Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1897-12-11
THE CUBAN QUESTION.
The Time Not Ripe for Intervention
ON Our Part.

pertaining TO its foreign relations concerns
Its duty toward Spain and the Cuban inSur-
less in common with those now existing
have confronted this government at vari-
US nn IN tne ss been 6n S,ery Oh nSTes sa
growing discomfort; an effort toward a
tTo of orsSnsed Sl to an the motSer
country; of depression after distress and
warfare and of lneffectual settlement to be
Ing period since the enfranchisement of the
western continent has the condition Of
not caused concern to the United States.
The prospect from time to time that the
and the political vicissitudes and embar-
russments of the home government might
lead lea to the transfer Of Cuba to contlnen;,
1860, various emphatic declarations OF the
policy of the United States to permit no dis
unless in the direction of independence or
acquisition by us through purchase: nor
has there been any change OF this declared
policy since upon the part of the govern
ment.
Not Civilized warfare.
The. cruel policy OF coneentratlon was
districts controlled by the Spanish armies
were depopulated. The agricultural inhab-
rlson towns, their lands laid waste and
late cabinet of Spain justified as neces-
ting of SUPPLIES from the insurgents. It has
utterly FAILED as war measure. II was
not civilized warfare. 1t was extermina-
Protests Entered.
Against this abuse of the rights of war
have felt constrained on repeated occa-
test 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, l
felt II my first duty to make instant de;
mand for the release, or speedy trial of all
American citizens under arrest. Before the
change of the Spanish cabinet In October
last % prisoners. citizens of the United
States, had been given their freedom For
the relief of our own citizens suffering be-
cause of the conflict the aid of congress was
the appropriation of April ]. 1897, effective
aid has been given to American citizens In
cuba, many of them at their own request
having been returned to the united states.
The Present Insurrcction.
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 1t by Spain. The revolt and the
efforts to subdue 1t carried destruction to
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 people
with the gravest apprehension. There IS
no desire on the part of our people to
profit by the mlSfortunes of Spain. We
have only the desire to see the Cubans
measure of self control which Is the in
allenable right of man, protected in their
treasures of their country
The offer made by my ,,redecessor in.
OF this government failed. Any mediation
on our part was not accepted. In brief. the
answer read: There is no effectual way
actual submission of the rebels to the
mother country" Then only could pain
motion and after her own plans.
Minister woOdford's Instructions.
The instructions given to our new min
ister to Spain before his departure for his
post directed him to impress upon that gov
States to lend its aid toward the ending
vi the war IN Cuba by reaching a peace
alike 10 Spain and to the cuban people.
Those instructions recited the character
and duration of the contest, the Widespread
losses II entails, the burdens and restraints
II imposes upon US, with constant dis
turbanCe OF national interests and the in
jury resulting from an indefinite contin-
that at this Juncture our government was
constrained TO seriously inquire II the time
was not ripe when Spain of her own Voli-
tion, moved by her own interests and every
sentiment of humanity, should put u stop
posals of settlement honorable to herself
and just to her Cuban colony. 1t was urged
that as neighboring nation, with large in
terestS in Cuba, we could be required to
wait only u reasonable time for the mot her
country to establish its authority and re-
store order within the borders OF the island {:
that we could not contemplate an indefi-
mite period for the Accomplishment Vi ,...s
result
No Humiliation Suggested.
No solution was proposed to which the
ifYh Af % IN L.,
could attach, and indeed precise proposals
were withheld to avoid embarrassment to
or expected was that some safe way might
be speedily provided and permanent peace
restored. 1t so CHANGED that the consider
alton OF this offer, addressed to the same
spanish administration which had declined
the tenders of my predecessor, and which
for more than two years had poured men
fort to suppress the revolt fell to others.
Spain Promises Much.
The reply 10 our note was received on the
Esd day of October 1t Is in the direction OF
rendY purposes of This the
admits that our country is deeply affected
by the war in Cuba. and that its desires
present Spanish government is bound by
every consideration to a change OF policy
pacify Cuba within a reasonable time.
To this end SpaIn has ueciueu 10 put into
hating for any consideration in the pail
which In its Judgment leads to peace. THE
military operations II is said Will continue
but will be humane and conducted with All
regard for private rights, being accom-
panied by political action leading 10 the
autonomy of cuba While guarding Spanish
sovereignty. This, II Is claimed, will result
IN investing Cuba with distinct person.
ality; the island to be governed by an eX-
ecutive and by Il local council or cnaInber
reserving to Spain the control of the for,
eign relations, me hear army and navy and the
TINS the present government proposes to
modify eXlsrlns legislation by decree, ieav.
ing the Spanish cortes. with the aid of
Cuban senator's and deputies, to solve the
economic problem ana properly uIslribiIie
the, existing debt. In the absence OF a
declaration of the measure that this pov
ernment proposes to take in CARVING oi,t
its prolter OF good offices 1t suggests tbs I
SPAN be left free to conduct miIitaTv
Operations and grant political reforms,
while the United States, for its part shali
enforce its neutral obligations and cut oif
the assistance walch Il is asserted the in
surgents receive from this country The
supposition or an indefinite prolongat tion of
the war Is dealed, 1t is asserted that The
western provinces @ are already well-nigh re-
claimed; that nc planting Of cane and To-
pacco therein has been resumed and thS I