Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-20
THE CUBAN ARCHIVES
coRHEsPoNDEyCE TO WHICH AL
LUsION Is MADE IN SENATE.
REPORT OF CONSUL.CENERAL LEE.
THE RUIN BEING WROUGHT by
THE WAR on THE ISLAND.
TENDER OF MEDIATION BY OLKEY.
Rejection of Same on the Part OF the
Spanish GOvcrnment-suggc
That Our Country stop Cuban Ala
Expeditions.


archives OF the state Department, which
have hid the consular reports on the
Cuban war from the public, were par
tally disclosed to-day by Senator Fora
ker, Of Ohio. During the past week
the debate in the Senate has been preg-
nant with intimations and innucndos OF
reports from United States officials IN
Cuba, held at the State Department,
Which, If published would disclose a
condition on Cuban soil which would in
fuence public opinion in decided man
ner. The facts. therefore, which Sena-
tor Foraker announced without stating
from whom they came. created a decided
stir. Especially startling was the letter
from Secretary Oney. I'm which this
country offered meditation to Spain. and
the refusal Of that country to accept the
aid so proffered.
While one Of the consular reports was
read. without the name of the author
being disclosed, it is stated 10 be a
communication from Consul-General
Lee. which fully sets forth his idea Of
the needs that exist in Cuba. The extract
given:
Il cannot understand the truth OF the
claim that all the provinces OF the island
are pacifed. except that of Santiago de
Cuba. because there are more Insurgents
under arms at this time than when /
first reached the island. some ten months
ago. and / DO not think it fair in
ference to now draw from existing con-
ditions that the war is approaching
termination because In pursuance Of an
established policy. the insurgents avoid
as far as possible, all serious engage
ments.
"The impossibility Of eXpelling the
Spanish troops from this island by force
Of arms is well known TO them. ana they
do not propose TO risk the lives OF their
men and the success Of their cause upon
one or more pitched battles. L conclude
therefore. that the war will drag its
weary length along so long as the insur-
gents can dig sustenance from me
ground. on the one side or money De
obtained by the other. with the continued
result Of untold human suffering, loss
of life. murder of innocent women ana
children by both sides, and the trghtlul
havoc which disease makes in the ranks
OF the soldiers, particularly among the
lnacclimated Spaniards. Ihe poverty
and distress of the people are daily m
creasing. and the loss Of property OF all
sorts is daily becoming more enormous
No one can fully appreciate the sllua-
tion without being here in person. Inc
number Of the poor. distressed, starving
women and children of all races has
greatly increased in this city within the
mast few weeks. while at other points
on the island the suffering has been pro-
portionately greater
OLNEY TO DE LONE.
Tho letter from Secretary Olney to the
cnanish Minister, De LONE, under date
of Anril 4 1896. is the one in which i'll
terventfon is suggested. In opening Mr..
Oiney said: .,
..It might well be deemed a dereliction
Of duty to the Government Of the Onlted
States. as well as a censurable want Oh
candor 10 Spain. if l were longer TO deIer
cHicia1 EXPRESSION as well as the anxiety
Of the President regarding the oXlsuns
situation in Cuba and Of his earnest de-
sire for the prompt and permanent pacl-
dcation Of that island. Any plans giving
reasonable assurance of that result ana
not inconsistent with the just rishts ana
reasonable demands Of all concerned, VIII
be earnestly promoted by MIN py an
means when the Constitution ana laws
Of this country place at his disposal
"Tr is now some nine or ten months
since the nature and prospects OF lhe IL
surrection were first discussed between
ms In explanation Of is rapid and up
IN that time quite unopposed growth ana
nrogress YOU called attention TO me
rainv season which from May or June
uutil November renders regular military
onerations impracticable. Spain was
no,i.ing such numbers of troops into CUBA
tbof Nour theory and opinion that When
tbev could be used in an active campaign
the insurrection would be almost IN
etan.Iv suppressed seemed reasonable
and probable. In this particular you be-
Ueved. and sincerely believed. that the
present insurrection would oIer mos
marked contrast 10 that which began III
iSe2 and which being feebly encountered
with comparatively small forces pro.ohs-
ed it's life for upwards OF ten years.
"Tt is impossible to deny that the eX-
pectations thus entertained by you in the
suroroer and fan Of 1895. and shared not
merely by all Spanlards, but by most
disinterested observers as well, have been
cornnletelv disappointed. The insurgents
seem to-day to command a larger part or
tho island than ever before. Their men
,,rder arms. estimated a year ago at
from ten TO twenty thousand. are con-
ceded 10 be at least two or three times
ae many. Meanwhile. their discipline mas
beon improved. and their supply OF
modern weapons and equipment has Deeh
-,reatIv enlarged. while the mere iact
tbet thew have held out to this time has
piycn them confidence i'm their own eyes
and nrostige with the world at large. In
short II can hardly be questioned that
The insurrection, instead Of being queiled'
is to-day more formidable than ever ana
enters upon the second year OF its eN-
ietance with decided prospects OF sue
oessful results. Whether a condition OF
things emitting the insurgents 10 recoB-
ritfon as belllgerents has yet o been
brought about may for the purposes ol
the present communication be regarded
as immaterlaL
THE CUBAN SITUATION.
Other. portions of this document were as
follows: Even If it be granted that a
condition Of insurgency prevails ana no
thing more. il is on so large scale and
diffused over 50 extensive region and
Is so favored by the physical features OF
,he climate Of the country, that the au-
thoritv OF Spain Is subverted, and the ac-
lion OF it's government Is in abeyance or
practically suspended throughout great
cr portion Of the island. Spain SUI Mods
the seaports and most Of the notable larse
towns i'm the interior. Nevertheless, a
large part Of the territory Of the Island
Is I'm effect under the control OF rowing
hands OF insurgents, who, If driven from
one place to-day, by an exhibition Of su-
perior force. abandon it only to return to-
morrow. when that force has moved on
Tor their dislodgement in other quarters.
"Outside Of the towns still under span
ish rule. anarchy lawlessness, and ter
rorsm are rampant. Ihe result - q
systematic war upon the industries OF the
island. ana upon all the means Dy which
they are carried on, and whereas. the