The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1897-12-11

notes be restricted TO the denomination of S1C
and upwards II tho suggestions I have herein
made shall have the approval of congress, then
l would rccommcnd that national banks be re
quircd to redeem their notes in gold.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The most important problem with which
this government i now called ia deal, pertain
ing to it, foreign relations, concerns its duty
toward Spain and the Cuban Instruction.
Problems and conditions more or less in com
mon with those now existing have confronted
This government AT various times in the past.
The story of Cuba Tor many years has been one
of unrest; growing diScoItcnt; an effort toward
"a larger enjoyment Of liberty and Self-control.
of organized resistance TO the mother country
of depression after distress and warfare. and
Of Intellectual settlement to De followed by re-
newed revolt. For no enduring period since
the enfraurhIS3men 81 the continental posses
sion Of Spain in the western continent has the
condition Of Cuba. or the policy OF Spain to-
ward Cuba not caused concern to the United
States.
The War in Cuba.
The present inSurrection broke out in Febru-
AIRY. 1875. 1t Is rot my purpose at this time TO
recall its remar!la BILE increase or to character
iZe its tenacious resistance against the enor-
nous forces massed against IT by Spain. The
revolt and the efforts to subdue it carried de-
Struction to every quarter of the island. devel-
oping wide proportions and defying the efforts
OF Spain for its suppression. The civilized
code of war has been di5Tegarded, no loss so by
the Sp4niardS than by the Cubans. The exist
ing conditions cannot but NIL this government
and the American people with the gravest ap-
prehenSiOn. There is 40 desire on the part Of
our people TO proft by the misfortunes of
Spain. We have only the desire to see the
CubanS prosperous and cOntented, enjoying
that measure of self-eontrOl which Is the in
alienable right Of man, protected In their right
to reap the benefit of the eXhaustless treasures
OF their country.
The Offer made by my predecessor in April.
tQl9 faYnsfarfnE M frTanH1u nGlaaa of this unu-
eminent failed. Any mediation on our part
was not accepted. In brief the answer read:
'There is no e%fiectual way to paclfy Cuba I'M
less IL begin with the actual submission of the
rebels to the mother" Then only could Spain
net in the omised direction of her own mo-
tion and after her own plans. The cruel policy
OF concentration was initiated February 10.
1896. The productive districts controlled by
the Spanish armies were depOpulated and the
agricultural inhabitants were herded in and
about the RarriSOned towns, their land laid
waste and their wellings destroyed This policy
of the late cabinet OF Spain was justified as q
necessary measure of war and "a q means Of
cutting OF supplies from the Insurgents 1t
has utterly failed rs a war measure. It was
not civilized warfare. It was determination.
Release of American Prisoners.
Against this abuse OF the rights or war / have
felt constrained on repeated occasions to enter
the firm md earnest protest of this govern
ment. There was much of public Gondemna-
tion OF the treatment Of American citizens by
alleged illegal arrests and long imprisonment
awaiting trial or pending protracted judicial
procedure. l felt IL my first duty 10 make In
slant demand for the release or speedy trial OF
all American citizens under arrest Before
the change OF the Spanish cabinet in October
last, - 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 of CONGRESSES was sought in q
special message, and under the appropriation
of April 4, 1897. effective aid has been given to
American citizens In Cuba. Many OF them. at
their own request, have been returned to the
United States.
Instructions to Our Minister.
The instructions given to our minister to
Spain before his departure for his post directed
to impress upon that government the Sine
cere wish OF the United States to lend it's aid
toward the ending of the war in Cuba by reach
ing a peaceful and lasting result, just and hon
orable alike to Spain and to the Cuban people.
These instructions reclted the character and
duration of the contest, the widespread losses
it entails, the burdens and restraints 1t imposes
upon us. with constant disturbance Of national
interests and the injury resulting from an inde1-
mite continuance of this state Of things 1t was
stated that at this ~juncture our government
was constrained to seriously inquire II the
time was not ripe when Spain. Of her own
~volition, moved by her own interests
and every sentiment OF humanity, should put q
stop to this destructive war and make proposals
OF settlement honorable to herself and just to
her Cuban colony. II was urged that as a
neighboring natioa, with large interests In
Cuba. we could be required to wait only a Fea-
sonable time for the mother country to establish
its authority and restore peace and order
within the borders of the island; that we could
not contemplate an indefinite period for the
accomplishment OF this result. No solution
was proposed to which the slightest idea of
humiliation to Spain could attach. and indeed
precise proposals were Withheld to avoid en-
barrassment TO that government. All that was
asked or expected was that some safe way
might be speedily provided and permanent
peace restored.
Reply to Our Note.
The reply to our note was received on the
23d day OF October. 1t is in the direction OF n
better understanding. Itappreciates the friend
ly purposes OF this government. II admits
that our country is deeply affected by the war
in Cuba and that its desires for peace are Just.
1t declares that the present Spanish govern
ment is bound by every consideration to .
change OF policy that should satisfy the United
States and pacify Cuba within q reasonable
time To this end Spain has decided to put into
effect the political reforms heretofore advocat-
ed by the present premier. without hating for
any consideration In the path which in its iudg-
ment leads to peace. The military operations,
IL is said, will continue, but will be humane and
conducted with all regards for private rights.
being accompanied by political action leading
to the autonomy OF Cuba while guarding Span
ish sovereignty. This, IL is claimed. will result
in investing Cuba with a distinct personality;
tHc ialulu W Dc EoNCEnCu ny III SACSutlsS
by O local council or chamber. reserving TO
Spain the control of the foreign relations. the
army and navy and judicial administration. To
accomplish this the present government pro-
poses TO modify legislation by decree, leaving
the Spanish cortes, with the aid Of Cuban SEN
ators and deputies. TO solve the economic
problem and properly distribute the existing
debt.
In the absence OF o declaration OF the meas
ures that the government proposes TO take In
carrying out It's proffer OF good ofices II sug-
gests that Spain be left free to conduct militia
ry operations and grant political reforms.
while the United States for its part shall en-
force Its neutral obligations and cut on the as
sistance which IL is asserted the insurgents re-
ceive from this country. Tit superstition of
Indefinite prolongation of the war Is denied.
It Is asserted that the western provinces are
already we'll nigh reclaimed that the planting
OF cane and tobacco therein has been resumed,
and that by force of arms and new and ample re.
forms very early and complete pacthcation 10
hoped for. The immediate amelieration OF eK-
listing conditions under the new administration
Of Cuban affairs Is predicted. and therewtthal
the disturbance and all occasion for any change
OF attitude on the part of the United StaFeS
Discussion OF the question or international
duties and responsibilities Of the United
as Spain understands them. is pre-.
scented. with an apparent disposition TO charge
US with failure in this regard. This charge Il
without any basis In fact. 1t could not have
been made il Spain had been cognizant Of the