The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-07

governments to suppress 1T. Then. as
now, the government of the United
States testified its grave concern and
offered its aid To put an end 10 blood
shed in Cuba. The overtures made BY
General Grant were rejected. and the
war dragged on, entailing great loss
of life and treasure and increased in
jury to American interests, besides
throwing enhanced burdens Of neutral
ity upon this government.
In 1878 peace was brought about BY
the truce of Zanjon, obtained by nego-
t1ations between the Spanish comman-
der. Martinez de Campos, and tie in
surgent leaders.
The Present Instruction.
The present instruction broke out in
February, 1885, 1t is not my purpose
at this time to recall it's remarkable In
crease, or to characterize its tenacious
resistance against the enormous forces
massed against IL by Spain. The re-
volt and the efforts to subdue IL carried
destruction to every quarter OF the ISL
and, developing wide proportions and
defying the efforts Of Spain for its sup
preston. The civilized code of war has
been disre arded. no less by the Span
iards than oy the Cubans.
The existing conditions cannot but
fill this government and the American
people with the grayest 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 inaienable right of man,
protected In their right to reap the ben
eft 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 :
ton on our part was not accepted. In
brief. the answer read: There is
no effectual way to pacify Cuba
unless 1T begins with the ac-
tual submission of the rebels TO
could Spain act in the promised direc-
lion of her own motion and after her
own plans
Cruel Policy.
The cruel policy of concentration was
initiated Feb. is, 1896. The productive
districts controlled by the Spanish ar
mics We're depopulated and the agri-
cultural habitants were concentrated
about the garrison towns. their lands
laid waste and their dwellings de-
stroyed This policy the late cabinet
of Spain justified as necessary mea-
sure of war and as a means of cutting
off supplies from the insurgents. 1t
has utterly failed as war measure. It
was not civilized warfare. 1t was ex-
termination
Against this abuse of the rights of
war | have felt constrained ON repeat
ed occasions to enter the firm and earn
est protest of this government. There
was much of public condemnation of
the treatment of American citizens by
alleged illegal arrests and long mpris-
onments awaiting trial or pending pro-
| tracted judicial procedures. | felt it
my first duty to make instant demand
! for the release or speedy trial of all
! American citizens under arrest. Be-
! fore the change of the Spanish cabinet
on October % prisoners, citizens of the
| United States, had been given their
/ freedom.
4 For the relief of our own citizens suf-
1 fering because of the conflict, the aid
/ of congress was sought in "A special
/ message, and under the appropriation
1 of April 4. 1897. effective aid has been
| given to American citizens in Cuba. and
many of them at their own request
I have been returned 10 the United
! States
Wootiford's Instruc lions.
The instructions given to our new
/ minister 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 to-
/ ward ending the war in Cuba by reach
/ ing a peaceful and lasting result, just
4 and honorable alike to Spain and the
/ Cuban people.
These instructions recited the char
4 acter and duration of the contest. the
/ widespread losses il entails the bur-
! dens and restraint il imposes upon us
with constant disturbance of national
| interests and the injury resulting from
an indefinite continuance of this state
! of things. i was stated that 1t this
! iuncture our government was con-
! strained to seriously inquire if the time
A ~ rim hon Gtaa 1f hay.
yclition, moved by her own interests
and every sentiment of humanity
] should put stop to this destructive
war and make proposals of settlement
honorable 10 herself and Just To hei
/ Cuban colony. 1t was urged that as 8
/ neighboring nation, with large interests
in Cuba. we could be required t. wall
only reasonable time for the mother
country to establish its authority anG
restore peace and order within the Dor
/ ders of the island; that we could moi
contemplate an indefinite period for tn,
accomplishment of these results.
No solution was proposed to which
the slightest idea of humiliation Il
Spain could attach. All that was asked
or expected was that some safe way
might be speedily provided and perma
nent peace restored. 1t so CHANGED tina
/ the consideration Of this offer, address
ed to the same Spanish administration
which had declined the tenders of my
] predecessor, and which for more than
two years had poured men and treasur,
/ into Cuba in the frutless effort To sup
press the revolt. fell 10 others. BE
j tween the departure of General Wood
ford the new envoy, and his arrival il
Spain. the statesman who had shaped
the policy of his country fell by tn
hand of an assassin. and, although III,
cabinet Of the late premier still heit
| office. and received from our envoy III
proposals he bore, that cabinet gay.
| place within few days thereafter To
new administration under the leader
ship of Sagasta.
A Change OF Policy.
The reply TO our note Was received OF
the 23rd day of October. 1T Is in tn
! direction of "A better understanding. /
appreciates the friendly purpose Of thi
| government. Ill admits that our coun
try is deeply affected by the war j
/ Cuba and that its desires for peace al
just. Ii declares that the present Span
ish government is bound by every con