The Dickinson press., 1897-12-11
lesoe was birSnght about BY the truce OF
2anjon, obtained BY negotiations be-
tween the Spanish commander, Marines
do campos. aAd the insurgent leaders.

peaco was br6nght about BY the truce OF
2anjon, obtained by negotiations be-
tween the Spanish commander, Martinez
do Campos. and the insurgent leaders.
The Present Iusurreotion.
The present insurrection brokp out In
February, 1896. II is not my purpose at
this time to recall its remarkable increase
OF TO chAract@ft1e It's tenacious resistance
against 1t by Spain. The revolt and the
every quart6f Of the island, developing
wide proportions and defying the Efforts
Of Spain for its suppression. The civilized
% by the Spaniards than by the Cubans.
The existing conditions cannot but fill
this government and the American people
desire ON the part of our people to profit
only the desire to see the Cubans prosper
Gus and contented. enjoying that measure
Of self-control which Is the inalienable
reap the benefits Of the exhaustless treas
ures Of their country.
The offer made by my predecessor in
Of this government failed. Any mediation
on our part va not accepted In brief.
the answer W1a:. ssThere is no effectual
way to paoify Cuba unless it begins with
the actual subniission Of the rebels to the
mother country"
Then only could Spain act In the prom
ised direction Of her own motion and after
her own plan.
The Cruel Policy Of Conosntration.
The cruel policy of concentration was
initiated Feb. 16, 1895. The distsiots con-
trolled by the Spanish armies were de-
populated. 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
of supplies from the insurgents. 1t has
utterly failed as q war measure 1t was
not civilized warfare 1t was extermina-
Hon.
Has Repeatedly Protested.
Against this abuse Of rights of war I
have felt constrained on repeated occa-
sions to enter the firm and earnest pro-
test of this government. There was much
of public condemnation Of the treatment
Of Anlericans citizens by alleged illegal
arrests and long imprisonment awaiting
trial or pending protracted judicial pro.
ceedinga Ifolt 1t my first duty to make
instand demand for the release or speedy
trial Of all American citizens under ar
rest. Beforas the change Of the Spanish
cabinet in October last, ~ prisoners,
citizens Of the United States, had been
given their ftsednm. For the relief Of our
own citizens,Auffering because Of the con.
flict, the aidx congress was sought in a
speoial messAee, and under the appropria-
tion7of April 4, 1897, effective aid has been
givsn to American citizens In Cuba, many
of them at their own request having been
returned to tho United States.
Ministsr, ,Woodford's Instructions.
Tho instructions given to our new min
lister to Spain before his departure for his
post directed him to impress it upon that
government the sincere wish of the Unit
ed States to lend its aid toward the end
ing of the wQr In Cuba by reaching a
peaceful and lasting result, just and hon
orable alike to Spain and the Cuban peo-
pie. These instructions recited the char
acter and duration of the contest, the
widespread losses 1t entails, the burdens
and restraints 1t imposes upon us, 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 juncture our
government was constrained to strenu-
ously inquire If the time was not ripe
when Spain, of her own volition, moved
by her own interests and every sentiment
of humanity; should put stop to this de-
structive war. and make proposals Of set
tlement honorable to herself and just to
her Cuban colony. It was urged that a
neighboring nation with large interests
in Cuba could be required to wait only a
reasonable time for the mother.country to
establish its authority and restore order
within the bArders Of the island; that we
could not Contemplate as indefinite period
for the accomplishment Of this result.
No Humiliation In the Proposal.
No solution was proposed to which the
slightest idea Of humiliation to Spain
could attach, and, indeed, precise pro-
posals were withheld to avoid embarrass-
ment to that government. All that was
asked or expected was that some safe way
might be speedily provided and perma-
nent peace restored. 1t so CHANGED that
the consideration of this offer addressed
to the samo Spanish administration which
had declined the tenders of my predecessor
and which for more than two years had
| poured men and treasure into Cuba in
the fruitless effort to suppress the
revolt, fell to others. Between
the departure of General Woodford, the
new envoy, and his arrival in Spain, the
statesman who had shaped the policy Of
his country "a, the hand Of an assassin,
and although "a 9binet of the late prem
ier still held And received from our
envoy the pfN.9&SAlh he bore, that cabinet
gave place @NaAtks few days thereafter to
new admipAtr5tion under tho leadership
Of Sagasta. fSi
In the Direction Of Better Understanding.
The reply ~ our note was received on
Of a better Understanding. 1t appreciates
the friendly nfoposals Of this government.
It admits thst our country is deeply af-
fected by theMar in Cuba and that its de-
sire for peace, ,is just 1t declares that the
present Spanish government is bound by
every consideration to a change Of policy
that should sttisfy the United States and
pacify Cuba Within a reasonable time To
Gul0 Gnu 6pn1H NaS ueClueu tO pu1 1uGO
effect the POLITICAL reforms heretofore ad.
vocated by thu present premier, without
halting for any consideration in the path
which in it's Judgment leads to peace. The
military preparations will continue, 1t is
said, but will, be humane and be conduct
ed with all regard for private rights, being
accompaniedibyp political action leading to
the autonomy Of Cuba while guarding
Spanish sovNAignty,
In the absehce of declarationlof the
measures that this government proposes
to take in carrying out It's proffer of good
offices, 1t suggests that Spain be left free
to conduct military operations and grant
political reforms, while the United States
for its part shall enforce its neutral obli-
cations and cut of the assistance which,
it is asserted, the insurgents receive from
this country The supposition Of an in
definite prol6ngation of the war 10 dc.
MED. H.t
The immediate amelioration of existing
conditions under tho new administration
Of Cuban affairs IL predicted and there
Withal tho disturbance. and all occasion