict the aid of congress was
sought in a special message, and under
the appropriation Of April + 1897. effective
aid has been given to American citizens in
Suoa. many Of them at their own request
having been returned to the United states.
The Present lnsurrectiOn.
The present resurrection broke out in
February. 1895. 1t is not my purpose at this
time to recall its rema rkabls increase. Q:
2 the 5r forees
AGAINST it by spain The revo!: and the
efforts to subdue it carried destruction to
wide PROPORTIONS and defyins the Efforts
Of Spain for its suppression The civilized
code Of war has been d;srega rded; no less
The existing conditions cannot but fill
this government and the American people
with the gravH est spprehsn5on Tnese
profit by the misfortunes Of Spain We
have only the desire TO see the Cubans
measure Of self control which is the in
aIenable right Of man, protected in their
right to reap tae benefit OF the e1haustless
treasures OF their country.
Apr!l, 1896, teaueriuS the friendly offices
Of this government failed. Any media ton
On our part was not accepted. In brief, the
answer read: There is no efectual way
to pacify Cuba. unless it begins with the
mother coun1ry. Then i1 only yee could 20 pa i
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 TIE ending
Of the war IN Cura by reaching peace
tul and lasting result, just and honorable
alike TO Spain and to the cuban people.
Those instructions recited the character
ana duration OF the contest, the widespread
losses it entails, the burdens and restraints
IL imposes upon US, with constant dis
lurbance OF national interests and the in
jury resulting from an indefinite contIn-
uan':e vi THIS state Of things. 1t was stated
that at this juncture QUE government was
constrained to seriously inquire if the time
ripe when Spain Of her own Volt
ton, moved by her CIV II interests and every
to this destructive war and make pro
posals Of settlement honorable to herself
and just to her Cuban colony. 1t was urged
that as neighboring nation, with large in
rerests in Cuba, we could be REQUIRED ro
wait only 4 reasvnab BILE time for the mother
country to establish it's authority and re-
that we could not contemplate an inGeti-
mite period for the ACCOMPLISHMENTS ~ ga.
result
No Humiliation Suggested.
No solution was proposed to which, the
slightest idea OF humiliation to Spain
could attach, and indeed precise proposas
were withheld to avoid en- barrassmeut to
that government All that. was asked
or expected was that some safe way might
be speedily provided and permanent peace
restored It SO CHANGED that the consider
Spanish administration which had declined
the tenders Of my predecessor, and W hieh
for more than TWO years had poured men
AID treasure into Cuba in the fruirless ef-
fort to suppress the revolt fell to others.
Spain Promises Much.
23d day Of October. 1t is in the direction of
better understanding 1t apprecia tes the
friendly purposes Of this government 1t
admits that our country is deeply affected
by the war in Cuba. and that IFS desires
for peace are just 1t declares that the
present Spanish government il bound by
every consideration to a change OF policy
that shouid satisfy the United States and
paeify. Cuba within a reasonable time
To this end Spain has uec1ueu 10 pur into
effect the political reforms heretofore ad-
yoeated by the present premier without
ud1lluss l0t dui consideration II the Darh
which in its judgment leads to peace The
military operations it Is said Will CONTINUES
but will be humane and cunddcted with All
regard for private rights, being accom-
panied bY potIrIcal action Leading 20 the
autonomy OF Cuba while guarding Spanish
sovereignty. This, it is Claimed, will resufr
N investing CUBA with q distinct perspn-
at1ty; the island to be governed by an ex-
eeur1ve ana 10y a local council or chan her
reservlng to Spain the control OF the for
eign relations, the army and navy and rha
judicial administration To accompiish
THIS the present government PROPOSES 70
modify existing Legislation by decree. Ieay-
ING the Spanish cnrles. with the aid OF
Cuban senator's and deputies. to solve the
the existing debt In the absence OF a
declaration Of the measure that this 80
eminent proposes to take in earry1uR ont
IT'S profrer OF good Offices 1t stxrssfS thet
Spain be left free to- conduct miIifaT
operations and grant POLITICAL Reforms
while the United States, for its DEL ahaiif
enforce its neutral obligations and cnr ctr
the assistance which tt is asserted the In
SurEenIS receive from this Country Tha,
3appu.sititau OF an Indefinite prutOnQ;a fian or
the war is denied 1t is asserted thar tha
western provinces are already weIl-nfRh "a
cl2imett. that the planting of cane ai1u To-
oacco therein has been resumed auIY ry1Yr
by force Of arms and new and ample 70
torrs1ss very early and complete paciticatiau
IS hoped for. ~
Have Net Failed In Our Duty.
The Immediate aMelior&rinn OF exrsrfns.
eHuoItioRS under the new administrator;