Evening journal., 1898-04-12

wilderness and the grave
Meanwhile tho military situation In the
Island had undergone noticeable change
The extraordinary activity that character
lied the second year Of the war, when the
Insurgents invaded even the hitherto un-
harmed fields Of Plnar do Rio and carried
havoc and destruction up TO the walls OF
the city Of Havana Itself, bad relapsed into
q logged struggle In the central and east
ern provinces. The Spanish arms regained
a measure OF control i'm Plnar del Rio and
parts.o Of Havana but, under the existing
conditions OF the rural country. without
immediate improvement Of their produo-
tive situation. Even thus partially re-
strioted the reyolutionists held theii own.
and their conquest and submission, put
forward by Spain as the essential and solo
basis Of peace, seemed as far distant as at
the outset.
In this state of affairs my administra-
tion found itself confronted with grave
problem of its duty. My message Of last
December reviewed the situation and mar
rated the steps taken with a view to re-
lioying its acutoness and opening the way
90 somo form of honorable settlcmont
The assassination Of tha prime minister,
Canovas, led to change of goyernmont
in Spain. The former administration,
pledged osubjugation without concession,
gave place to that of a more liberal party,
committed long in advance 60 policy Of
rofoim involving tho wider principle Of
homo rule for Cuba and Puerto Rico The
oyertures Of this government made
through its new envoy, General Woodford,
and looking to an immediate and effective
amelioraton OF tho condition of the is
land, although not accepted TO the extent
Of admitted mediation in any shape, were
met by assurances that home rule, in an
advanced phase, would be forthwith offer
ed 90 Cuba, without waiting for the war
to ond, and that more humane methods
should thonceforth prevail in the conduct
Of hostlitles. Coincidentally with these
declarations the new government Of Spain
continued and completed the policy al
ready begun by its predecessor of testify
ing friendly regard for this nation by re-
leasing American citizens held under one
charge or another connected with the in
surrection, so that by the end of Novem-
bor not a single person entitled in any
way to our national protection remained
In a Spanish prison.
While these negotiations were in progress
the increasing destitution Of the unfortu
nate reconcentrados and the alarming
mortality among them claimed earnest at
tention. The success which had attended
the limited measure Of relief extended to
the suffering American citizens among
them by the judicious expenditure through
the consular agencies Of the money appro-
priated expressly for their suocor by the
joint resolution approved May "a, 1897,
prompted the humane extension of a SINH
lar scheme of aid to the great body of suf
ferers. A suggestion to this end was
acquiesoed in by the Spanish authorities.
On the gath OF December last / caused
TO be issued an appeal to the American
people inviting contributions in money or
In kind for the succ0r of the starving suf
fereTs in Cuba, following this on the Sth Of
January by similar public announce
ment OF the formation of central Cuban
relief committee, with headquarters in
New York city, composed Of three mem
lhers representing the American National
Red Cross and the religious and business
clements of the community. The efforts Of
that committee have been untring and
have accomplished much. Arrangements
for free transportation 10 Cuba have great
ly aided the charitable work. The presi-
dent Of the American Rod Cross and rep
resentatiyes of other contributory organi-
cations have generously visited Cuba and
oo-operatod with tho consul general and
the local authorities to make effective dis
tribution OF the relief collected through
the efforts OF the central committee. Near
ly 5000, 900 in money and supplies has al
ready reached the sufferers, and more is
forthcoming. The supplies are admitted
duty free, and transportation to the inte-
rior has been arranged so that the relief,
at first necessarily confined to Havana and
the larger Cities is now extended through
most II not all Of the towns where the suf-
\ fering exists. Thousands OF lives have al
ready been saved. The necessity for a
change in the condition of the reconcen
trados is recognized by the Spanish gov
ernment. Within few days past tho or
| ders Of General Weyler have been revoked,
the reooncentrados, it is said, to bo permit
ted to return to their homes and aided to
resume the self supporting pursuits Of
/ peace, public works have been ordered to
| give them employment, and a sum of
5000, 900 has been appropriated for their
relief
The war in Cuba is Of such nature that
short Of subjugation OF determination a
] final military victory for either side seems
impracticable. The alternative lies In the
pugflchl tAuduhtlou OF lnc one on the Oln-
er party or perhaps Of both--a condition
which IN effect ended the ten years war
10y the truce of Zanion. Tho prospect of
such a protection and conclusion Of the
present strife is contingency hardly tc
be contemplated with equanimity by the
civilized world and least Of all by the Unit
ed States, affected and injured, as we are
deeply and intimately, by its very exist
enco.
Realizing this. it appeared to bo my
duty in spirit Of true friendllness, no les,
to Spain than to the Cubnns, who have SC
much to lose by the prolongation of tn,
struggle, to seek TO bring about an imme
diato termination of the war, To this end
! submitted on the 27th ult., as a result o
much representation and correspondence
through the United States minister a
MaCrid, propositions to the Spanish gov
ernment looking TO an armistico until Oct
for the negotiation of peace with th
good Offices of the president.
In addition ! asked tho immediate revo
cation of the order of Recommendation, s.
as to permit the people 20 return to thei
farms and TO the needy to be relieved wit
provisions and supplies from the Unite,