The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-05-20
CONDITIONS IN CUBA
Partial Disclosure Of Important Secret
Archives Of State
FORAKER BRINGS THEM OUT
Startling Letters From oiney and
Consul Lee That Have Been
Withheld From the Public
A Decided Stir.

"aShhstou, MAY lf.-lne secret
archives OF the state department which
have held the consular reports OF the
Cuban war from the public were par
tally disclosed to-day by Senator For
aker Of Ohio. During the past week
the debate In the senate has been preg-
nant with intimations and inuendoes
OF reports from United States officials
In Cuba. held at the state department,
which. IL published. would disclose a
condition on Cuban soil which would
influence public opinion in a decided
manner The facts therefore which
Senator Foraker announced without
stating from whom they came created
decided stir. Especially startling was
The letter from Secretary olney In
which this country offered mediation
to Spain and the refusal of that coun-
try TO accept the proffered aid.
While one OF the consular reports was
read without the name of the author
being disclosed, Il Is stated to be
communication from General Lee.
which fully sets forth his idea of the
conditions that exist I'm Cuba. The ex-
tract was quoted as follows, no date
being given: II cannot understand the
truth of the claim that all the provinces
- wv Fa'iii'h f&NtBt AhdN w
Santiago de Cuba. because there are
more insurgents under arms at this
time than at that period. | first
reached the Island some 10 months ago
and | do not think II "A fair inference to
draw from existing conditions that the
war is approaching a termination. be-
cause in pursuance of an established
policy the insurgents avoid. as far as
possible, all serious engagements. The
impossibility of expelling the Spanish
troops from this island by force Of
arms Is well known tn them and they
do not propose to risk the lives OF their
men or the success OF their cause upon
one or more pitched battles | conclude
therefore that the war will drag Its
weary length as long as the insurgents
can dig sustenance from the ground on
one side, or money be obtained by the
other. with the continued result OF un-
told human suffering. loss OF human
life. the murder of innocent men. wo-
men and children on both sides and the
frightful havoc which disease makes In
the ranks of soldiers. particularly
among the unacclimated Spaniards.
The poverty and distress Of the people
are increasing and the loss Of property
OF all sorts daily becoming more enor-
nous. No one can fully appreciate the
situation without being here In person.
The number of poor distressed. starv-
ing women. children and old men Of all
races has greatly increased In this
city within the past few weeks. while
In other points ON the island the suf-
fering has been proportionately great"
The letter of Secretary Oiney to Span
ish Minister de LONE under date OF
April 4. 1896. Is the one In which inter-
vention is suggested. In opening. MIR.
Olney said:
1T might he well deemed a derelic-
tion of duty to the government OF the
United States as well as a censurable
want of candor To Spain II I were
longer to defer official expression, as
well OF the anxiety with which the
president regards the existing situation
in Cuba, and OF his earnest desire for
the prompt and permanent pacification
OF the island, Any plan giving reason
able assurance of that result and not
inconsistent with the Just rights and
reasonable demands of all concerned
could earnestly he promoted by him by
all means which the constitution and
laws OF this country place at his dis
posal. IL IL now nine or ten months
since the nature and prospects Of the
tnsurrection were first discussed he
tween us. In explanation OF It's rapid
and up to that time. quite unopposed
growth and progress. you called atten-
ton Ia the rainy season which from
June to November renders military
operations impracticable. Spain was
pouring such numbers Of troops into
Cuba that your theory and opinion
that. when they could be used in al
active campaign the insurrection would
be almost instantly suppressed. seemed
.laL In,
ticular you said and sincerely believed
that the present insurrection would Of.
fer a most marked contrast to thai
which began In 1865. which being feebl,
encountered with comparatively smal
forces. prolonged its life for upward,
| of 10 years.
1t IL impossible to deny the expecta
tions thus entertained by you In tn,
summer and fall OF 1895 and shared no
merely by all Spaniards. but by mos
dlsinterested observers as well, hay,
been completely disappointed. The In
surgents seem to-day To command /;
larger part OF the island than ever be
fore. Their men under arms estimate,
a year ago at from 10000 to 10000 ar
now conceded To be at least two o
three times as many. In short. II car
hardly be questioned that the lnsur
rection. instead OF being quelled. Is to
4 day more formidable than ever and en-
tiers on the second year OF It's existence
with decidedly improved prospects o
/ successful results"
Other portions OF this document wer'
/ as follows:
| Spain still holds the seaports an'
most. II not all. the large towns In tn
interior. Nevertheless a vast area o
territory Is under control OF rovin,
bands OF insurgents. which, II driver
from one place. to-day. by an exhibi
/ tion Of superior force. abandon II onll
to return tomorrow. when that fore
has moved on for their dislodgment II
other quarters. The authority OF Spaii
Is subverted and the functions OF III
government are in allegiance or practl
cally suspended throughout the agricul
tural part of the island"