The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-12-11
THE CUBAN ESTION.
Island Must Not Pass Into the Hands
of Another Power.

The most important problem with which
this government is now called upon to deal
pertaining to its foreign relations con-
Germs it's duty toward Spain and the
Cuban insurrection. Problems and COndi-
tions more or less in common with those
now existing have confronted this gov
ernment at various times in the past. The
story of Cuba for many years has been one
or unrest, growing discomfort, effort
toward a larger enjoyment of liberty and
self control, of organized resistance to the
mother country. Of depression after dis
tress and warfare and of Intellectual settle
ment TO be followed by renewed revolt
For no enduring period since the en-
franchisement of the continental posses
sions of Spain in the Western continent
has the condition of Cuba or the policy of
Spain toward Cuba not caused concern to
the United States.
The prospect from time to time that the
weakness of Spains hold upon the island
and the political viciSsitudes and embar-
easements of the home government might
lead to the transfer Of Cuba to a con-
tinentdl power called forth, between 1923
and 1860, various emphatic declarations of
the policy of the United States TO permit
no disturbance of Cuba's connection with
Spain unlsS in the direction of independ-
ence or acquisition by us through pur-
chase: nor has there been any change of
this declared policy since upon the part
of the government.
The revolution which began in 1868
lasted for len years, despite the strenuous
efforts Of the successive peninsular gov
ernments to suppress it, Then. as now
the government of the United States testi-
fed its grave concern and offered its
aid to put an end to bloodshed in Cuba
The overtures made by Gen. Grant were
refused and the war dragged on, entailing
great loss Of life and treasure and in
creased injury TO American interests. be
sides throwing enhanced burdens of neu-
trality on the government. In 1878 peace
was brought about by the truce of Zanjon
obtained by negotiations between the
Spanish commander, Martinez de Campos
and the insurgent leaders.
Code Of War Disregarded.
The present insurrection broke out in
February, 1898. 1t is not my purpose at
this time to recall its remarkable increase
or to characterize it's tenacious resistance
against the enormous forces masSed
against it by Spain. The revolt and the
efforts to subdue it carried destruction to
every quarter of the island, developing
wide proportions and defying the efforts
of Spain for its suppression. The civilized
code OF war has been disregarded no less
so by the Spaniards than by the Cubans
The existing conditions cannot but fill
with the gravest apprehension. There is
no desire on the part of our people to
profit by the msfortUnes of Spain. We
have only the desire TO see the Cubans
prosperous and COntented, enjoying that
measure OF self control which is the in
alienable right OF man, protected in their
right to reap the benefit of exhaustleSs
treasures of their country.
The offer made By my predecessor in
April, 1896 rendering the friendly offices
of this government. failed. Any media
ton on our part was not accepted. In
brief the answer read:
There is no effectual way to pacify
Cuba unless it begins with the actual
submission of the rebels to the mother
Then only. could Spain act in the
promised direction of her own motion and
after her own plans.
The cruel policy Of concentration was
initiated Feb Is. 1896. The prospective
districts controlled by the Spanish armies
habitants were herded in and about the
garrison towns. their lands laid waste and
their dwellings destroyed. This policy the
late cabinet of Spain justified as a neces-
Sarv measure Of war and as a means Of
cutting off supplies from the insurgents
It has utterly failed war measure. It
was not civilized warfare. 1t was cxter
mination.
Against this abuse Of the rights Of war
| have felt constrained on repeated occd-
sions to enter the firm and earnest protest
of this government. There was much of
public condemnation Of the treatment Of
American citizens by alleged illegal arrests
and long imprisonment awaiting trial or
pending protraCted judicial proceedings.
I felt il my first duty TO make instant de
maad for the release or speedy trial Of all
American citizens under arrest. Before the
change Of the Spanish cabinet. in October
last. twenty-five prisoners, citizens Of the
United States had been given their free
dom.
For the relief Of our own citizens, suf-
fering because of the conflict the aid Of
congress was sought in q special message.
and under the appropriation Of April 1,
1897 effective aid has been given to AmeTi-
can citizens in Cuba. many of them az
their own request having been returned TO
the United States.
Instructions to Woodford.
The instructions given to our new min