The bee. (Earlington, Ky.) 1889-19??, 1897-12-09


herein made shall have the approval OF con-
gresS, then 1 would recommend that national
banks be required to redeem their notes in gold
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The Cuban Question the Most Important
Problem.
Tile most important problem with which this
government is now called upon TO deal pertain
ing 10 its foreign relations concerns its duty
toward Cuba and the insurrection. Problems
these now existing have confronted this gov
eminent 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 resistance to the mother country;
OF depression after distress and warfare, ana OF
Intellectual settlement TO be followed by re 10
newcd revolt
For no enduring period since tho enfran-
chlsement OF the continental possession OF
Spain IA tho western continent has the condi-
ton OF Cuba or the policy OF spain toward
Cuba not caused concern TO the United states.
Weakness OF spain's Hold ON tho Island.
The prospect from tims to tlms that this
weakness oil SPANS hold upon the island. and
the political yiclssltudes and ENTERTAINMENTS
OF the home government might lead 10 the
transfer OF Cuba 70 continental power called
forth. between iSs3 and 1880 various emphatic
declarations OF the United States TO permit no
disturbance OF Cuba's connection with SPAIN
unless IN the direction OF Independence or ac-
Quisiiion by us through purchase; nor has
there been any change OF this declared policy
since upon the part OF the government
The Ten Years War.
The revolution, which bcgaa in 1898. lasted
for ten years, despite the strenuous efforts OF
the successive peninsular governments I sup
press H. Then, as now, the government OF the
Unlted States testified its great concern and
offered Us aid % put an end 20 oioodshed IN
refused. and the war dragged on, entailing great
loss Of life and treasure and increased Injury 70
American interests, besides throwing enhanc Cd
lf Il 4.
In 1873 peace was brought about by the truce
OF zlnjOn. obtained By negotiations between the
Spanish commander. Martinez de CampoS. and
| The insursent leaders
The Present resurrection.
The present insurrectiOn broke out IN Febru-
airy. irio IL Is not my purpose at this time u
/ lie Its tenacious resistance against the en0r-
| nous forces massed against IL BY Spain The
revolt and the Efforts 10 subiue II carried de-
| struction 10 every part Of the Island, develop
ing Vide proportions and defying the efforts OF
/ Spain FOR It's suppression The civilized code
OF war has been disregaried, no less so by The
i SpaniardS than by the Cubans
| EsIsting Conditions Are Grave.
The existing conditions can not but an this
goveram ,at All the American people with the
graycSt apprehension There Is no desire on the
/ part OF our people TO profit by the misfortunes
I of spain. We nave only the desire TO see tbs
| Cubans prosperous and c0nteated. enjoying that
measure OF self-control which Il the inalien-
able right OF man. protected In their right "a
reap the benefit OF the exhaustless measures oil
their country.
! Tender OF Friendly Onccs Failed.
lss II tenderinx the friendly oices Of this gov.
eminent, failed Any insulation on our part
was not accepted. In brief, the answer read
4 There Is no eiectual way to pacify Cuba unles,
! IL begins with the actual submission OF the
\ rebels 10 the mother country Then only could
spain act IA the promised direction OF her own
motion and after her own plans"
The Cruei Policy of Concentration.
/ tl.a al saf fuf.
tlated February TO- 1895 -rhs productive dis
, tricts controlled by the Spanish armies were
depopalated. The agricultural inhabitants were
heried IN AMI about the garrison towns theil
/ lands laid waste and their dwellings destroyed
/ This policy OF the late cabinet OF Spain iustl-
ned IL as necessary MEASURE OF war and as .
means OF cutting on supplies from the insur-
gents IL has utterly failed Us a war measure
IL was not civilized warfarc II was extermina-
4 tion.
Firm and Earnest Protest of this Govern,
ment.
Axninst this abuse OF the rights OF war have
| felt constrained on repeated occasions to entel
! the firm and earnest protest OF this government
K There was much OF public condemnation OF tn,
| treatment OF American citizens by alleged ille'
! gal arrests and long Imprisonment awaiting
trial or peading protracted judicial proceedings
! | felt IL my first duty TO make instant demand
for the release or speedy trial OF all American
| citizens under arrest Before the change OF thu
Spanish cabinet, In October last - prisoners
ctIizens OF the United States had been giveI
Aid to American Citixsns In Cuba.
For the relief OF our own citizens. suGeriu2
because OF the CONFLICT, the ald OF congress wa
sought In n special message, and under the APP
preparation OF April 4 1897. effective hid ha
been given TO American citizen In Cuba, maay
OF them at their own request have been re
turned to the United StataS
Instructions to Our Minister la Spain.
The instructions given to our minister u
Spain before his departure for his post, direct
cd him 20 Impress upon that government TN
sincere wish OF the United State, to lend IT,
aid toward the ending OF the war I
Cuba by reaching peaceful ana last
Spain and to the Cuban people. Thes
instructions recited the character and duration
of the contest, the widespread losses 1t entails
the burdens and restraints IL imposes upon Us
with constant disturbance OF national interest
and the injury resulting from an indefinite con
tinuancc OF this state OF things.
A Serious Consideration.
II was stated that at this iuncture our gov
eminent constrained to seriously inquire II tn
time was not ripe when Spain, OF her own vol
ton. moved by her own interests and ever
| sentiment OF humanity. should put stop /
this destructive war aud make proposals G
settlement honorable TO herself and just I
her Cuban colony. II was urged that as
neighboring nation. with large interests In Gu
ba we could be required to wait only u reason
able time for the mother country 10 establis
it's authority and restore peace and order With
the borders OF the island; that we could nc
contemplate an indefinite period 'er the accom-
plisbment Of this result.
No Attempt to Embarra No Spain.
No solution was proposed TO which the slight
est idea OF humiliation TO Spain could attaol
and indeed, precise proposals were withheld
, avoid embarrassment to that government A
that was asked or expected was that some sal
, way might be speedily provided and permaner
! IL SO CHANGED that the consideration OF tn
offer addressed to the same Spanish admin
1 tration which had declined the tenders OF II
. predecessor, and which for more than two yea
I had poured men and treasure into Cuba 10 u
q fruitless effort to suppress the revolt. fell
: others.
Government la New Hands.
Between the departure OF Gen. Woodford, y
D | new envoy, and his arrival In Spain, the state
!. man who had shaped the policy Of his countr
Q fell by the hand OF an assassin, and, althoul
n the cabinet OF the premer still held office al
I received from our envoy the proposals he Dor
J that cabinet gave place. within few ia
thereafter, to q new administration, under u
q leadership OF Sagasta
4 The New Leaders Reply.
The reply 10 our note was received on q
= twenty-third day OF October. 1t Is In the dire
= tion OF better understanding. 1t appreeat
= the friendly purposes OF this government.
admits that our country Is deeply affected
the war In Cuba and that It's desires for pea
o are Just. II declares that the present Spani
: government Is bound by every consideration
J. d change OF policy that should satisfy q
: United States and pacify Cuba within reaso
Q able time 10 this end Spain has decid
= TO put into effect the political reforms heret
n fore advocated by the present premier witho
haiiag cr ANY so ssl In the path Will