Middletown transcript., 1897-12-11

Y denomination OF ten dollars and up
j. wards. If the suggestions have here
d in made shall have the approval o
Q | Congress, then / would recommend
e that national banks be required to re
s deem their notes in gold.
THE CUBAN PROBLEM.
! The most important problem will
. which this government is now called
} upon to deal pertaining toits foreign
relations concerns its duty toward
! Spain and the Cuban insurrection.
!, Problems and conditions more or less
in common with those how existing
have confronted this government at
various times in the past. The story
of Cuba for many years has been one of
unrest, growing discomfort; an effort
toward a larger enjoyment of liberty
and self control; of organized resist
ance to the mother country; Of depres-
sion after distress and warfare and of
Intellectual settlement to be followed
by renewed revolt. For no enduring
perind since the enfranchisement of the
continental possessions of spain in the
Western continent has the condition of
Cuba or the policy Of Spain toward
Cuba not caused concern to the United
States.
The prospect from time to time that
the weakness of Spain's hold upon the
island and the political vicissitudes
and embarrassmeDts of the home gov
ernment might i.ed - Tie transfer of
Cuba to continental power called
forth, between 1928 and 1860, various
emphatic declarations of the policy of
the United States q permit no distur
ance of Cuba's connection with Spain
under the direction of independence or
acquisition by us through purchase;
nor has there been any change of this
declared policy since upon the part of
of the government.
The revolution which began in 1868
lasted for ten years, despite the stren-
uous efforts of the successive penin-
sular governments to suppress it. Then,
as now, the government of the United
States testified lis grave concern and
offered its aid to put an end to blood
shed in Cuba. The overtures made by
General Grant were refused, and the
war dragged on, entailing great loss of
life ard treasure, and increased in
jury TO American interests, besides
throwing enough announced burdens
of neutrality upon this government.
In 1878 peace was brought about by
the truce Of Zanjon, obtained by Gego-
tiations between the Spanish COM
mander Martinez De Campos, and the
insurgent leaders.
The present insurrection broke out
in February, 1895. 1t is not my pur-
pose at this tine to recall its remark
able increase or 10 characterize its
tenacious resistance against the enor-
nous forces massed against it by Spain.
The revolt and the efforts TO subdue it
carried destruction to every quarter of
the island, developing wide proportions
and defying the efforts of Spain for its
suppression. The civilized code of war
has been disregarded no less so by the
Spaniards than by the Cubans. The |
existing conditions cannot but fill this |
government aud the American people |
with the gravest apprehension. There |
is no desire upon the part of the people |
to profit by the misfortunes of Spain.
We have only the desire to see the Gu
bans prosperous and contented, enjoy
ing that measure of self-control, which |
is the inalienable right of man. pro-
tected in their right to reap the benefit |
of the exhaustless treasures of their
country.
The offer made by my predecessor in
April, 1896, 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 10 the mother
cuuntry.n Then only could Spain act
in the promised direction, of her own
motion and after her own plans.
The cruel policy of concent ration
WAS initiated on February 10. 1896.
The productive districts controlled by
the Spanish armies were depopulated.
The agricultural inhabitants were
herded in and about the garrison towns,
their lands laid waste and their DWELL
ings destroyed. The policy of the late
Cabinet of Spain justified this as a ne.
eessary measure of war and as a means
of cutting off supplies from the insur.
gents. 1t has utterly failed as war
measure. 1t was not civilized warfare.
Il was determination,
Against this abuse of the rights of
war have felt constrained on repeated
occasions to enter the firm and earnest
protest of this government. There
was much Of public condemnation of
the treatment of American citizens by
alleged illegal arrests and long inn
prisonment awaiting trial or pending
protected judicial proceedings. / felt
it my first duty to make instant de,
nand for the release or speedy trial of
all American citizens under arrest. Be-
fore the change of the Spanish Cabinet
in October last, twenty-five prisoners,
citizens of the United States had been
given their freedom.
For the relief Of our own citizens
suffering because of the conflict, the aid
ofCongress was sought in special mes
sage, and under the appropriation of
April, 4 1897, tffecivie aid has been
given to American citizens In Cuba.