The record-union., 1897-12-07
CUBAN AFFAIRS.
New Spanish Government Should
be Given a Chance

upon to deal, pertaining to its foreign
relations, concerns its duty toward
Spain and the Cuban insurrection
Problems and conditions more or less
in common with those now existing
have confronted this Government at
various times IN the past.
The story of Cuba for many years
has been one of unrest and growing dis
content; an effort toward the larger
enjoyment of liberty and self-control;
of organized resistance to the mother
country; of depression after distress
and warfare, and of Intellectual settle
ment to be followed by renewed revolt.
For no enduring period since the en-
| franchisement Of the continental pos
sessions of Spain in the Western Con-
tnent 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 Spains hold upon the
island and the political vicissitudes and
| embarrassments of the home Govern
ment might lead to the transfer of Cuba
to continental Power called forth, be-
tween 1923 and 1860, various emphatic
declarations of the policy of the United
States to permit no disturbance of Gu
ba's connection with Spain, unless in
the direction of independence, or acqui
sition by the United States through
purchase; nor has there been any
change of this declared policy since,
upon TIE part of the Government.
THE WAR OF 1868.
The revolution which began in 1868
lasted for ten years, despite the siren
nous efforts q the successive peninsula
Governments 10 'ppress it. Then. as
now. the Government of the United
States testified it's 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 and treasure and increased injury
to American interests, besides throwing
enhanced burdens of neutrality upon
this Government. In 1878 peace was
brought about by the truce of Zan-
jon, obtained by negotiations between
the Spanish commander Martinez De
Campos. and the insurgent leaders.
THE PRESENT INSURRECTION.
| The present insurrection broke out
| in February, 1895. 1t is not my pur-
+! pose at this time to recall its remarka
BILE increase. or to characterize it's tena-
cious resistance against the enormous
| forces massed against it by Spain. The
revolt and the efforts to subdue it car
ried 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 and the American
people with the gravest apprehension.
There is no desire on the part of our
people to profit by the mfsfortunes Of
| Spain. We have only the desire to see
/ the Cubans prosperous and contented.
enjoying that measure of self control
which is the inalienable right of man,
protected in their right to reap the
! benefit Of the exhaustless treasures of
/ their country.
| OFFERS OF MEDIATION ARE
DECLINED.
| The offer made by my predecessor in
/ April, 1896. rendering the friendly Of
! fees of this Government failed, and
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 to the mother
/ country"
Then only could Spain act in the
promised direction of her own motion,
( and after her own plans
WAR OF DIFFERENTIATION.
The cruel policy of concentration was
! initiated February 16. 1896 The pro-
ductive districts controlled by the Span
ish armies We're depopulated. and the
agricultural inhabitants We're herded
/ in and about the garrison towns. their
I lands laid waste and their dwellings de-
! stroyed. This policy the late Cabinet
/ of Spain justified as a necessary meas
! ure of war, and as a means of cutting
/ off supplies from the insurgents IT
/ has utterly failed as war measure. 1t
was not civilized warfare It was ex-
| termination.
| Against this abuse of the rights of
! war I have felt constrained on repeated
occasions to enter the firm and earn
est protest Of this Government
ARREST OF AMERICANS.
There was much of public condemna-
tor Of the treatment of American citi-
zens by alleged illegal arrests and long
/ imprisonment awaiting trial or pending
protracted judicial procedures. l felt
ii my first duty to make instant demand
for the release or speedy trial of all
American citizens under arrest. Before
the change of the Spanish Cabinet in
October last Twenty-Five prisoners, cit
liens Ct the United States, had been
given their freedom
I RELIEF FOR OUR CITIZENS.
Fo~ the relief of our own citizens
( suffering because of the conflict. the
aid OF Congress was sought in a special
message, and under the appropriation
/ of April I, 1897, effective aid has been
( given to American citizens in C,ba.
and many Of them. at their own re-
( quest, have been returned to the United
i Stares.
/ WooDFORD's INSTRUCTIONS.
I The instructions given 10 our new
Minister to Spain before his departure
! for his post, directed him to impress
I upon tnat Government. the sincere
/ wish 90 the United states to lend It's
! aid toward ending the war in Cuba
i By reaching a peaceful and lasting re-
suit. lrst and honorable alike to Spain
/ and the Cuban people. These instruc-
/ tfons recited the character and ds,ra
t!on Of the contest. the widespread
/ lcsses il entaiied the burdens ana re-
straints II imposes upon Us, with con-
stant disturbance 9f national interests.
and the injury resulting from an indef-
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