Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-04-14
WAR With Spain.

The conditions have not materially
changed since last week, but OF course
we are one week nearer war or peace !
than then. The President has sent in /
his long delayed message which we |
condense. Gen. Lee and all Americans
who desired have left Havana amid !
Kisses and houting by Spaniards. Gen.
Blanco snubbed Gen Lee when he call
ed to bid him good bye, and this insol-
ence has not tended to help the Span
ish cause. On Saturday Spain made
a final attempt at peace. She sent the
following to her minister at Washing
tom
nFirst-Her Majesty the Queen Re
gent of Spain, DESTROYS OF ending the
troubles which are desolatlnR CUBA,
has commanded a suspension OF hos
tilities General Blanco has been or
dered to proclaim today an armistlc
without conditions. He Will determine
later the duration and details OF TINS
armisticc. 30 as to carry out the gener-
ous Intentions of her Majesty and the
wishes of the friends OF peace.
"Second-Her M jesty's government
has granted to the island of Cuba in
lstitntions as liberal as those enjoyed
nv Canada under the British flag. The
1inban chambers will meet on May 4th
next. 1t will be their duty and pri
vilege to put into practice and develop
these institutions. In addition to this,
Cuba is represented in the Parliament
at Madrid.
try appears to ignore the fact that the
: loss of the Maine was Immediately fol
lowed by official and reiterated express
sions of coincidence from her Majesty
; the Queen, from her government, IRON
= her charge de affaires in Washington
and from the authorities 10 havana
;, ali of which tended to affirm the hor
ror which this disaster has caused q
arise in Spanish hearts, as also III
= sympathy felt for the United States
govern msls and navy and for tn.
American nation,
1.-The Spanish minister feels conhden
that he can count upon the courtes
land sense of Justice of the Unite
States government to enllgnten pun
> opinion upon this subject.
"Fourth-As to the cause OF tn!
lamentable disaster, it resolved 1tsel
into a. question of facts which can onl
:. be settled by material proofs. In
u Snanish minister reiterates the assn
!. ance that his government is ready {
. submit the question to experts d
4 signated by the maritime power
whose conclusions are in advance az
az cepted.'
The Message.
Eel The long looked for message OF tt
a President on the Cuban situation w
q sent to Congress Monday.
W The President in the preface CIV
IN a summary of the history of Cuba. 4
"a the past half century, the last thr
Ill yeals' conflict, the desolate picture nc
Sc presented, the paralizing OF trade
Cuba and the disastrous effects up'
ne that OF the United States, as we'll
at the interests of citizens Of this count
or who have investments in the lslal
tn now in the throes of war. He ravie
d. the action of the United States in
efforts to bring about satisfacto
ad state of affairs in Cuba, the money
he tended in endeavors to prevent fll6!
"a tering and the patience with will
this country has viewed the desolatl
in that island. He says:
os The policy of devastation and &C
Ne centration, inaugurated by the Vi
No tain Generals Bando ofsOctober
1896, in the province Of Pinar del
eta was thence extended to embrace all
Eek the islands to which the power OF
Elk Spanish arms was able to reach by
cupation or by military operatlo
sls. The peasantry, including all dwell
elk. in the open agricultural interior,
driven into the garrison towns or /
lated places held by the troops.
The raising and movement OF p
visions of all kinds were interrupt
ite- The fields were laid waste, dweilll
yes uuroofed and Hired, mills oestfoN
the and. in short, everything, that co
cor ,tesolate the land and render it III
sed for human habitation or support '
rho comD.e-rs. ed by one or the other OF
ira parties and executed
, ars Fl their dis%oEaL q,