Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1897-12-17

protected in their right to reap the bene-
ut OF the exhaustless treasures Of their
country.
The offer made by my predecessor, in
April 1896 rendering the friendly offices
OF this government, failed. and media
tion on our part was not accepted. In
brief. the answer read: There is no ef-
fectual way to pacify Cuba, unless 1t be-
gins with the actual submission of the
rebels TO the mother country. Then only
can Spain act in the promised direction
OF her own motion and after her own
plans.
Concentration IL determination.
The cruel policy OF concentration was
initiated February 1e 1896. The produc-
tive districts controlled by the Spanish
armies were depopulated and the agrl-
cultural 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 necessary measure of war and as a
means OF cutting of supplies from the
insurgents.
II has utterly failed as war measure.
II was not civilized warfare. II was ex-
termination.
Against this abuse Of the rights OF war
have felt constrained. on repeated oc-
casions. to enter the firm and earnest pro-
test OF this government There was much
OF public condemnation of the treatment
OF American citizens by alleged Illegal arr
rests and long imprisonment awaiting
trial OF pending protracted judicial pro-
ccdures felt II my first duty to make
instant demand for the release or speedy
trial OF all American citizens under ar
rest. Before the change Of the Spanish
cabinet. IN October. 70 prisoners, citizens
OF the United States. had been given
their freedom
For the relief of our own citizens suf-
ferIng because OF the conflict, the aid Of
congress was sought in special mes
sage. and under the appropriation Of April
4. 1897, effective aid has been given 70
American citizens IN Cuba, and many Of
them, at their own request. have been
returned TO the United States.
Instructions 10 Minister Woodford.
The instructions given to our new min
lister to Spain, before his departure for
his post. directed him to impress upon
that government the sincere wish Of the
United States to lend its aid toward end
ing the war In Cuba. by reaching peace
full and lasting result. Just and honor
able alike TO Spain and the Cuban people.
These instructions recited the character
and duration of the contest. the wide
spread losses II entails. the burdens and
restraint Il imposes upon us. with con-
stant disturbance OF national interests
and the injury resulting from an indefinite
continuance OF this state of things. II
WAS stated that at this juncture our gov
ernment was constrained to seriously In
Quire II the time was not ripe when Spain,
OF her own volition, moved by her own In
forests and every sentiment OF humanity
should put a stop to this destructive war
and make proposals OF settlement honor
able to herself and just to her Cuban
colony. II was urged that. as a neigh
boring nation with large interests in
Cuba, we could be required to walt only
a reasonable time for the mother coun-
try TO establish its authority and restore
peace and order within the borders OF the
island: that we could not contemplate an
indefinite period for the accomplishment
OF these results.
No solution was proposed to which the
slightest idea of humiliation to Spain
could attach. All that was asked or ex-
pected was that some safe way might be
speedily provided and permanent peace
restored. II so chanced that the consid-
GRAFTON OF this offer. addressed to the
Spanish administration, which had de-
clined the tenders of my predecessor and
WIN " more IMAM tWD years nhG HOhIGd
more treasure into Cuba In the fruitless
effort to suppress the revolt. fell to 9TH
ers. Between the departure of General
Woodford. the new envoy. and his arrival
In SPAIN the statesman who had shaped
the policy of his country fell by the hand
OF an assassin, and although the cabinet
OF the late premier still held Office and re-
ceived from our envoy the proposals he
bore, that cabinet gave place within a
few days thereafter, 10 a new administra-
tion under the leadership of Sagasta.
spain's Friendly Reply.
The reply to our note was received on
the 25d day OF October. 1t is In the direc-
tion OF better understanding. 1t appre-
ciates the friendly proposals of this gov
ernment. Ii admits that our country is
deeply affected by the war In Cuba and
that our desires for peace are just 1t de-
clares that the present Spanish govern
ment is bound by every consideration TO a
change of policy that should satisfy the
United States and pacify Cuba within a
reasonable time. To this end, Spain has
decided TO put into effect the political re-
forms heretofore advocated by the pres
ent premier, without halting for any con-
sideratton In the path which, in its judg-
ment, leads to peace.
The military operations, II Is said, will
continue but viii be humane and con-
Quoted with all regard fer private rights,
being accompanied by political action
leading to the autonomy of Cuba. while
guarding Spanish sovereignty. This. it is
claimed. will result In investing Cuba with
distinct personality. the island TO be
governed by an executive and by q local
council or chamber reserving to Spain
the control OF the foreign relations, the
army and navy and the judicial admins
trations
To accomplish this. the present govern
ment proposes TO modify existing legis-
lation by decree, leaving the Spanish
cortes, with the aid OF Cuban senators
and deputies. to solve the economic prob
lens and properly distribute the existing
debt.
Give Spain = Chance.
In the absence of declaration of the
measures that this government proposes
to take In carrying out its proffer of good
Offices, II suggests that Spain be left free
to conduct military operations and grant
political reforms, while the United States
for It's part shall enforce its neutral obli-
cations, and cut of the assistance which,
Il is asserted, the insurgents receive from
this country. The supposition of an in
definite prolongation of the war is de-
Mad II Ia nsSerted that the Western