Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1897-12-10
NO ACTION FOR CUBA
Present Conditions Do Not Call for
Declaration of BelliEerent
Rights.

The most important problem which
this government is now called upon to
deal W;th-that pertaining to its foreign
reiations-concern its duty toward Spain
and the Cuban instruction.
Problems and conditions more or less in
common 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 unremitt!ng
discontent; an effort toward the larger en-.
joyment of liberty and of self-control OF
organized resistance to the mother cour-
try; Of depression and warfare and OF
Intellectual settlement, to be followed by
since the enfranchisement Of the CONT
mental possessions of Spain In the west
ern continent, has the condition of Cuba
or the POLICY OF SPAN 11wars Sasa not
The prospect. from time TO time. that the
weakness OF SPANS hold upon the island.
and the political vicissitudes and embar-
easements of the home government, might
lead to the transfer of Cuba to cont.
mental power. called forth. between 1923
and 1850 various emphatic declarations OF
no disturbance Of Cuba's connection with
Spain unless in the direction OF ihdepen-
dence or acquisition by the United states
any change of this declared policy since
upon the part Of the government.
The revolution which began In 1858 last
dof Of y ,he
me- men nj u to suppress X Then, as now, the
government of the United States testified
its grave concern and onered US a'd no 70
overtures made by General Grant were
refused and the war dragged on. entailins
great loss of life and treasure, ana IN
sides throwing enhanced burdens OF ne4 l
trality upon this government In ls7s
peace was brought about BY the truce OF
the Spanish commander, Martini DE cam
pos, and the insurgent leaders.
The Present InsurrectiOn.
The present insurrection broke GU. in
February, 1895. 1t is not my purpose al
this time to recall its remarkable increase
or to characterize Its tenacious resistance
asa!nsi 1t by Spain The revolt and the
| efforts to subdue it carried destruction t(
every quarter Of the island. developina
! OF Spain for its suppression. The civilized
code OF war has been disregarded. no les!
| BY the Spanards than by the Cuhans. a,
this government and the American peopi'
| with the gravest apprehension. There y
no desire on the part of our people to prof
oniy the desire to see the Cubans pros
ner0us and contented. enjoying that meas
IRE OF self-control which is the inaliena oil
right Of nan 81 tbe ssr
ur The % of f made by my predecessor. II
April, 1895. rendering the friendly ONCE
Of this government. failed and mediation
On our bart was not accepted. In brief
The answer read: There il no effectua
| wav 10 pacify Cuba. unless 1t begins Wit
the actual submission OF the rebels 10 IN
" Then only could Spain act in the prom
ised direction Of her own motion an
after her own plans. The cruel poIcy
concentration was initiated FEBRUARY
iSaS The productive districts controlle
hv the Spanish armies were depopulate
onnd the agricultural inhabitants wer
herded in and about the garrison towns
their lands laid waste and their d"eiunk
Sastroyed. This policy the late caoine
sSnoin justified az a necessary measur
~ Uar and as a means OF cutting OF SUI
ui,es from the insurgents. 1t has utter
failed as war measure. II was no, CIV
;sad warfare. 1t was DETERMINATION.
AGAINST this abuse OF the rights OF va
Se~a felt constrained. on repeated o.
a..;ons TO enter the firm and earnest pr
test OF this government Ihsre VAS tnu,
{ ~ nnhlic condemnation of the treaImei
OF pmerican citizens by alleged ilieS
-. .-aats and long imprisonment awaitir
sr;al or pending protrocted Ju1iciai pr,
> cedures l felt It my nrst dutS 10 naa'
;ns,ant demand for the release or spec.
, i ,niai ~ ali American citizens under
{ tl.a' n.f1re the change OF the spans
r eh;net IN october. q prisoners. citi1el
e ca ,ha I-nited S utes. had been given the
9 freedom. o;,,vora Ct,
or
8 ~, because of the conflict. the aid
nonpress was sought in special inessaE
and. unde, the sppsopriab5 sen o. given Ani'
: ie.,, .rican citizens In Cuba. ana many
hn az their own request. have been
. Turned to the United States.
: policy OF the United States
The instructions given TO- our neT FOR mi
= ls.e S;re.ted him to impress upon N
p pos the sincere wish OF the Z !,
ed States 70 lend its aid .swar S.s enaf
= w va. resuIt. lust and honorable aiike
,ss .es snefes the t fnar S
q ana aad losses 1t entails, the burdens a
4ssut Of n i4o%
~ anu tn OF this state OF things.
:. COZ" stated that, at this ,uneturs' our y