The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-06

account. TO this plan i invite your
careful consideration.
1 concur with the secretary OF the
treasury I'm his recommendation that ma
tional banks be allowed 10 issue notes to
the face value OF the bonds which they
have deposited for circulation. and that
the tax on circulating notes secured by
deposit OF such bonds be reduced TO one
haif OF ONE per cent per annum. l also
join him In recommending that authority
be given for the establishment OF national
banks OF minimum capital stock of S25.-
900. This will enable the smaller villages
ana agricultural regions OF the country
10 be supplied with currency 10 meet
their needs. I recommend that the issue
OF national bank notes be restricted TO
the denomination OF $40 and upwards. II
the suggestions have herein made shall
have the approval OF congress. then j
would recommend that national banks
be required 10 redeem their notes in gold.
CUBAN INSURRECTION.
The most important problem with
which this government is now called
upon to deal Is pertaining 10 it's foreign
relations and concerning It's duty toward
Spain and the Cuban instruction. Prob
lens and conditions, more or less COM
mon with those now existing. have con-
fronted thu government at various
times In the past. The story OF Cuba
for many years has been one OF unrest.
OF growing discomfort. OF an effort to-
self-control: OF organi ed resistance to
the mother country; OF depression after
distress and warfare, and OF Intellectual
settlement. 90 be followed by renewed
revolt.
For no enduring period since the en-
franchisement OF the continental pos
sessions of Spain in the western conti-
nent has the condition OF Cuba or the
policy OF Spain toward Cuba not caused
concern 20 the United States. The pros
pect from time TO ume that the weak
ness OF SPANS hold upon the island and
the present yicissitudes and embarrass-
ments OF the home government might lead
10 the transfer Of Cuba 10 continental
power called forth. between 1923 and 1860,
various emphatic declarations OF the pol
Icy OF the United States TO permit no dis
turbance OF Cuba'S connection with Spain
unless In the direction OF independence or
acquisition by us through purchase; nor
has there been any change of this de-
clared policy since, upon the part OF the
government. The revolution which began
in 1868 lasted for ten years. despite tho
strenuous efforts OF the successive penin-
sular governments to suppress it, Then.
az now the government of the United
States testified iG grave concern and Of
fered It's aid 10 pdt an end TO bloodshed
In Cuba. The overtures made by Gen.
Grant were refused and the war dragged
on, entaling great loss OF life and treas
ure and increased injury to American
interests, besides throwing enhanced bur-
dens OF neutrality upon this government.
In 1878 peace was brought about by the
truce OF Zanjon, obtained by negotiations
between the Spanish commander. Mar
tinez de Campos, and the insurgent
leaders.
The present insurrection broke out in
February, 1895. IL is not my purpose at
this time TO recall it's remarkable in
crease. or TO characterize its tenacious
resistance against the enormous forces
massed against IL by Spain. The revolt
and the efforts to subdue It carried de-
struction TO every quarter OF the island.
developing vide proportions and defying
the efforts of Spain for its suppression.
The civilized code of war has been dis
regarded, 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
IL no desire on the part OF our people to
profit by the misfortunes of Spain. We
have only the desire TO see the Cubans
prosperous and contented. enjoying that
measure OF self-control which Is the i'm
aienable right OF man, protected in their
right to reap the benefit of the exhaust
less treasures Of their country. The offer
MADE py my predecessor in April 1895.
rendering the friendly offices OF this gov
ernment failed. Any mediation on our
part was not accepted In brief the am
swer read: There is no effectual way
TO pacify Cuba unless II begins with the
actual submission OF the rebels to tho
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 Feb. ls. 1896. The productive dis
tricts controlled by the Spanish armies
were depopulated. The agricultural in
habitants were herded I'm and about the
garrison towns, their lands laid waste and
their dwellings, destroyed. This policy
the late cabinet of Spain justified as a nec-
essary measure of war and as a means Of
cutting off supplies from the insurgents.
IL has utterly failed as a war measure
IL was not civilized warfare: IL was ex-
termination. Against this abuse of the
rights Of war. | 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 judi
cial proceedings. | felt IL my first duty to
make demand for the release or speedy
trial of all American citizens under arr
rest Before the change OF the Spanish
CO binet in October last. % prisoners, citi-
zens of the United States had been given
their freedom.
For the relief OF our own citizens suf-
ferlng because of the conflict the aid of
congress was sought I'm n special message,
and under the appropriation OF April L.
1897. effective aid has been given TO Ameri-
can citizens In Cuba, many OF them at
their own request having been returned
to the United States. The Instructions
gwen 10 our new minister 90 Spain before
his departure for his post, directed him
TO impress upon that government the sim
cere wish OF the United States 10 lend
its aid toward the ending OF the war in
Cuba by reaching peaceful and lasting
result. just and honorable alike TO Spain
and TO the Cuban people. These instruc-
tions recited the character and duration
of the contest. the widespread losses IL en-
tails. the burdens and restraints " inn
poses upon us. with constant disturbance
OF national interests and the injury result
Ing from an indefinite continuance Of this
state OF things, II was stated that at
this tunoture our government was con-