The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-07

could Spain act in the promised direction
OF her own motion and after her own
plans" The cruel policy of concentra-
zion was initiated February, 1896. The
productive districts controlled by the
Spanish armies were depopulated. The
agricultural inhabitants were herded in
and about the garrison towns, their
lands laid waste and their dwellings de-
stroyed. This policy the late cabinet
or Spain justified as a necessary me1s-
ure of war and as a means of cutting
OH supplies of the insurgents. 1t utter
" Failed as a war Measure. 1t was
not civilized warfare. 1t was extermin-
alton. Against this abuse of alhe rules
of war have felt constrained on re-
peafed occasions to enter the firm and
earnest protest of this government.
There was much injustice done 10 Amer-
lean citizens by Illegal arrests and long
imprisonment awaiting trial, or pend
ing probracted judicial proceedings. I
felt 1t my first duty to make instant de-
nandS for ME release or speedy trial of
all American citizens under arrest. Be-
fore the change of the Spanish cabinet,
October last, Twenty-Five prisoners, cit
liens of the United States. had been
given sheir freedom.
For the relief of our own citizens, suf-
fea'ing because of the conflict, the aid of
congress was asked in a special mes
sage and effective aid has been given
to American citizens in Cuba. more of
them at their own request have been
returned to the United States. The
instructions given our new minister to
Spain before his departure for his post
directed him DO impress upon that gov
eminent the sincere wish of the United
States to. lend its aid towards ending
alle war in Cuba by reaching a peaceful
and lasting result, just and honorable
alike to Spain and to the Cuban people.
These instructions recpted the charac-
ter and duration of the contest, the
widespread losses it entails, the burdens
and restraints 1T imposes upon us with
constant disturbance of national inter
ests and the injury resulting from an
indefinite continuance of this stale of
things 1t was ait this juncture our
government was constrained to seriously
inquire il the time was not ripe when
Spain of her own volition moved by her
own Interests and every sentiment of
humanity should put stop to this de-
struotfve war and make proposals of set
tlement honorable to herself and just
THAT as a neighborfng naiion with large
interests in Cuba, we could be required
to wait only reasonable time for the
mother country to establish its author
ity and restore peace and order within
afe borders of the island, that we could
not contemplate an indefinite period for
the accomplishment of this result.
No solution was Proposed 10 which the
slightest idea of humiliation to Spain
could attach and indeed precise propos-
ais were Wi lllheld to avoid embarrass-
ment to that government. All that was
asked or expected was that some safe
way might be speedily provided and
permanent peace restored. 1t so CHANGED
that consideration of his offer addressed
to the same Spanish administration
which declined 1.-The tenders of my pre-
decessor and which for mora than two
years had poured men and treasure into
Cuba in the fruitlesS effort to suppress
the revolt, fell to others. Between the
departure of Gen. Woodford, the new
envoy, and his arrival in Spain the
statesman, who had shaped the policy of
his country, fell by the hand of as
sassn 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 thereafter to a new administra-
tion, under the leadership of Sagasta.
The reply to our note was received on
Oct. 23. 1t was in the direction of a
better unders, anding. 1t appreciates
the friendly purpose of this government.
1t admits that our country is deeply af-
fected by tine war in Cuba and that dts
desires for peace are just. 1t declares
shat the present Spanish government is
bound by every consideration to
change of policy that should satisfy the
United States and pacify Cuba within
a reasonable time. To this end Spain
has decided DO put into effect the poll :
ical reforms heretofore advocated by
the present premier, without hallting I'M
der any consideration in the path which
in its Judgment leads 20 success. The
military operations wild be continued
but will be humane and conducted with
all regard for private rights being ac-
companied, by political action leading
to autonomy to Cuba, while guarantee
ing Spanish sovereignty. This, 1t is
claimed will result i'm vesting Cuba with
a distinct government, the island is to be
governed by an executive and by local
council or Cuban parliament, reserving
to Spain international arrangements, the
army and navy and judicial affairs. Ac-
cording to his the government proposes
to modify existing Legislation by decree
leaving the Spanish cortes with the aid
of Cuban senator's and deputies to solve
the economical problem and properly
distribute the existing debt
ta.f Let Spain Have Its Way.
In advance of &he declaration of meas
ures the government intends to take
and in order to carry out its tender of
good offices it suggests that Spain be
left free in ITS military operations and
municipal reforms, while the United
States for the present enforce it's neu-
trallty obligations and cut off the as
sistance which 1t is asserted the insur-
gents receive from Ghis country. The
supposition of indefinite prolongatlon of
the war is denied. 1t is asserted the