The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-05-27
MUCH TALKED OF CONSULAR AND
OTHER CUBAN Disclosures
GIVEN TO THE PUBLIC.
boosted PAC|HCA1|ON IS 4 MYTH
According 10 Gen. Lee the Ins1r-
gents Are Stronger Than Ever.
spain Refused OIney's Prof
fered Mediation.

of Ohio During the past week the de-
bate in the senate has been pregnant will
limitations and innuendocs of reports
from United States officials in Cuba held
mt the state department, which, if pub
lished, would disclose condition IL
Cuba which would influence public Opin'
ion in a decided manner.
The fact, therefore, when Senator
Foraker announced them without stating
from whence they came, created de-
cided stir. Especially startling was the
letter from Secretary Olney in which
this country offered mediation to Spain,
and the refusal of that country to accept
the proffered aid.
While one Of the consular reports was
read without the name Of the author
being disclosed, it is stated to be COM
munication from Consul General Lee,
which fully sets forth his idea of the
condition that exists in Cuba.
The extract was quoted as follows, no
date being given:
IL can not understand the truth of the
claim that all the provinces of the island
are pachied except that of Santiago de
Cuba, because there are more insurgents
under arms at this time than at the pc
Rod entered the island. some ten months
ago, and ! do not think il fair infer
that the war Is approaching n tcrmina-
ton, because in pursuance of an estab-
]ished policy the insurgents avoid as fur
as possible all serious engagements.
"The impossibility of expelling the
Spanish troops from this island by force
of arms il well known to them and they
do not propose to risk the lives of their
men and the success of their cause upon
one or more pitched battles. ! concluded,
therefore. that the war would draw it's
weary length along so long as the insur-
gents can dig sustenance from the ground
on the one side or money be obtained
on the other, with the continued result
of untold human suffering, loss of human
life, the murder Of innocent men, women
and children by both sides and the fright
full havoc which disease makes in the
ranks Of the soldiers, particularly among
the unacclimated Spanards, The poverty
and distress Of the people is increasing
and the loss of property OF al sorts are
becoming more enormous. No one can
fully appreciate the situation without
being here in person. The number OF
Door, distressed, starving women, chill
dren and old men of all races have great
ly increased In this city within the past
few weeks, while at other points on the
island the suffering has been proportion
ately greater"
The letter from Secretary Olney to
Spanish Minister De LONE, under date
of April 4, 1896, is the one in which in
Prevention Is suggested. In opening, Mr..
Olney said:
1T might well be deemed dereliction
of duty to the government of the United
States, us well as n considerable want
of candor to Spain, if | were longer to
delay official representation as well as to
convey the anxiety with which the pres
ident regards the existing situation in
Cuba and Of his earnest desire for the
prompt and permanent pacifcation of that
island. Any plan giving reasonable as
of that result and not inconsistent
with the just rights and reasonable de-
mands of all concerned would be ear
nestly promoted by him 10y all means
which the constitution and laws of this
country place ut his disposal.
1T IL now some nine or ten months
since the nature and prospects of the in |
were first discussed between
us. In explanation Of its rapid, and up
to that time quite unopposed growth and
progress, you called my attention to the
rainy season which from May or June
until November renders regular military
operations impracticable. Spain was
pouring such numbers of troops into Cuba |
that your theory and opinion that when |
they could be used in an active campaign
the instruction would be almost instant
ly suppressed, seemed reasonable and
probable. In this particular you said
and sincerely believed that the present
would offer marked con-
trast to that which began in 1868 and
which, being encountered with compara-
lively small forces, prolonged its life for
upwards of ten years.
1T il impossible to deny that the OK
pectations thus entertained by you by
the summer and fall of 1895 have been
disappointed the insurgents
seem today to command a larger part
OF the island than ever before. Their
men under arms, estimated year ago
at from 10000 to 10000, are now con
coded to be at least two or three times
as many. Meanwhile their discipline has
been improved and their supply of mod
ern weapons and equipment has been
greatly enlarged, while the mere fact
that they have held out to this time has
given them confidence in their own eve
and prestige with the world ut large. In
short, 1t can hardly be questioned that
the instruction, instead of being quelled,
is today more formidable than ever and
enters on the second year of its existence
with decidedly improved prospects of sue
cessful results. Whether n condition of
things emitting the insurgents to recog-
milton as belligerents has vet been
brought about may for the purposes of the
present communication be regarded MS
Other portions of the document were
ms follows:
Even if it be granted. that condi-
ton OF insurgency prevails and nothing
more. 1t is on so large n scale and can
be diffused over so extensive region
and is so favored by the physical features
of the climate of the country that the au-
thority Of Spain is subverted and the
functions of its government are in abey-
ance or practically suspended throughout
a greater part of the island. Spain still
holds the seaports and most il not all.
the larger towns in the interior. Never
theless, q vast area of the territory of
the island is in effect under the control
of rowing bands of insurgents, which. il
driven from one place by an exhibition
of superior force, abandons it only to re-
turn to IL when that force moves on for
their disl0dgement in other places.
Further on Mr.. 0lney calls attention
TO the fact that capital is fast withdraw
ing from the island. frightened away
by the utter hopelessness of the outlook"
why" he continues, "should il be?
What can prudent man foresee as the
outcome of the existing conditions ex-
cept the complete devastation of the ISL
and, the entire humiliation Of its indus
tries and the absolute impoverishment of
its inhabitants, who are unwise or I'M
fortunate enough not to seasonably es-