Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1898-04-15


Meanwhile the military situation in the
island had undergone noticeable change
The extraordinary activity that charac-
terized the second year OF the war, when
tho insurgents invaded the hitherto I'M
harmed fields Of Pinar del Rio and car
ried havoc and restitution up to the walls
Of the city Of Havana itself, had relapsed
into logged struggle In tho central and
eastern provinces. Tho Spanish arms re.
gained q measure of control In Pinar del
Rio and parts of Havana, but, under the
existing conditions of the rural country,
without immediate improvement OF their
productive situation. Even thus partially
restricted, the revolutionists held their
own, and their submission, put forward by
Spain as the essential and sole basis OF
peace, seemed a. far distant 90 at the out
rot. -
The Change Of lliDistry.
In this state Of affairs, my administra-
ton found itself confronted with the
grave problem Of it's duty. Ny message
Of last December reviewed the situation
and detailed the steps taken
with view of relieving Its
acuteness and opening the way to some
form of honorable settlement. The as
sassination Of the prime minister, Canovas,
led to q change Of government In Spain.
The former administration, pledged to
subjuRation without concession, gave
place to that Of y more liberal party, COM
mitted long in advance to a policy OF re-
form involving the wider principles OF
home rule for Cuba and Porto Rico.
The overtures of this government, made
through it's new envoy, General Wood
ford, and looking to an immediate and
effective amelioration of the condition OF
the island, 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 offered to Cuba without
waiting for the war to end,
and that more humane meth
DDS should thenceforth prevail In
the conduct of hostilities. Incidentally
with these declarations, tho new govern
ment of Spain continued and completed
the policy already begun by its predeces'
sor Of testifying friendly regard for this
nation by releasing American citizens
held under one charge or another con-
nected with tho instruction, 80 that by
the end Of November not single person
entitled in any way to our national pro-
lection remained in . Spanish prison.
Reoonoeutrados Kept On Dying.
While these negotiations were in pro-
Qress, the increasing restitution OF the
unfortunate reconcentrados and tho
alarming mortality among them claimed
earnest attention. The success which had
attended tho limited measure Of relief OK
tended to tho suffering American citizens
among them by the judicious expenditure
through the consular agencies Of the
money appropriated expressly for their
succor by the joint resolution approved
May "a, 1897, prompted the humane OK
tension of similar scheme of aid to the
great body of sufferers.
The Appeal Of December Last.
On the 4th of December last caused to
be issued an appeal the American people,
inviting contributions in money or in any
kind for the succor of the starving suf-
ferers in Cuba; following this on the Sth
of January by similar public announce
ment of the formation of q central Cub ban
committee, with headquarters In New
York city, composed of three members
representing the Red Cross and the re-
ligious and business elements of the COM
munity The efforts of that. committee
have been untiring and accomplished
much, Arrangements for free transpor-
tation to Cuba have greatly aided the
charitable work. The president Of the
American Red Cross and the representa-
tives of other contributory organizations
have generously visited Cuba and co.
operated with the consul general and the
local authorities to make effective dtstrib'
ution of the relief collected through
tho central committee. Nearly, $2O,OW
in money and supplies has already reached
the sufferers, and more is forthcoming.
The supplies ore admitted duty free, and
transportation to the interior has been ar.
ranged, SO that the relief, at first neces-
sarily confined to Havana and the larger
cities, Is now extended through most, ii
not oil, Of the towns where suffering ex-
lists. Thousands Of lives have already
been saved.
Necessity for Change Rseognix"d.
The necessity for change in tho con.
dition Of the reconcentrados Is recognized
by the Spanish government Within q
few days past, the orders OF General Wey-
Ter have been revoked. The reconcentrs'
doA it is said, are to be permitted to re-
turn to their homes and aided to
resume tho self-supporting pursuits OF
peace; public works have been ordered to
give them employment, and q sum OF
600, 900 has been appropriated for their
relief. The war In Cuba is of such q ma
ture that short of subjugation or exter-
mination final military victory for either
side seems impracticable. The alternative
lies in the physical exhaustion of the one
or the other party or perhaps both, a con-
dition which, in effect, ended the ten
years. war, by the truce Of Zanjohn.
The prospect Of such protractiou and