Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1897-12-10

/
less rate Of interest than now author
lied.
| earnestly recommend as soon n
the receipts OF the government ar
sufficient 10 Day its expenses tina
when any United States notes are re
deemed IN gold such notes shall b,
kept apart and only paid out in ex
change for gold. This is an obvious
duty If they are pat out IN any Other
way they may return AGAIN, to be fol
/ lowed bV another howl f,'...,. 80 rrf ~
which this government Is now caneu
upon TO deal pertaining TO its foreign
relations concerns its duty toward
Spain and the Cuban insurrection.
Problems and conditions more or less
in common with these now existing
have confronted this government at
various times In the past. The story
Of Cuba for many years has been one
Of unrest and growing discomfort, an
effort toward larger enjoyment CT
| liberty and self-control, of organized
resistance to the mother country, Of
depression after distress and warfare
and of settlement to be followed by
continual revolt For no enduring
period since the Acknowledgement of
the continental possessions Of Spain in
the Western continent has the condi-
ton Of Cuba or the policy of Spain to-
ward Cuba not caused concern in the
United States.
The prospect from time to time that
the weakness Of SPANS hold upon the
island and the political viclssitudes
and embarrassment of the home gov
eminent might lead to the transfer of
Cuba to a continental power called
forth between 1920 ana 1860 various
emphatic declarations OF the policy of
the United States TO permit no dis
turbance with Cuba and Spain unless
IN the direction Of Independence or ac-
QUESTION by us through purchase, nor
has there been any change of this de
clared policy since upon the part of
the government. The revolution which
began in 1868 lasted for ten years, de-
spite the strenuous efforts of the sue
cessiye peninsula governments to sup
press It. Then, as now, the United
States testified its grave concern and
offered its aid to put an end to blood
shed In Cuba. The oyertures made by
President Grant were refused and Il
was dragged on, entailing great loss of
life and treasure and increased injury
TO American interests, besides throw
Ing enhanced burdens of neutrality
upon this government.
The present insuIrection broke out in
February. 1895. II is not my purpose
ut this time to recall its remarkable in
crease. or To characterize Its tenacious
resistance against the enormous forces
massed against ii by Spain. The re-
volt, and the efforts to subdue It, car
rled destruction TO every quarter of
the island. developing wide proper
lions and defying the efforts of Spain
for its suppression. The civilized code
of war has been disregarded no less by
the Spanards than by the Cubans.
The existing conditions cannot but
fill this government and the American
people with the gravest apprehension.
There Is no desire to profit by the mis-
fortunes Of Spain. We have only the
desire that the Cubans be prosperous
and eOntented, enjoying that measure
Of self-c0ntrul which is the inaliena-
BILE right of man, protected in their
rights To reap the benefit of the ex- /
haustless treasures of their country.
The offer made by my predecessor
m April. 1896, rendering the friendly |
Dfiices of this government, failed. and |
mediation ON our part was not accept
I'd. In brief, the answer read: 'vrhere
Is no eifectual way to pacify Cuba UNI
less IL begins with the actual Submis-
sion of the rebels to the mother coun-
Iry."
Then only could Spain act in the
promised direction of her own motion
md after her own plans.
The cruel policy of concentration
Vas Initiated February rs. 1896. The
productive districts controlled by the
spanish armies were deprecated. the
agricultural Inhabitants were hortled
n and about garrisoned towns, their
ands laid waste, and their dwellings
destroyed. This policy the late cabi-
let OF Spain justified as a necessary
measure Of war and as a means of cut
ing OF supplies from the insurgents.
[ has utterly failed us war measure.
I was not civilized warfare. 1t was
Instructions Given to Minister woodford.
Against the abuse of the rights OF
he war | have felt constrained on re-
eated occasions to enter the firm and
arnest protest OF this government.
there was much of public condemna-
ion of tile treatment of American citi-
ems by alleged Illegal arrests and long
awaiting trial. felt my
rst duty to make instant demands for
he release of American citizens under
rrest Before the change of the Span
sh Cabinet in October last. twenty-five
risoners. citizens of the United States,
ad been given their freedom
The Instructions given to our new
ninister TO Spain before his departure .
0 his post, directed him to Impress up
n chat government the sincere wish
I the United States to lend its aid to-
Yard ending the war in Cuba by reach.
~ a peaceable and lasting result, just