The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-12

TO Cuba have greatly aided the charita-
bic work. The president of the Ameri-
can Red Cross and representatives OF
other contributory organizations have
generously visited Cuba and co-opera-
ted with the consul general and the local
authorities to make effective distribu-
tion OF the relief collected through the
efforts Of the central committee.
Nearly 5000. 900 in money and supplies
has already reached the sufferers and
more Is forthcoming The supplies are
admitted duty free and transportation
to the interior has been arranged so that
the relief. at first necessarily confined to
Havana and the larger cities. Is now ex-
tended through most IL not all of the
towns where the suffering exists. Thou
sands of lives have already been saved.
The necessity for change In the con-
dition Of the reconcentrados is recog-
nized by the Spanish government. With
in few days past the orders OF General
weyler have been revoked. the reconcen-
trados. 1t is said. to be permitted to re-
turn to their homes and aided to resume
the sclf-supporting pursuits OF peace;
public works have been ordered to give
them employment and sum of 5000. 900
has been appropriated.
The war In Cuba is Of such nature that
short OF subjusation or determination
a final military victory for either side
seems impracticable. The alternative lies
in the physical exhaustion Of one or the
other party. perhaps both-a condition
which In effect ended the 10 years war
by the truce OF Zanjon. The prospect of
such a protection and conclusion Of the
present strife In contingency hardly
to be contemplated with eQuanimity by
the civilized world and least Of all by the
United States. affected and injured as We
are, deeply and intimately. by Its very
existence. Residing this, II appeared
to be my duty In a spirit of true friendli-
ness. no less TO Spain than tC Cubans.
who have 30 much to lose by the prolon-
cation of the struggle, to seek to bring
about an immediate termination Of the
war. To this end I submitted on the
9th of last month. as q result OF
much representation and correspondence
through the United States minister at
Madrid. propositions to the Spanish gov
ernment looking to an armistice until
Oct. for the negotiation OF peace with
the good Offices OF the president.
In addition asked the immediate rev.
ocation of the order of RECOMMENDATION
80 as to permit the people to return to
their farms and to the needy to be re-
lleved with provisions and supplies from
the United States, cooperating with the
Spanish authorities 80 as to AFFORD full
relief. M
The reply OF the Spanish cabinet was
received on the night of the 31st ult
.ff ho rr hiring about
peace In Cuba, to confide the prepara-
ton thereof to the insular parliament,
inasmuch as the concurrence OF that
body would be necessary to reach a
final result. 1t being, however. under
stood that the powers reserved by the
constitution to the central government
are not lessened or dimltshed. AS the
Cuban parliament does not meet until the
4th Of May next, the Spanish government
would not object. for It's part. to accept
at once suspension Of hostilities II
asked for by the insurgents from the
general-in-chief to whom IL would per-
tain In such case. to determine the dura-
tion and conditions OF the armistice.
The propositions submitted by General
Woodford and reply OF the Spanish gov
ernment were both In the form OF brief
memoranda, the texts OF which are be-
fore me. and are substantially In the Ian
guage given above. The function of the
Cuban parliament In the matter Of pre-
pairing peace and the manner Of Its
doing so are not expressed In the Span
ises memorandum: but from General
Woodfords explanatory reports OF pre-
liminary discussions preceding the Anal
conferences X In understood that the
Spanish government stands ready TO
give the insular congress full powers to
settle the terms of peace with the insurg-
ents-whether by direct negotiation or
Indirectly by means OF legislation does
not appear. With this last overture in
the direction OF immediate peace and its
disappointing reception by Spain the ex-
ecutive was brought TO the end of his
effort.
In my annual message OF December
last said: "Of the untried measures
there remain only recognition of the In
surgents as belligerents: recognition of
the Independence OF Cuba neutral in
terventlon.
TO end the war by imposing a rational
compromise between the contestants
and Intervention in favor OF one or the
other party. speak not OF forcible an
nexation. for that cannot be thought Of
That by our code OF morality would be
criminal aggression
Thereupon. / reviewed these alterna-
uves, in the light Of President Grants
measured words. uttered in 1875. when
after seven years OF sanguinary. de-
structive and cruel hostilIties In Cuba.
he reached the conclusion that the rec
ognition OF the independence OF Cuba
was imprasticable and indefenslble:
and that the recognition Of belllgerenoy
was not warranted by the facts. accord
Ing TO the tests OF public law. 4 COM
nented especially upon the latter aspect
OF the question pointing out the inccn.
veniences and positive dangers OF rec
ognition OF belligerence. which. while
adding 10 the already onerous burdens OF
neutrality within our own Jurisdiction.
could not In any way extend our lnnu-
ence or effective Offices In the territory
OF hostilIties. Nothing has since oc-
Cured to change my view I'm this regard.
and recognise as fully now a. then