Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-04-12

| otner contrlDutory 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 100000 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 tina
the relief, at first necessarily confined to
| Havana and the larger cities, is now ex-
| tended through most If 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Weyler have been revoked, the rsconcen-
trados, II is said, to be permitted to re-
turn 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 $500. 900
has been appropriated.
Thew in Cuba is of such nature that
short OF subjusation or determination
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 is a 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 It's very
existence. Realizing this. 1t appeared
TO be my duty in spirit of true friendli-
ness. no less to Spain than &c Cubans.
who have so much to lose by the prolon-
cation of the struggle, to seek to bring
about an immediate termination of the
war To this end. / submitted on the
27th of last month, as 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
so as to permit the people to return TO
their farms and to the needy to be re-
lieved with provisions and supplies from
the United States, cooperating with the
Spanish authorities so as to afford full
relief.
The reply of the Spanish cabinet was
received on the night Of the 31st ult.
1t offers, as the means to bring about
peace in Cuba, to confide the prepara-
~ -. sx... Ia arIf a
inasmuch as the concurrence of that
body would be necessary to reach a
final result, it being. however. under
stood that the powers reserved by the
to the central government
are not iessened or diminished. As the
Cuban parliament does not meet until the
ith of May next, the Spanish government
would not object, for its part, to accept
at once a suspension of hostilities IL
asked for by the insurgents from the
to whom it would per-
tain in such case. to determine the dura-
lion and conditions of the armistice.
The propositions submitted by General
woodford and reply of the Spanish gov
were both in the form of brief
the texts of which are be-
lore me, and are substantially in the Ian
yuage given above. The function of the
Cuban parliament in the matter of pre-
,aring" peace and the manner of its
ioing so are not expressed in the Span
sh memorandum: but from General
explanatory reports of pre-
iminary discussions preceding the final
conference it is understood that the
spanish government stands ready to
hA Inc full In
ettle the terms of peace with the insurg-
by direct negotiation or
Indirectly by means of legislation does
lot appear With this last overture in
he direction of immediate peace ana its
Disappointing reception by Spain the ex-
cutive was brought to the end of his
fort.
In my annual message of December
asst said: "Of the untried measures
here remain only recognition of the in
as belligerents; recognition Of
he independence of Cuba; neutral in
ervention.
o end the war by imposing a rational
ompromise between the contestants
nd Intervention in favor of one or the
ther party. l speak not of forcible an
exation. for that cannot be thought OF.
hat by our code of morality would be
riminal aggression"
Thereupon, l reviewed these alterna-
ives. in the light of President Grants
leasured words. uttered in 1875, when
fter seven years of sanguinary, de-
tructive and cruel hostilities in Cuba,
e reached the conclusion that the rec
gnition of the independence of Cuba
'as impracticable and indefensible;
nd that the recognition of belligerency
ias not warranted by the facts, accord
Is to the tests of public law. l COM
rented especially upon the latter aspect
the question, pointing out the lncon-
and positive dangers OF a rec
gnition of belligerence. which. while
dding to the already onerous burdens of
eutrality within our own Jurisdiction.
ould not in any way extend our infiu-
nee or effective offices In the territory
hostiiities. Nothing has since oc-
lrred to change my view in this regard.
nd l recognize as fully now as then
lat the issuance of a proclamation of