Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1897-12-11
No. q

laid waste and their dwellings destroy
ed. The policy OF the late cabinet OF
Spain Justified this as n necessary
measure OF war and as means of cut
ting off supplies from the insurgents.
II has utterly failed as war measure
II was not civilized warfare II was
exterminatinn.
Against this abuse of the rights OF
war felt constrained on repeated oc-
casions TO enter the firm and earnest
protest OF this government There was
much of public condemnation OF the
treatment OF American citizens by aY-
legged Illegal arrests and long imprisun-
ment awaiting trial or pending pro-
tracted judicial proceedings felt II
my first duty to make instant demand
for the release or speedy trial OF ell
American citizens under arrest. Before
the change OF the Spanish cabinet in
Orfoher last ~ n~assnara ritl-an1 ne
the United States. had been given their
freedom.
For the relief OF our citizens suffering
because OF the conflict the aid OF con-
gress was sought in 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.
OUR PRoFFERED AID.
The instructions given to our new
minister to Spain before his departure
for his post directed him to impress
upon that government the sincere wish
OF the United States to lend It's aid to-
ward the ending of the war In Cuba
by reaching peaceful and lasting re-
suit, just and honorable alike TO Spain
and to the Cuban people. Ii 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 in
terest and every sentiment of human
ity, should put stop to this destruc-
tive war and make proposals of set
Element honorable to herself and Just
to her Cuban colony. 1t was urged that
as ueighboring nation, with large I'M
terests In Cuba, we could be required
to wait only reasonable time for the
mother country to establish its authors
ty 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 10 which
the slightest idea of humiliation to
Spain could attach, and indeed the pre-
else proposals were withheld to avoid
embarrassment to that government.
All that was asked or expected was
that some safe way might be speedily
provided and permanent peace restored.
1t SO CHANGED that the consideration OF
this offer addressed to the Spanish adj
ministration, which had declined the
tenders Of my predecessor and which
for more than two years had poured
men and treasure into Cuba. in the
fruitless effort to suppress the revolt.
fell to others.
The reply to our note was received on
the ed day Of October. II Is in the d.
rection of better understanding. 1t
appreciates the friendly purposes OF
this government. III admits that our
country ia deeply affected by the war
in Cuba, and that its desires for peace
are just. Ii declares that the present
Spanish government is bound by every
consideration TO a change of policy that
should satisfy the United States and
paclfy Cuba within reasonable time.
To this end Spain has decided TO put
into effect the political reforms hereto
fore advocated by the present premier.
without hating forsrany consideration
in the path which in It's judgment leads
to peace. The military operations, IL
lis said, will continue, but VIII be hu-
name. and viii be conducted with all
regard for private rights, being accom-
panied by political action leading e
the autonomy Of Cuba, while guAran-
teeing Spanish sovereignty.
CONTINUED on second edtlorlal page).