The herald., 1897-05-20
THE SECRET
ARCHIVES
Reveal Facts Concerning
Cuba's War
MEDIATION WAS PROFFERED
AND AMERICAN AID DECLINED
BY SPAIN
u.
MEDIATION WAS PR0FFERED
Consular Reports Show Conditions
More Horrible Than Ever Cor
respondent Painted Them
Associated Press Special Wire.

hdNC AiClo tiC SOllouldl iGPOA 20 u tiC
Cuban war from the public. were par
TALLY disclosed today by Senator For
aker of Ohio. During the past week the
debate in the senate has been pregnant
with intimations and innuendoes of re-
ports from United States officials in
Cuba, held at the state department.
which, if published, would disclose a con-
dition on Cuban soil which would influ-
ence public opinion in decided manner.
The facts. therefore, which Senator
Foraker announced without stating
from whom they came, created decided
stir. Especially startling was the letter
from Secretary Olney, in which this
country offered mediation to Spain and
the refusal of that country to accept the
proffered aid
While one Of the consul reports was
read without the name of the author
being disclosed, it is stated to be COM
munication from General Lee, which
fully sets forth his idea of the conditions
that exist in Cuba.
! The extract was quoted as follows no
date being given:
| CdiHOI tUG tTutII Ol tHe
claim that all the provinces of the island
are pacified except that Of Santiago de
Cuba, because there are more insurgents
under arms at this time than at the
period first reached the island, some ten
months ago, and I do not think it a fair
inference to draw from existing condi-
| tions that the war Is approaching a ter
mination, because in Pursuance Of an es-
tablished policy the insurgents avoid as
far as possible all serious engagements
"The impossibility of expelling the
Spanish troops from this island by force
of arms is we'll known to them, and they
do not propose to risk the lives of their
men or the success Of their cause upon
one or more pitched battles. I con-
clude, therefore, that the war will drag
its weary length along so long as the
| insurgents can dig sustenanace from the
ground on one side or money be obtained
by the other with the continued result
Of untold human suffering, loss OF
human life, murder of innocent men,
women and children by both sides and
the frightful havoc which disease makes
in the ranks of soldiers, particularly
among the unacclimated Spaniards The
poverty and distress OF the people are
increasing and the loss of property of
all sorts daily becoming more enormous.
No one can fully appreciate the situa-
tion without being here in person. The
number of poor, distressed, starving
women, children and old men Of all
races has greatly increased in this city
within the past few weeks, while in other
points on the island the suffering has
been proportionately great"
The letter of Secretary Olney to Span
ish Minister de LONE, under date OF
April 4, 1896, is the one in which inter-
vention is suggested In opening Mr..
Olney said:
1T might be well deemed dereliction
of duty to the government of the United
States, as we'll as a censurable want of
candor to Spain, If were longer to de-
fer official expression, as well of the
anxiety with which the president re-
CARDS the existing situation in Cuba as
Of his earnest desire for the prompt and
permanent pacification of the island.
ANY plan giving reasonable assurance
OF that result and not inconsistent with
the just rights and reasonable demands
of all concerned would earnestly be pro-
noted by him by all means which the
constitution and laws Of this country
place at his disposal.
1T is now nine or ten months since the
nature and prospects of the insurrec-
tion were first discussed between us.
1.-THE insurgents seem today to COM
mand larger part of the island than
ever before. Their men under arms. es-
timated a year ago at from 10000 to
10000, are now conceded to be at least
while, their discipline has been improy-
ed and their supply Of modern weapons
and equipment has been greatly enlarg-
ed, while the mere fact that they have
held out to this time has given them
confidence in their own eyes and prestige
with the world at large. In short, it can
hardly be questioned that the insurrec-
ton, instead of being quelled, is today
more formidable than ever and enters
on the second year Of its existence with
decidedly improved prospects of suc-
cussful results
Mr.. Olney suggests that neither Spain
nor the Cubans can reasonably object to
intervention, and adds that if anything
is to be done it should be done at once
and on Spain's initiative. In closing he
says the communication is prompted by
the friendliest feelings towards Spain
and the Spanish people, and adds:
ITO attribute to the United States any
hostile or hidden purposes would be a
grave and most lamentable error The
United States has no designs upon Cuba
and no designs against the sovereignty |
of SPAIN"
Foraker read only the following ex-
tract from De Lome's reply, which was
dated June 4, 1896: "In brief, there is
no effectual way to pacify Cuba, unless
1t begins with the actual submission of
the armed rebels to the mother country"
AGLOOMY PICTURE