Omaha daily bee., 1897-12-07


times In the past. The story OF Cuba for
many years has been one OF unrest, growing
discomfort, an effort toward a larger enjoy
ment OF liberty and self-control, of organized
resistance TO the mother country,of depression
and distress and warfare, and OF Intellectual
settlement. to be followed by renewed re-
volt. For no enduring period since the en-
franchsement of the continental possessions
OF Spain In the western continent has the
condition OF Cuba or the policy OF Spain to-
ward Cuba not caused concern to tae United
States.
Tho prospect from time to time that the
weakness of Spain's hold upon the island and
the political vicissltudes and embarrass-
ments OF the home government might lead
to the transfer of Cuba to a continental
power, called forth, between 1928 and 1860,
various emphatic declarations OF the policy
OF the United States to permit no disturbance
of Cuba's connection with Spain unless in
the direction of independence acquisition
by tho United States through purchase; nor
has there been any condition to this de-
clared policy since upon the part Of the gov
ernment.
The revolution which began In 1868 lasted
for ten years, despite the strenuous efforts
of the successive peninsular governments to
suppress 1t. Then, as now, the government
OF the United States testified It's grave con-
cern and offered its aid to put an end to
bloodshed in Cuba. The overures made by
General Grant were refused and the war
treasure and increased injury to American
interests besides throwing enhanced bur-
dens OF neutrllity upon this government.
In 1878 peace was brought about by the
truce of zanjon. obtained by negotiations be-
tween the Spanish commander Martinez de
Campos. and the insurgent leaders.
OUTBREAK OF HOSTILITIES.
The present insurrection broke out in
February. 1895. 1t Is not my purpose at
this time to recall its remarkable increase
\ or to characterize its tenacious resistance
against the enormous forces massed against
| 1t 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 sup
| preston. The civilized code of war has been
| disregarded no less so by the Splniards than
! by the Cubans.
The existing conditions cannot but fll this
government and the American people with the
| gravest apprehension. There is no desire on
the part Of our people to profit by the mis-
| fortunes of Spain. We have only the desire
! to see the Cubans prosperous and contented
| enjoying that measure of self-control which
is the inalienlble right of man, projected in
| their right to reap the benefit of the eX-
! hGusteSs treasures of their country.
The offer made by my predecessor in April,
| 1896 rendering the friendly offices of this
| government, failed. Any mediation 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 sub
mission of the rebels to the mother county,
| Then only could Spain act in the promised
! direction, of her own motion and after her
! own plans. The cruel policy of concentra-
tion was initiated February 16, 1896. The
/ productive districts controlled by the Spanish
| armies were depopulated and the agricultural
/ Inhabitants 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 necessary
measure 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 determination.
ABUSE THE RIGHTS OF WAR.
Against this abuse of the rights of war
I have felt constrained on repeated occasions
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 procedure. I felt it my
first duty to make instant demand for the
release or speedy trial of oil American
citizens under arrest. Before the change OF
the Spanish cabinet in October last twenty
two prisoners, citizens of the United Sntes
had been given their freedom.
For the relief of our own citizens suffering
because of the conflict, the aid Of cOngrese
was sought in a special message, and under
the appropriations of April 4, 1897 effective
dIu mas DteH SlNSNl " AutlICdu clllZSuS
in Cuba, and many of them at their own re-
quest have been returned to the United
| States.
The instructions given to our new minister
to Spain before his departure for his pest
directed him to impress upon that govern
ment the sincere wish of the United States
to lend its aid toward the ending of the
war in Cuba by reaching a peaceful and
lasting result, just and honorable alike to
Spain and the Cuban people These instruc-
inrp Tod fln nt1a DNta and It,rn tiSY,
the contest, the widespread losses it entails
the burdens and restraints it imposes upon
u.s. with constant disturbance of national
interests and the injury resulting from an
indefinite continuance of this state of things
1t was stated that at this juGcture ouI
government was constrained to seriously in.
quire If the time was not ripe when Spain
of her own vOlition, moved by her own in.
terests and every sentiment of humanity
should put a stop to this destructive wal
and make proposals of settlement honora
bic to herself and just to her Cuban colony
1t was urged that as a neighboring nation
with large interests in Cuba, we could b,
required to wait only reasonable time fol
the mother country to establish its authority
and restore peace and order within the Dor
ders of the island; that we could not contem
plate an indefinite period for the accom-
piShment of this result.
. NO HUMILIATION TO SPAIN.
No solution was proposed to which thu
| slightest idea of humiliation to Spain coulC
attach ard, indeed, precise proposals were
) withheld to avoid embarrassment to tina
government. All that was asked or expected
. was that some safe why might he speedily
, provided and permanent peace restored. l
so chanced that the consideration Of this
Offer addressed to the same Spanish admin
istration which had declined the tenders o.
my predecessor, and which for more thar
two years had poured men and treasure into
Cuba IN the fruitleps effort to suppress the
revolt fell to others. Between the departure
of General Woodford, the new envoy, end his
arrival in Spain, the statesman who had
shaped the policy of his country fell by the
hand OF an ASSASSIN, and although the cabi
net of the late premier still held office and
received from our envoy the proposals he
bore, that cabinet gave place within few
days thereafter to a new administration
under the leadership of Sagaeta.
The reply to our note received on the
23d day Of October. 1t is in the direction o
a better understanding. 1t appreciates the
friendly purposes of this government. II
admits that our country is deeply affected
by the war in Cuba and that its desires fol
peace arc just. 1t declares that the present
Spanish government is bound by every con.
sderation to a change of policy that should
satisfy the United States and pacify Cubs