Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-20
SPAIN DECLINED MEDIATION
Peace in Cuba Must Begin With the Sub
mission of the Rebels.
Mr.. Olney's Letter to Minister De
LONE and the Latter's Reply
Disclosed in Senate Debate.

The secret archives of the State Depart
ment, which have held the consular reports
on the Cuban war from the public, were
partially disclosed yesterday by Senator
Foraker OF Ohio. During the past week
the debate in the Senate has been full of
intimation and innuendoes of reports from
United States officials in Cuba being held
at the State Department, which. II pub
lished, would disclose condition on Cuban
soil which would influence public opinion
in a decided manner. The facts, therefore,
which Senator Foraker announced, without
stating from whom they came, created a
decided stir.
Especially startling was the letter from
Secretary Olney in which this country Of
fered mediation to Spain, and the refusal
of that country to accept the proffered aid.
While one Of the consular reports was
read without the name of the author being
disclosed. 1t Is stated to be a communica-
ton from Consul 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:
Il cannot understand the truth Of the
claim that all the provinces of the island
are pacified except that of Santiago de
Cuba, because there are more Insurgents
under arms at this time than at the period
first reached the island, some ten months
ago, and do not think 1t fair inference
10 draw from existing conditions that the
war is approaching a termination because
In pursuance of an established policy, the
insurgents avoid as far as possible ali Sc
rious engagements.
The impossibiity of expelling the Span
ism troops from this island by force of
arms Is well known to them and thew do
not propose to risk the lives of their men
and the success of their cause upon one or
more more plte ned battles. I conclude, there
lore, that the war will drag its weary
length along so long as the Insurgents can
oig sustenance from the ground on the one
sIue OF money be obtained by the other
Win the continued result of untold human
suHerlng, loss of human life the murder
OF innocent men, women and children h.,
potn sides, and the frightful havoc wbici
olsease makes in the ranks of the soldiers
p isnd I,caiariy among the unacclimated Span
lards, the poverty and distress of the ~
PIE ana daily increasing and the Ioss ~
properly or all sorts, daily becoming nnora
enormous. No one can fully appreciate the
s nuusho without being here in person. The
women and children of ali races has
greatly Increased in this city within .ha
past rev weeks, while in other points on
uonately greater" p'opoi-
l., me letter from Secretary Olney to snan-
.sh Minister De LONE. under date of anriJ
:, I"'o IS the one in which intervention &c
sussested. In opening, Mr. Olney said:
increase of the Insurgents.
II might well be deemed dereliction Of
duty to the government of the Irnited
states as well as censurable want Of
candor to Spain If 1 were longer to derer
omcial expression, as well of the anx;ety
win which the President regards the er.
istlng situation in Cuba as of his earnest
desire for the prompt and permanent naoi
fcation of that island. ANY Mans .i pdu
reasonable assurance of that res1,lt Ind
not inconsistent with the Just rights ana
reasonable demands of all concerned would
De earnestly promoted by him nv ali rnesns
which the Constitution and laws of this
country place at his disposal
IL Is now some nine or ten months since
me! ne nature and prospects of the insurrec-
ton were first discussed between ne Tn
explanation of its rapid and, up to that
tlme, quite unopposed growth and nro
sresS, you called attention to tho rainy
season, which from May June until No
Vember renders regular military onarations
impracticable Spain was pouring sucb
numbers of troops into Cuba that your
theory and opinion that when thew could
DC USED IN an active campaign, the insur-
rection would be almost instantly SIM
pressed, seemed reasonable and probable
In TINS particular you believe, and sincere
~ believe, that the present insurrection
we una oHer most marked contrast to
that which began in 1868 and which beine
Ieepiy encountered with comparatiyely
of ten years.
~ IS Impossible TO deny that the ex-
pectations thus entertained by you in the
summer and fall of 1885, and shared NOT
merely by all Spaniards, but by most dis
interested observers as well, have been
completely disappointed. The insurgents
seem today to command a larger part of
the island than ever before. Their men
under arms, estimated year ago at from
ten to twenty thousand, are now conceded
TO be at least two or three times as many.
Meanwhile their discipline has been i'm
proved, and their supply of modern weap-
ons and equipment has been greatly en-
larged, while the mere fact that they held
out to this time has given them confidence
In their own eyes and prestige with the
world at large In short, it can hardly be
questioned that the insurrection. instead of
being quelled, Is today more formidable
tnan ever, and enters upon the second
year of its existence with decidedly favor
able prospects of successful results
Whether a condition of things emitting
the insurgents to recognition as belliger-
ents has yet been brought about may. for
The purposes of the present communion
tions, be regarded as immaterial."
DeplOrable State of Affairs.
Other portions of this document were as
Even il 1t be granted that a condition of
insurgency prevails, and nothing more, it
is on SO large scale and diffused over so
extensive region, and Is SO favored by
the physical features of the climate of the
country that the authority of Spain is SUBJ
verted, and the functions of It's government
are In allegiance or practically suspended
throughout a greater part of the island |
Spain still holds the seaports and most |
If not all. the large towns in the interior.
Nevertheless, vast area of the territory
of the island Is in effect under the control |
Of rowing bands of insurgents, which, II
driven from place today by an exhibition
of superior force, abandon 1t only to return |
tomorrow, when that force has moved on
for their dislodgment In other quarters
Outside of the towns under Spanish
rule, anarchy, lawlessness and terrorism
are rampant. The result Is q system of |
war upon the industries Of the island, and |
upon all means by which they are carried |
on, and whereas the normal annual pro-
duct of the island is valued at something
like $50 600. 600 or 500. 600 O0O its value for
the present year Is estimated by competent |
authority at not exceeding $20,O0O0 600"
Further on Mr.. Olney calls attention to |
the fact that capital Is fast withdrawing |
from the island, frightened away by the |
utter hopelessness of the outlook. Why"
he continues, should 1t not be? What can |
} prudent man foresee as the outcome OF ex- |
Isting conditions except the complete devas-
tation Of the island, the entire humiliation
Of Its Industries and the absolute impover- |
Lshment of such OF its Inhabitants as are |
unwise enough or unfortunate enough not |
to seasonabiy escape from 1t? It may well /
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