Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-12-09
THE CUBAN QUESTION.


THE CUBAN QUESTION.
Island Must Not Pass Into the Hands
of Another Power.
The most important problem with which
| this government is now called upon to deal
pertaining to its foreign relations con-
Germs it's duty toward Spain and the
| Cuban insurrection. Problems and condi-
| lions mere or less in common with those
now existing have confronted this gov
eminent at various times in the past. The
story of Cuba for many years has been one
of unrest, growing discomfort, an effort
toward a larger enjoyment OF liberty and
| self control, of organized resistance to the
| mother country, of depression after dis
tress and warfare and of Intellectual settle
ment to be followed by renewed revolt.
For no enduring period since the en-
franchisement OF the continental posses
sions of Spain in the Western continent
has the condition of Cuba or the policy OF
Spain toward Cuba not caused concern to
the United States.
The prospect from time to time that the
weakness OF Spains hold upon the island
and the political vicisstudes and embar-
easements of the home government might
lead TO the transfer Of Cuba to a con-
tinental power called forth, between 1923
and 1860, various emphatic declarations of
no disturbance of Cuba's connection with
Spain unlss in the direction of independ-
ence or ACQUISITION by us through pur-
chase nor has there been any change of
this declared policy since upon the part
of the government.
The revolution which began in 1868
lasted for ten years, despite the strenuous
efforts % the successive peninsular gov
ernments to suppress Ii. Then, as now,
the government of the United States testi-
fed its grave concern and offered its
aid to put an end to bloodshed in Cuba.
! The overtures made by Gen. Grant were
refused and the war dragged on, entailing
great loss of lie and treasure and in
creased injury to American interests, be-
sides throwing enhanced burdens OF neu-
| trality on the government. In 1878 peace
was brought about by the truce of Zanjon.
I obtained by negotiations between the
Spanish commander, Martinez de Campos,
and the insurgent leaders.
Code of War Disrcgnrdcd.
The present instruction broke out in
February, 1895. 1t is not my purpose at
this time to recall its remarkable increase
or to characterize its tenacious resistance
| against the enormous forces massed
| against 1t by Spain. The revolt and the
! efforts to subdue Ii carried destruction to
every quarter of the island, developing
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 existing conditions cannot but fill
this government and the American people
with the gravest apprehension. There Is
no desire on the Part of our people tc
profit by the misfortunes of Spain. We
have only the desire to see the Cutans
prosperous and contented enjoying thai
measure of self-contro viii h is the in
Lii L. ~terIRf af TOD In hni
right TO reap the benefit OF exhaustles'
treasures of their country.
The offer made by my predecessor In
April 1896, rendering the friendly office:
OF this government, failed Any media
ton on our part was not accepted. In
brief the answer read:
There is no effectual way to plcify
Cuba unless II begins with the actua
submission of the rebels 10 the mother
country"
Then, only, could Spain act in tho
promised direction of her own motion and
after her own plans.
The cruel policy of concentration wa
initiated Feb. 16. 1886. The prosperity,
districts controlled by the Spanish armies
we're depopuated. The agricultural in
habitants were herded in and about thu
garrison towns, their lands laid waste AM
their dwellings destroyed This Policy tn
late cabinet Of Spain justified as a neces
cutting off supplies from the insurgents
1t has utterly failed as a war measure. |
was not civilized warfare. II was exter
mination
Against this abuse of the rights of wa
| have felt constrained On repeated occa
eions to enter the firm and earnest protes
of this government. There was much o
public condemnation OF the treatment o
American citizens by alleged illegal arrest
and long Imprisonment awaiting trial o
pending protracted judicial proceedings
felt It my first duty to make instant de
mand for the release or speedy trial OF al
American citizens under arrest. Before tn
change OF the Spanish cabinet, in Octobe
last, twenty-five prisoners. citizens OF tn
United States had been given their free
, dom.
, For the relief OF our own citizens, SUI
fering because of the conflict the aid Q
congres1 was sought In a special message
, and under the appropriation OF April
; 1897, effective aid has been given to Amerl
: can citizens In Cuba, many OF them 9
, their own request having been returned
e the United States.
D Instructions to woodford.
' The instructions given to our new min
lister to Spain before his departure for hi
q post directed him to impress upon thu
: government the sincere wish OF the Unite
: States to lend its aid toward the ending {
the war In Cuba by reaching peaceI'
n and lasting result, just and honorable alih
h to Spain and to the Cuban people The,
v Instructions recitei the character and dt
n ration Of the contest, the widespread ioss'
a 1t entails. the burdens and restraints
Il imposes upon US, with constant disturban'
e of national interests and the injury n
I, sulting from an indefinite continuance
n Tho state of things. IL was stated that {
q this juncture our government was col
Is strained to seriously inquire II the tin
a was not ripe when Spain, CT her own vol
= ton, moved by her own interests and evei
II sentiment OF humanity, should put ST.
n to this destructive war and make propose
N OF settlement honorable to herself Al
,e Just to her Cuban colony. II was urg'
m that, en- a neighboring nation with lar
= interests In Cuba, we could be required
wait only reasonable time for the moth