The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-05-25
REPORT MADE PUBLIC.
HE SAYS THERE ARE NO INDICA-
TIONS OF THE TBRMINA-
TON OF THE WAR.

Story of Paci6ed Provinces False
Starvation and Distress Widespread
Poverty Daily Increasing,
WASHINGTON, May 19.-The secret
archives Of the State Department,
which have hid the consular reports on
the Cuban war from the public, were
partially disclosed to day by Senator
Foraker, of Ohio. During the past
week the debate in the Senate has been
pregnant with intimations and inuen-
dos of reports from United States Off
Gals in Cuba, held at the State Depart
ment, which, if published, would dis
close a condition on Cuban soil which
which would influence public opinion
in a decided manner. The facts, there
fore, which Senator Foraker announced
without stating from whom they came,
created a decided stir. Especially
startling was the letter from Secretary
Olney, in which this country offered
mediation to Spain, and the refusal of
that country to accept the aid so prof
fered.
While one of the consular reports
was read without the name of the au
thor being disclosed, it is stated to be a
communication from Consul General
Lee, which fully sets forth his idea Of
the needs that exist in Cuba.
The extract was quoted as follows,
no date being given:
GENERAL LEES REPORT
81 cannot understand the truth of
the claim that all the Provinces of the
island are ~pacified, except that of San
tiago de Cuba, because there are more
insurgents under arms at this time
than when I first reached the island
some ten months ago, and !. no not
from existing conditions that the war
is approaching q termination, because,
in pursuance Of an established policy,
tbs insurgents avoid as far as possible
all serious engagements.
1.-THE impossibility Of expelling the
Spanish troops from this island by
force Of arms is well known to them,
and they do not propose to risk the
lives Of thtir men and the uccsss of
their cause upon one or more pitched
battles; I conclude, therefore, that the
war will drag its weary length along,
so long as the insurgents can dig sus
tenance from the ground On the one
eide, or money.can be obtained by the
other, with the continued result Of un'
told human suffering, loss of life, muir
der of innocent women and children by
both sides, and the frightful havoc
which disease makes in the ranks of
the soldiers, particularly among the
unacclimated Spaniards.
The poverty and distress Of the PEG
pie is daily increasing, and the loss Of
property Of all sorts daily becoming
more enormous. No one can fully ap'
preciate the situation without being
here in person. The number Of poor,
distressed, starving women and chill
dren of all races have greatly increased
in this city within the past few weeks
while in other points on the island the
suffering has been proportionately
greater"
MEDIATION PROPOSED.
The letter from Secretary Olney tt
Spanish Minister DeLome, under date
of April 4, 1896, is the one in which in
tervention is suggested. In opening
Mr.. Olney said:
ut might we'll be seemed q derelic
ton Of duty to the government of TIT
United States, as well as a censurablr
want of candor to Spain if I were longeI
, to defer official expression as we'll con
+ corning the anxiety the President feel
regarding the existing situation il
Cuba, as of his earnest desire for tn,
prompt and permanent ~pacifcation o
, that island. Any plans giving reason
able assurance of that result and no
inconsistent with the just rights AM
. reasonable demands of all concerned
& will be earnestly promoted by him b!
all means which the Constitution ant
laws of this country place at his dis
posal.
'rIt is now some nine or ten month
. since the nature and prospects of tn
insurrection were first discussed be
tween us. In explanation of its rapi
and up to that time quite unoppose
growth and progress, you called after
3 ton to the rainy season which, tror
n May or June until November, render
q regular military operations impractiC
a able. Spain was pouring such number
2 of troops into Cuba that your theor
and nnininn that when fhav conld b