Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-12-09
THE CUBAN QUESTION.
The Time Not Ripe for Intervention
on Our Part.

on our
The most important problem with which
this government is now called upon to deal
pertaining to it's foreign relations concerns
it's duty toward Spain and the Cuban insur-
rection. Problems and conditions more or
have confronted this government at yari-
Gus 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-con-
troll; of organized resistance to the mother
country; of depression AFTER dlstress ana
warfare and of Intellectual settlement to be
followed by renewed revolt. For no endur-
ing period since the acknowledgment OF the
continental possessions OF Spain IN the
western continent has the condition or
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 SPANS hold upon the island
and the political vcissitudes and embar-
easements of the home government might
lead to the transfer Of Cuba to continent ont
tai power called forth, between 1923 and
1860, various emphatic declarations or the
policy of the United States to permit no ais
turbance of Cuba's connection with SPAN
unless in the direction of independence or
acquisition by us through purchase: nor
has there been any change Of this declared
policy since upon the part OF the govern
The revolution which began in 1868 lasted
for ten years, despite the strenuous ef-
forts of the successive p srh gov
the government of the United States tes-
titled it's grave concern, and oHered It's
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 life and treasure and increased
injury to American interests besides throw
ing enhanced burdens on neutrality on the
government In 1878 peace was brought
about by the truce of canton, obtained by
negotiations between the Spanish COM
mander, Martinez de Campos, and the in
surgent leaders.
The Present Insurrection.
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
1t by Spain The rsx9t afd
wide proportions and defying the efforts
of Spain for it's 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 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
treasures of their country.
April, 1896 rendering the friendly offices
on our part was not accepted. In brief, the
answer read: There is no effectual way
to pacify Cuba unless it begins with the
actual submission of the rebels to the
mother country" Then only could Spain
act in the promised direction of her own
motion and after her own plans.
Not Civilized Warfare.
The cruel policy of concentration was
initiated February 49, 1896. The productive
districts controlled by the Spanish armies
were depopulated. The agricultural inhab-
itants were herded in and about the gar
rison towns, their lands laid waste and
their dwellings destroyed, This policy the
late cabinet of Spain justified as a neces-
sary measure of war and as means Of cut
ting off SUPPLIES from the insurgents. 1t has
utterly failed as war measure 1t was
not civilized warfare. 1t was extermina-
ton.
Protests Entered.
Against this abuse of the rights of war
have felt constrained on repeated occa-
sions to enter the firm and earnest pro-
test of this government. There was much
American citizens by alleged illegal arrests
and long Imprisonment awaiting trial or
pending protracted judicial proceedings. I
felt It my first duty to make instant de- l
American citizens under arrest. Before the
change of the Spanish cabinet in october
last y prisoners, citizens of the United
States, had been given their freedom. For
the relief of our own citizens suffering be-
cause 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
| having been returned to the United States.
Minister WOOdford's Instructions.
The instructions given to our new min
lister to Spain before his departure for his
| post directed him to impress upon that gov
eminent the sincere wish of the United
states to lend its aid toward the ending
| or the war in Cuba by reaching a peace
| full and lasting result, just and honorable
alike to Spain and to the Cuban people