The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-05-25

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The insurgents seem today to com
mand a larger part of the island than
ever before. Their men under arms,
estimated a year ago at from ten to
twenty thousand, are conceded to be
at least two Or three times as many.
Meanwhile their discipline has been i'm.
proved and their supply of modern
weapons and equipment has been great
ly enlarged, while the mere fact that
they have held out to this time hes
given them confidence in their own
eyes and prestige with the world at
large.
5 In short, it can hardly bequestioned
that the insurrection instead of
being quelled is to day more formid
able than ever, and enters upon the
second year of it's existence with de
cided prospects of successful results.
Whether a condition of things emitting
the insurgents to recognition as beIlig
erents has yet been brought about, may
for the purposes of the present com
munications be regarded as imma-
terial."
Other portions of the document were
as follows:
even If it be granted that a condi
ton Of insurgency prevails and nothing
more, it is on so large a scale and diff
fused over SO extensive a region and is
so favored by the physical features OF
the climate of the country that the au
thority of Spain is subv9rted and the
actions Of it's government are in Rbey'
ance or practically suspended through,
out q greater part Of the island.
CONTROLS THE ISLAND.
Spain still holds the sea ports and
most Of the notable large towns in the
interior: NEVERTHELESS, a large part Of
the territory of the island is in effect
under the control of rowing bands oil
insurgents, who, if driven > from one
place to day by an exhibition of Eupe
rior force abandon it only to return to.
morrow when that force has moved on
for their dislcdgement in other quar-
ters.
"Outside of the towns still under
Spanish rule anarchy, ~lawlessness, and
terrorism r rampant. The result ie
a systematic war upon the industries
of the island and upon all means by
which they r carried on; and where
as, the normal annual product of the
island is estimated at something like
eighty or one hundred millions, lis
value for the present year is estimated
by competent authority at not exceed.
ing $50, OOO, OOO."
Further On Mr.. Olney calls attention
to the fact that capital is fast with
drawing from the island, frightened
away by the utter hopelessness Of the
outlook"
"Why, he continues, SHOULD it not
beG What can a prudent man foresee
as the outcome of existing conditions
except the complete devastation of the
island, the entire humiliation of its in.
dustries, and the absolute impoverish.
ment Of such of it's inhabitants as are
wise enough or fortunate enough tt
reasonably escape from it. 1t may b
we'll feared that if the present insurrec
ton is to be of shorter duration thar
the last it will be because the end is Il
come sooner or later through the ina
bility Of Spain to prolong the confic
and through her abandonment of tn
island to the heterogeneous combine
ton of elements and of races now il
arms against her."
Such g conclusion Mr.. Olney saiC
would almost inevitably result in a wa
of races with the probable establish
ment of a white and black Republic.
UNITED STATES INTERESTED.
THE situation thus described" b
says, is of great interest to the peopl
of the United States. They are inter
ested in any struggle anywhere for fire.
political institutions, but ~necessaril,
and in special measure in a struggl
that is raging almost in sight Of on
shores. They are interested, as a civ
ilized and Christian nation in thespeed,
termination Of a civil strife character
ICED by exceptional excuses on the par
of both combatants. They are inter
ested in the non interruption of exSer
sive trade relations, which have bee
and should continue to be of great az
vantage to both countries. They ar
interested in the prevention of tina
wholesale destruction Of property O
the island, which, making no discrin
ination between enemies and neutralG
is utterly destroying American inves'
ments that should beof immense valu