The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-12-07

revolt. For no enduring period since
the Acknowledgement of the continental
possession Of Spain in the western con-
tinent has the condition OF Cuba or
the policy of Spain toward Cuba nat
caused concern to the United States.
| The prospect from time to time that
the weakness Of Spain's hold upon the
island and the present vicissitudes and
embarrassment Of the home govern
merlt might lead to the transfer of Cuba
to a continental power called forth, be-
tween 1923 and 1860, various emphatic
declarations Of the policy Of the United
States to permit no disturbance of Gu
bas connection with Spain unless in
the direction of independence or acaui-
sltion by us through purchase; nor has
there been any change Of this declared
policy since upon the part of the gov
eminent.
The revolution which began in 1868
lasted for ten years, despite the siren
uous efforts of the successive peninsular
governments to suppress 1t. Then as
now the government of the United
States testified it's grave concern ana
offered it's aid to put an end to blood
shed in Cuba. The overtures made by
General Grant were refused and the
war dragged on, entailing great loss of
| life and treasure and increased injury
to American interests besides throwing
enhanced burdens of neutrality upon
this government. In 1878 peace was
brought about by the truce of Zanjon.
obtained by negotiations between the
Spanish commander, Martinez de Cam
pos, and the insurgent leaders.
The present insurrection broke out in
February, 1896 1t is not my purpose at
this time to recall Its remarkable in
crease or to characterize It's tenacious
resistance against the enormous forces
massed against 1t by Spain The re-
volt and the efforts to subdue 1t car
ried 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
this government and the American peo-
pie with the gravest apprehension.
There is no desire ON the part Of our
people to profit by the misfortunes Of
Spain. We have only the desire to see
| tuC Supeblio PlooPClOoo anu SOieGiitCN,
enjoying that measure Of self-centrol
which is the inalienable right Of man,
protected in their right to reap the ben
eft of the exhaustless treasures Of their
country. The offer made by my prede-
cesser in April, 1895, rendering the
friendly offices of this government fail
ed. Any mediation on our part was not
accepted. In brief the answer read:
There is no effectua1 way to paeify
Cuba unless 1t begins with the actual
submission Of the rebels to the mother
country"
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 February 16, 1896. The pro-
ductive districts controlled by the Span
ish armies were depopulated. The agri-
cultural inhabitants were herded In the
garrison towns, their lands laid In waste
and their dwellings destroyed. This
policy Spain justified as another meas
tire of war and as means of cutting
off supplies from the insurgents. 1t has
utterly failed as a war measure 1t was
not civilized warfare. 1t was extermin-
alton.
Firm and Earnest Protest.
Against this abuse of the rights Of
war have felt constrained on repea ted
occasions to enter the firm and earnest
protest of this government. There was
much of public condemnation of the
treatment Of American citizens by all
legged illegal arrests and long imprison-
tment awaiting trial or pending pro-
ttacted judicial proceedings. / felt 1t
my first duty to make instant demand
for the release or trial of all American
citizens under arrest. Before the
change Of the Spanish cabinet In Octo-
Der last twenty-five prisoners, citizens
of the United States, had been given
their freedom
For the relief of our own citizens, sur
fering because Of the conflict, the aid
Of congress was sought in special mes
sage.
The instructions given to our new
minister to Spain before his departure
for his post directed him to impress up
on that government the sincere wish OF
the United States to lend its aid toward
the ending of the war in Cuba by reach
ing lasting result, just and honorable
to Spain and to the Cuban people.
These instructions recited the character
and duration of the contest, the vide
spread losses it entails, the burdens and
restraints 1t imposes upon u.s. with con-
slant disturbance Of national interests
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