The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-12-07


about bg the truce OF zanjon, 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 20 characterize Its tenacious
resistance against the enormous forces
massed against 1t by Spain. The re-
volt and the Efforts 10 subdue 1t carried
destruction TO every quarter Of the Is
land, developing wide proportions aud
defglng the efforts OF Spain for its
suppression. The civilized code OF
war has been dlsregarded, no less SO
by the SpaniardS than by the Cubans.
Tho existing conditions cannot but
MI this government and the American
people with the gravest apprehension.
There Is no desire on the part OF our
people to profit by the mlsfortunes Of
Spain. We have only the desire to see
the Cubans prosperous and contented,
enjoying that measure OF selt-control,
which Is the inalenahle right of man,
protected In their right to reap the
benefit OF the eXhaustless treasures of
their country.
The offer made by my predecessor In
April, 1896, rendering the friendly offices
of this government, failed. ANY media
ton on our part was not accepted. In
brief, the answer read; There Is no
effectual way to paclfy Cuba unless It
begins with the actual submission OF
the rebels to the mother country'
A CRUEL POLICY.
Then only could Spain act In the pro-
missed direction OF her own motion and
after her own plans, The cruel policy
Of concentration was initiated Febru-
airy l6, 1896, The productive districts
controlled by the Spanish armies were
depopulated. The agricultural inhabi-
tants were herded in and about the gar
rlson towns, their lands laid waste and
, their dwellings destroyed, This policy of
the late cabinet of Spainwas Just!hedas
a necessary measure OF war and as
means OF cutting off supplies from the
insurgents. 1t has utterly failed as
war measure, 1t was not civilized
warfare. 1t was determination.
Against this abuse of the rights OF
war have felt constrained on repeated
occasions TO enter the firm and earnest
protest OF this government There was
much of public condemnation OF tho
treatment Of American citizens by al
legged Illegal arrests and long impris-
onment awaiting trial or pending pro-
tracted judicial proceedings, l felt 1t
nv first duty to make instant demand
for the release or speedy trial of all
American citizens under arrest, Be
fore the change OF the Spanish cabinet
In October last. twenty-five prisoners,
citizens OF the United States, had been
given their freedom.
For the relief of our own citizens, sur
ferlng because Of the conflict, the aid OF
Congress was sought in special mes
SAGE and under the appropriation OF
April 4. 1891. effective aid has been CIV
Ell to American citizens IN Cuba, many
of them at their own REQUEST having
been returned to the United states,
The Instructions given to our new MN
lister to Spain before his departure for hls
post directed him to impress upon that
government the sincere wish OF the
United States 10 lend Its aid toward the
ending Of Its war in Cuba by reaching a
peaceful and lasting result, just and hoa-
orable alike to Spain and to the Cuban
people. These instructions rested the
character and duIation OF the contest.
the widespread losses 1t entails, the bur
dens and restraints 1. imposes upon us,
with constant disturbance OF national In
terests and the injur2 resulting from an
indefinite continuance of this state OF
things II was stated that at this juno
ture our government was constrained 10
seriously inquire II the time was not ripe
when Spain of her own voliilOn, moved
by her own Interests and every sentiment
offhumanlty. should put q stop to this
destructive war and make proposals of
settiementhonoTabl to herself and Just
10 her Cuban colony. II was urged that
as q nelGhborinG nation, with large in
tcrests in Cuba, we could be required TO
walt only a reasonable time Tor the
mother country TO establish It's authority
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 solu-
zion was proposed to which the slightest
idea OF humiliation to Spain conld attach
and indeed precise proposals were with
held to avoid embarrassment "a that
government. All that was asked or ex-
pcsted was that some safe way might be
speedily provided and pcrnIanen; peace
restored. il so CHANGED that the c0nsld
GRAFTON OF this Offer Addressed to the
same Spanish administration which had
declined the tenders Of my predecessor
and which for more than two years had
poured men and treasure into Cuba into
Ghe fruitless efforts to suppress the re-
volt, fell to others Between the depart
ure Of General WoodforG. the nov en-
voy and his arrival In Spain The states
man who had shaped the policy OF his
country fc,l by the hand Of an assassin,
and although the cabinet Of the late pre-
mier etill heli Office and received from
our envoy the proposals he bore, that
cabinet gave place within few days
thGreaftcr 10 a new administration I'm
der the leadership Of Sagasta.
THE REPLY OF SPAIN.
The reply to our note was received on
the 2Srd day of October. 1t is in the d.
rectlon of better UNDERSTANDING It
appreciates the friendly purposes Of this
government 1t admits that our COIN
try IS deeply affected by the war In Cuba
and that Its desires for peace are Just.
II declares that the present Spanish gov
ernment is bound By every consideration
20 change OF policy that should satisfy
the United States and paclfy Cuba with
in reasonable time To this end Spain
has decided to put into effect the political
reforms heretofore advocated by tho
present premier without hating for any
consideration IN the path which In It's
Judgment leads to peace. The military
operations, It Is said will continue but
VIII be humane and conducted with all
regard for private rghts being 9crom-
panied by political action leading to the
autonomy OF Cuba while guarding Span
ish sovereignty This, II rs claimed, Will
result In investing Cuba with a distinct
personality; the island To be governed by
an executive and by a local council or
chamber rcscrNing 10 Spain the control