The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1897-12-09

efforts to Subdue 1t carried destruction to
wide proportions and defying the efforts
| of Spain for it's suppression. The civilized
code Of war has been ,dsregarded, no less
The existing conditions cannot but fill
this government and the American people
with the gravest apprehension. There is
profit by the misfortunes Of Spain we
| have only the desire to see the Cubans
measure of self control which i 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, 1896, rendering the friendly offices
on TINS os 90 failed Any medaton
answer read: There is no effectual way
to pacify Cuba unless it begins with the
actual dtSd SUBMISSION ISIS q, Of the rebels to the
act in the promised direction Of her own
motion and after her own plans.
| Not Civilized Warfare.
The cruel policy Of concentration was
| Initiated February IT, 1896. The productive
districts controlled by the Spanish armies
itants were herded in and about the gar
| rison towns, their lands laid waste and
1 their dW,ellings DESTROYED; This policy the
sary measure of war and as means of cut
ting Off SUPPLIES from the insurgents. It has
utterly failed as a war measure. 1t was
IlOl CAS1lZSu "dIldES. II " DIS eAleIHlIld-
ton.
Protests Entered.
! Against this abuse Of the rights Of war
| l have felt constrained on repeated occa-
sions to enter the firm and earnest pro-
| test Of this government. There was much
| or public condemnation Of the treatment of
American citizens by alleged illegal arrests
and long imprisonment awaiting trial or
| pending protracted judicial proceedings.
felt 1t my first duty to make instant de-
mand 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 be-
| cause of the conflict the aid of congress was
| sought In 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
having been returned to the United States.
Minister Woodford's Instructions.
The Instructions given to our new min
lister to Spain before his departure for his
| post directed him to impress upon that gov
States to lend it's aid toward the ending
of the war in Cuba by reaching. peace
full and lasting result. Just and honorable
alike to Spain, and to the Cuban people
! and duration of the contest, the widespread
losses 1t entails, the burdens and restraints
turbance Of national interests and the in
jury resulting from an indefinite contin-
| uance of this state Of things. 1t was stated
constrained to seriously inquire if the time
was not ripe when Spain Of her own voli-
! ton, moved by her own interests and every
! to this destructive war and make pro-
| posals Of settlement honorable to herself
and Just to her Cuban colony. It was urged
that as neighborng nation; with large, in
| terests in Cuba, we could be required to
wait only q reasonable time for the mother
estSh7h bo apthG of Ee and
| that we could not contemplate an indef1-
mite period for the accomplishment Of 1h's
| result.
| No Humiliation Suggested.
slightest idea Of humiliatio to Spain
could attach, and indeed precise proposals
were withheld to avoid embarrassment to
or expected was that some safe way might
be speedily provided and permanent peace
restored. 1t so CHANGED that the consider
Spanish administration which had declined
for more than two years had poured men
fort to suppress the revolt fell to others.
Between the departure of Gen. Wood
ford, the new envoy, and his arrival in
policy of his country fell by the hand of an
assassin, and although the cabinet of the
late premier still held office and received
from our envoy the proposals he. bore, that
cabinet gave place within a few days there
after to new administration under the
leadership of Sagasta.
| Spain Promises Much.
The reply to our note was received on the
2Sd gay OF October: It is in the direction Of
friendly purposes of this government. It
admits that our country Is deeply affected
fSr i neac var arn IN Eupa and that its desires
present Spanish government is bound hv
e eHt eon lsl to change of policy
pacify, Cuba within a reasonable time
10 this end Spain has decided to put into
erect the political reforms heretofore ad-
halting for any Consideration in the ' netb
which IN its judgment leads to peace. The
military tar, operations 1t is said will continue
regard for private rights, being accom-
panied by political action leading to the
OF Wh IL Spanish
in investing Cuba with distinct person
a atty the island to be governed by an ex-
ecutlWe ana BY a local council or chamber,
eign relations the army and navy and the
lIii a. administration: To accomplish
modify existing legislation by decree. leav "
ing, the Spanish cortes, with the aid Of
Cuban senator's and deputies, to solve the
the existing debt. In the absence Of a
declaration of the measure that this gov
ernment proposes to take in carrying out
Spain be ieft free to conduit e mtt th at
while the United states, for its part, shall
! the assistance which it is asserted the in
| surgents receive from this country The
supposition Of an indefinite prolongation Of
! the war Is denied. 1t Is asserted that the
western provinces are already well-nigh re-
claimed; that the planting Of cane and to-
by force Of arms and new and ample re-
forms very early and complete pacification
is hoped for.
| Have Not Failed in Our Duty.
The immediate amelioration Of existing
conditions under the new administration
| Of Cuban affairs Is predicted, and Herewith
all the disturbance and all occasion for
any change of attitude on the part of the
United States Discussion of the question
tiles of the United States, as Spain under
stands them. is presented, with an appar-
ent disposition to charge us with failure in
| this regard. This charge is without any
basis in fact; It could not have been made
slant efforts this government has made, at
| of the administrative machinery of the ma
, ton. That it has successfully prevented
the departure of a single military expe-
| dition or armed vessel from our shores in
! violation of our laws would seem to be a
sufficient answer. But of this aspect of
speak further now. Firm in the conviction
! Of wholly performed obligation, due re-
! Spouse TO this charge has been made in dip
| lOmatic course.
The Untried Measures.
| OF the untried measures there remain
| only: Recognition OF the insurgents as
belliserents; recognition of the independ-
! ence of Cuba, neutral intervention to end
( the war by imposing rational compromise
| between the contestants. and Intervention
| in favor of one or the other party I speak
| mot of forcibe annexation, for that can
not be thought of. That by our code Of
| morality would be criminal aggression.
Recognition Of Insurgents.
Of q a.