Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-12-14
Situation In Cuba Grave.

| The revolution which began in 1865
| lasted for ten years despite the strenu-
Gus efforts of the successive peninsular
| governments to suppress 1t. Then, as
| now. the government Of the United States
! testified it's grave concern and offered 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 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 Fan
jon, obtained by negotiations between
the Spanish commander, Martinez de
Campos, and the insurgent leaders.
The present Instruction broke out in
February. 1895. 1t is not my purpose at
this time to recall its remarkable In
crease or to characterize It's tenacious re-
sistance, against the enormous forces
massed against il by Spain. The revolt
and the efforts to subdue IL carried des-
truction 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 dis
regarded no less so by the Span!ards
than by the Cubans.
The existing conditions cannot hut fill
this government and the American peo-
pie with the gravest apprehension. There
is no desire on the part of our people
10 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
Inalienabie right OF man, protected in
their right to reap the benefit of the ex
haustless treasures of their country.
The offer made by my predecessor In
April, 1896, rendering the friendly offices
fatl cd A,nU no1i finy,
on our part was not accepted. In brief,
the answer read: There Is no effectual
way to pacify Cuba unless 1t 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 plan.
Calls Spain's Policy Cruel.
The cruel policy of concentration was
initiated February 16, 1896. The produc-
tive districts controlled by the Spanish
armies were depopulated. The agricul-
tural inhabitants were herded I'm and
about the garrison towns their lands laid
waste and their dwellings destroyed. This
policy Of the late cabinet of Spain was
justified as a necessary measure of war
and as means of cutting off supplies
from the insurgents. 1t has utterly failed
as a war measure. 1t was not civilized
warfare. 1t was determination.
Against this abuse of the rights of war
[ have felt constrained on repeated occas-
ions TO enter the firm and earnest protest
Of this government. There was much Of
public condemnation Of the treatment Of
American citizens by alleged Illegal ar
rests and long imprisonment awaiting
trial or pending protracted judicial pro-
ceedings
| felt il my first duty TO make instant
demand for the release or speedy trial of
all American citizens under arrest Before
the change of the Spanish cabinet in Oc-
tober last, twenty-five prisoners, citizens
of the United States, had been given their
freedom.
For the relief OF our own citizens suf-
fering because of the conflict the aid of
congress was sought in a special mes
sage. and under the appropriation OF
April 4, 1897. effective aid has been given
10 American citizens in Cuba, many of
hem at their own request having been
returned TO the United States.
The instructions given 10 our new min