The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-12

peace, seemed as far distant as at the out
set.
VAIN ATTEMPT TO SECURE PEACE.
In this state Of affairs my administration
found itself confronted with the grave
problem OF Its duty. My last message de-
tailed the steps taken with view OF re-
neying the acUteness and opening the
way to some form OF honorable settlement.
The assassination OF Prime Minister Can
ovas led to a change OF government In
Spain. The former administration, which
had pledged subjugation without conces-
sion gave place TO that OF a more liberal
party. committed long In advance to a pol
icy OF reform involving the wider principle
OF home rule for Cuba and Porto Rico.
The cveftures OF this government made
through its new envoy. Gen. Woodford.
and looking to an immediate effective
ameiioration OF the condition of the island,
although not according concessions to the
extent OF admitted mediation In any
shape. were met By assurances that home
rule 10 an advanced phase would be
forthwith offered to Cuba. without wait
Ing for the war TO end. and that more hui
name methods would thenceforth pre-
vail In the conduct OF hostilfties.
Incidentally with these declarations. the
new government of Spain continued and
completed the policy, already begun by
It's predecessor. of testifying friendly re-
gard for this nation by releasing Ameri-
can citizens held under one charge or an
other contained with tho fnsurrcction.
80 that by the end OF November. not a
single person entitled in any way to our
national protection. reci!ned in Spanish
prison.
While these negotiations were In prog
ress the increasing restitution OF the UNI
fortunate reccncentrados and the alarm
ing mortality among them claimed ear
nest attention. The success which had at
tended the limited measure OF relief, ex-
tended TO suffering American citizens
among them by the judicious expendi-
fure. through the consular agencies. Of
money appropriated especially for their
suceor by the joint resolution Of May -.
1897. prompted the humane extension Of a
similar scheme to that great body OF SUI
ferers. A suggestion 10 this end was con-
CURED In by the Spanish authorities.
AID FROM THE UNITED STATES.
BY The 4th of December I caused TO be
issued an appeal 20 the American people
invit!ng contributions OF money or in kind
for the succor of starving sufferers in
Cuba, Following this, ON the 18th OF Jam
uary. similar announcement was made
Of the formation OF i central Cuban
relief committee with headquarters Ia
New York composed OF members repre-
seating the National Red Cross and the
religious and business elements OF the
country The efforts Of that committee
have been untirsng and have accomplish
ed much. Arrangements for free trans
rorsatlon to Cuba have greatly aided the
charitable work. The president OF the
American Red Cross AMI representatives
OF other consri6utory organizations have
visited Cuba ard co-opera,ed with The
consul general and the local authorities
To make effective distribution NJ RELIEF
collected through the efforts 81 the CEN
trial committee Nearly saeo,oo in money
ard supplies hiss already reached The suf-
ferers, and more Is forthcoming. The sup
plies ara admitted duty free and srans-
psriation 10 the interior has been ar
ranged so that the rel.es AT the FIRST ne
ecsssrly cousfine.i 20 Havana ard the larger
cities, is now extended TO All the towns
Where suffering existed, Thousands OF
lives have been saved
The necessity for relief of the sufferers
Is recognized by the spanish government.
Within few days past the orders OF Gen.
Weyier have been revoked, the reconcen-
TRADES are 10 be permitted 20 return 20
their homes and aided to resume the self
supporting pursuits OF peace. public works
having neen started 10 give them employ =
facnt, and a sum OF ssa.aD has been APP
pointed for their r-iiss.
thar sAert ~ subtugaton or determination
a faal military victory for either side
seems inpfaciicahie The alternative lies
IN the physical exhaustion ~ one Of the
other party or perhaps both. n condition
Whch IL effect ended the ten years war
by ;ns truce of canton. The prospect ~
such a protection aaa conclusion 81 the
pTesent strife is contingency hardly 10
Be contemplated Win @iuanimsty by she
civilized world ard ssass OF all by the
United States, affected as We are deeply
snd Intimately hy It's very existence.
EVASION az ~ tHNtSrlCE.
Realizing this. z appeared TO lie my
aaEg. ia spirit Of tgae rrisaaasm~Ss no
lsss 80 Spain than 20 THE s,utans wins
hatn - much 70 lose by the psosan "a tsssf,
az the struggle. 10 seek 10 bring about
81 suss4ess{ats termination ef tire war. To
tais end I submitted on IA. sgfA saffgrr,o
- - Fysss'; of much representa- Ion and cor
rsslSsF3efsce tkc0nRh she United States
nai2.stsr a. Madrid. = proposition saeksas
"a an arm.sgiee untI Oct. I. Cor the ne
xsttasiaa Of peace VITA the good osfscss Of
abe president
Il addstsaa, I asked the revocation q.
IA esder 81 rsseHcsn;rassoa 81 "a "a per
1sfS sha ueSpie ~ fstsFn ta taxir farsnS
416 that ths needy BE- rsirxesi a r-xv-
Z ssoEs aae saepses the United s:ases
ess~eg~szssnx vash Tire Spanish xashaxl.
ssss 50 "a - arsr5 fuls relief. TIE rersS
q sas Spanish s2asaet WAS received %