The record-union., 1897-05-20
SITUATION Tn CUBA
NOT EXAGGERATED.
The Secret Archives Of the State Depart
ment Partially Disclosed.
Senator Foraker Announces FacGs
Which Create Decided Str.

ConsuI-Generai Lee Denies That All
the Provinces Except Santiago de
Cuba Are Pacified-Poverty and
Distress Daily Increasing-Spa'n
Refuses to Accept Proffered fledia-
tiou of the United States to Restore
Peace.
WASHINGTON, May 19.-The secret
archives of the State Department,
which have held the consular reports
Of the Cuban war from the public. We're
partially disclosed to-day by Senator
Foraker of Ohio During the past week
the debate in the Senate has been
pregnant with intimations and innuen-
does of reports from United States otfl-
cials in Cuba, held at the State Depart
ment, which, if published would dis
close a condition on Cuban soil which
would influence public opinion in de-
cided manner. The facts, therefore,
which Senator Foraker announced,
without stating from whom they came,
created decided stir. Especially
startling was the letter from Secretary
OIney. in which this country offered
mediation to Spain, and the refusal OF
that country to accept the profered
aid.
While one Of the consular reports was
read. without the name Of the author
being disclosed, ii is stated to be a
communication 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:
I cannot understand the truth of the
claim that all the provinces of the
island are pacified except that of San
tiago de Cuba. because there are more
insurgents under arms at this time
than at a period when l first reached
the island. some ten months ago, and
/ do not think it a fair inference to
draw from existing conditions that the
war is approaching a termination, be
cause in pursuance of an established
policy the insurgents avoid as far as
possible all serious engagements. Inc
impossibilty of expelling the Spanish
troops from this island by force of arms
is Well known to them, and they do
not propose to risk the lives g thei4s
men or the success of their cause upon
one or more pitched battles.
I conclude. therefore, that the war
Will drag it's weary length along so
long as the insurgents can dig sus-
tenance 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. the mur-
der of innocent men, women and chill
dren by both sides, and the frightful
havoc which disease makes in the ranks
of soldiers, particularly among the un-
acclimated Spaniards.
THE poverty and distress of the peo-
pie are increasing, and the loss of prop
erty of all sorts daily becoming more
enormous. No one can fully appreciate
the situation without being here in per-
son. The number of poor distressed,
starving women, children and old men
of ali races have greatly increased in
this city within the past few weeks,
while in other points on the island the
suffering has been proportionately
great"
ish Minister de Lone under date Of
April 4 1896 is the one in which the
intervention is suggested. In opening,
Mr.. Olney said:
Tt might be well deemed a dereliction
Of duty TO the Government Of the United
States. as we'll as a censurable want Of
candor to Spain if We're longer to defer
official expression as well OF the anxiety
with which the President regards the
existing situation in Cuba, as of his
earnest desire for the prompt and per
manent pacifcation Of the island. Any
plan giving reasonable assurance OF
that result, and not inconsistent with
the lust rights and reasonable demands
of all concerned. could earnestly be pro-
moted by him by all means which the
Constitution and laws of this country
place at his disposal.
1T is now nine or zen months since
the nature and prospects of the insur-
rection were first discussed between US.
The insurgents seem to-day to command
a larger part OF the island than ever
before. Their men under arms. esti-
mated a year ago at from 10000 to 20
0O0. are now conceded to be at least two
or three times as many. Meanwhile.
their discipline has been improved, and
their supply Of modern weapons and
equipment has been greatly enlarged.
while the mere fact that they have held
out TO this time has given them conf
dence in their own eyes and prestige
with the world at large. In short, it
can hardly be questioned that the in
surrection. instead of being quelIed, is
to-day more formidable than ever and
enters on the second year Of its. exist
ence with decidedly improved prospects
of successful results.
Mr. Olney suggests that neither Spain
nor the Cubans can reasonably object
to Intervention. and adds that if any
thing IS to be done it should be done
at once and on Spain's initiative. In
closing he says the plan is prompted 10y
the friendIest feelings toward Spain
and the Spanish people. and adds:
''To attribute TO the United States any
hostile or hidden purposes would be
grave and most lamentable error
The United States has no designs upon
Cuba, and no desire against the SOW
ereignty Of Spain
Foraker read only the following ex-
tract from Mr.. De Lome's reply. which
was dated June 1. 1896 in brief
there is no effectual way to pacify
Cuba unless it begins with the actual
submission of the armed rebels to the
mother country"
THE PRESIDENTS POLICY.