The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-20

WASHINGTON. May ls.-The secret
archives of the state department. which
hold the consular reports OF the Cuban
war, were partially disclosed today by
Senator Foraker of Ohio During the
past week the debate in the senate has
been pregnant with insinuations and In
nuendos of reports from United States
officials in Cuba held at the state depart
ment. which. If published. would disclose
a condition OF affairs on Cuban soil which
would influence public opinion in a eecid-
ed manner
without stating from whom they came,
created decided stir. Especially start
ling was letter from Secretary Oiney,
in which this country offered mediation TO
Spain. and the refusal of that country to
accept the proffered aid
While one of the letters from a consul
lar representative was read without the
name of the author being disclosed. IL is
stated to be a communication from Gen.
Lee. which fully sets forth his idea of the
conditions that exist in Cuba.
An extract was quoted as follows. no
date being given:
Il 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 at the period
! f1rst reached the island ten months ago.
ana l do not think IL fair inference to
draw from existing conditions that the
war Is approaching a termination. be-
cause in pursuance of an established pol
Icy the insurgents avoid as far as possible
all serious engagements.
THE impossibilty OF expelling the Span
ish 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
or the success of their cause upon one or
more pitched battles.
II conclude. therefore that the war will
drag its weary length along so long as the
insurgents can dig sustensnce from the
ground on one side or money be obtained
by the other. with the continued result
of untold human suffering. loss of life. the
murder of innocent men. women and chill
dren By both sides. and the frightful havoc
which disease makes in the ranks Of the
soldiers especially among the unaccli-
mated Spaniards.
"The poverty and distress of the people
are increasing. and the loss OF property
of all sorts daily is becoming more enor-
nous. 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 within
the past few weeks while in other points
on the island the suffering has been pro-
portionately great.
The letter of Secretary Olney to Spanish
Minister De LONE, under date of April L.
1896, is the one in which intervention Is
suggested. In opening. Mr.. Olney said:
1T might be well deemed derelietion
of duty TO the government of the United
States, as we'll as a censurable want OF
candor TO Spain. II | were longer to defer
an official expression, as well of the anx-
iety with which the president regards the
existing situation in Cuba. as of his earnest
desire for the prompt and permanent pa
cification of the island. Any plan giving
reasonable assurance OF that result. and
not inconsistent with the just rights and
reasonable demands OF all concerned. could
earnestly be promoted by him by all the
means which the constitution and laws OF
this country place at his disposal
''It is now nine or ten months since the
nature and prospects of the insurrection
were first discussed between us. In expla-
nation of its rapid. and UP TO this time
quite unopposed growth and progress. you
called attention TO the rainy season. which
from May or June until November renders
military operations impracticable. Spain
was pouring such numbers OF troops into
Cuba that your theory and opinion that,
when they could be used in an active cam
paign the tnsurrection would be almost in
stanffy suppressed. seemed reasonable ana
proha BILE. In this particular you said, ana
emf Ia
rAction would offer a most marked contrast
"a that which began in lsss which. being
fsehlv encountered with comparatively
small forces prolonged it's life for upward
Of ten years.
or Is impossible TO deny that the ex-
nectsffons thus entertained by YOU IN the
summer and fall OF 1895 and shared not
merely by all Spantards. bat oy most dis-
interested observers as well. have been
cor,ntetefv disappointed. The insurgents
seem today to command a larger part Of
the island than ever before. Their men
under arms. estimated at from io,es 10
,, 90 are now conceded to be at least two
or three times az many Meanwhile
their discipline has been improved and
their supply of modern weapons ana
eo,,gpruent has been greatly enlarged.
wh,ta the mere fact that they have held
on. 20 this time has given them confidence
sn their own eyes and prestige with the
world at large In short. 10 can hardy
be questioned that the insurrection. IN
stead of being queIled. is today more for
uidable than ever. and enters on the sec
ord year Of its existence with decidedly
improved prospects Of success. Whether
a condition OF things emitting the insuF-
gents 10 recognition as belligerents has
vet been brought about may, FOR the pur-
pose of the present communication, oe
regarded as immaterial
other portions were as follows
Even IL IL be granted that insurrectien
prevails and nothing more. IL Is on SO
! large A scale and. difused over so eEtea-
sive A region and IS 50 favored ny the
rhvsgcaI features OF the climate of fhs
country that the authority Of Spain -
subverted and the functions OF iis govern
I rnert are fn sbeyance or practically ssis-
uanaea throughout a greater part of me
izfans Spafn stiff holds TIRE sesporfs ana
rpost II rot all the large towns in the tn-
terror Nevertheless. vast area of ne
farr7forv Of the island fs in eTecf un9ef
.r~ control OF rowing bands 81 Insurgents.
which II driven from one place To-Day "
=, exhsagtfon OF superior fogcs. abandon
- ort.r 10 return tomorrow when thar
force hax moved on for their disiodgsfneat
IN other quarters
.aTse authority OF Spain is suhVerted
aua me functions Of shat government are
in Allowance or practically s9Sr~nehvti
/ throughout the agricultural part OF thT
island Outside OF the towns stiii nf'ls !,