Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-12-09

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FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The most important problem with which
this government is now called to deal, pertain
ing to its foreign relations, concerns It's duty
toward Spain and the Cuban insurrection.
Problems and conditions more or less in COM
mon with those now existing have confronted
| this government at various times In the past
The story of Cuba for many years has been one
| of unrest; growing discomfort; an effort toward
larger enjoyment of liberty and self-control;
of organized resistance to the mother country;
Of depression after distress and warfare, and
| OF Intellectual settlement to be followed by re-
newed revolt For no enduring period since
the acknowledgements Of the continental possess
sion of Spain in the western continent has the
condition of Cuba, or the policy Of Spain to-
ward Cuba not caused concern to the United
States
The War in Cuba.
| The present insurrectlon broke out in Febru-
| airy, 1895 1t Is not my purpose at this time to
recall its remarkable increase or to character
| iZe its tenacious resistance against the enor-
nous forces massed against it by Spain. The
| revolt and the efforts to subdue it carried de-
struction to every quarter Of the island, devel-
| oping 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 exist
| ing conditions cannot but fill this government
and the American people with the gravest ap-
prehension. There is 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 in
alienable right of man, protected in their right
to reap the benefit Of the eXhauStleSS treasures
of their country.
The offer made by my predecessor in April,
1896, rendering the friendly offices Of this gov
eminent failed, Any mediation on our part
was not accepted, In brief the answer read;
There is no eilectual way to pacfy Cuba UNI
less it begin with the actual submission of the
rebels to the mother" Then only could Spain
act in the promised direction of her own mo-
ton and after her own plans. The cruel policy
of concentration was initiated February 10,
1896 The productive districts controlled by
the Spanish armies were depopulated and the
agricultural inhabitants were herded in and
about the garrisoned towns, their land laid
waste and their dwellings destroyed. This policy
of the late cabinet of Spain was justified as n
necessary measure of war and as a means Of
cutting of supplies from the insurgents 1t
has utterly failed as q war measure, 1t was
not civilized warfare. 1t was determination.
Release of American Prisoners.
Against this abuse of the rights of war have
felt constrained on repeated occasions to enter
the firm and earnest protest of this govern
ment There was much Of public condemna-
ton of the treatment of American citizens by
alleged illegal arrests and long Imprisonment
awaiting trial or pending protracted judicial
procedure. l felt it my first duty to make in
slant demand 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 because Of the
conflict the aid Of congress- was sought in a
special message, and under the appropriation
of April 4, 1897, effective aid has been given to
American citizens in Cuba. Many Of them, At
their own request, have been returned to the
United States.
Instructions to Our Minister.
The instructions given to our minister to
Spain before his departure for his post directed
him to impress upon that government the sim
cere wish of the United States to lend its aid
toward the ending Of the war in Cuba by reach
ing peaceful and lasting result, just and hon
orable alike to Spain and to the Cuban people.
These instructions recited the character 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 inden-
mite continuance Of this state of things. 1t was
stated that at this juncture our government
was constrained to seriously inquire II 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 destructive war and make proposals
of settlement honorable to herself and just to
hos Trttha tyng hat
neighboring nation, with large interests in
Cuba, we could be required to wait only rea-
sonabe time for the mother country 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 this result No solution
was proposed to which the slightest idea Of
humiliation to Spain could attach, and indeed
precise proposals were withheld to avoid en-
barrassment to that government All that was
asked or expected was that some safe way
might be speedily provided and permanent
peace restored
Reply to Our Note.
The reply to our note was received on the
23d day of October. 1t is In the direction Of
better understanding Itappreciates the friend
ly purposes of this government 1t admits
that our country is deeply affected by the war
in Cuba and that its desires for peace are just
1t declares that the present Spanish govern
ment is bound by every consideration to
change Of policy that should satisfy the United
States and pacify Cuba within reasonable
time To this end Spain has decided to put into
effect the political reforms heretofore advocat-
ed by the present PREMIER without hating for
any consideration in the path which in its iudg-
ment leads to peace. The military operations,
IL is said, will continue but will be humane and
conducted with all regards for private rights,
being accompanied by political action leading
to the autonomy OF Cuba while guarding Span
ish sovereignty. This, It is claimed, will result
in investing Cuba with distinct personality