St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-04-13

proved illusory as a remedy for the suf-
fering. The unfortunates, being for the
most part women and children with
aged and helpless men, enfeebled by dis
ease and hunger, could not have titled
the soil without tools, seed or shelter
for their own support or for the support
of the cities. The recommendation,
adopted avowedly as war measure, In
order to cut off the resources Of the in
surgents, worked its predestined result.
AS | said in my message of last Cecem-
Der, it was not civilized warfare. 1t was
determination. The only peace 1t could
beget was that of the wilderness and the
grave
Meanwhile, the military situation in
the island had undergone noticeable
change. The extraordinary activity
that characterized the second year Of
the war, when the insurgents invaded
even the hitherto unframed fields of
Pinar del Rio and carried havoc and de-
struction up to the walls of the city Of
Havana itself, had relapsed into a
logged strguule in the central and east
ern provinces. The Spanish arms re-
gained a measure of control in Plnar
del Rio and parts of Havana, but under
the existing conditions Of the rural coun-
try, without immediate improvement Of
their productive situation. Even thus
partially restricted, the revolutionists
held their own, and their conquest and
submission, put forward by Spain as the
essential and sole basis of peace, seemed
as far distant as at the outset.
In this state of affairs, my admlnistra-
ton found itself confronted with grave
problem of its duty. My message of last
December reviewed the situation and
narrated the steps taken with view to
relieving its actueness and opening the
way to some form of honorable settle
ment. The assassination of the prime
minister, Canovas, led to a change OF
government in Spain. The former ad-
ministration, pledged to subjugation
without concession, gave place to that
of more liberal party, committed long
in advance to a policy of REFORM involv-
ing the widest principle of home rule for
Cuba and Porto Rico. The overtures of
this government, made through its new
envoy General Woodford, and looking
to an immediate and effective amelora-
ton of the condition of the island, al.
though not accepted to the extent of ad-
mitted mediation In any shape, were
met by assurances that home rule, in ar
advanced phase, would be forthwith Of
fered to Cuba, without waiting for thu
war to end, and that more humane meth
DDS should thenceforth prevail in tn,
conduct of hostiltes. Coincidentally
with these declarations, the new govern
ment of Spain continued and completed
the policy already begun by it's predeces
sor of testifying friendly regard for thi
nation by releasing American citizens
held under one charge or another con
nected with the Instruction, so that, b,
the end of November, not a single person
entitled in any way to our national pro
lection remained in Spanish prison.
While these negotiations were in prog
ress, the increasing destituion of the un
fortunate reconcentrados and tn
alarming mortality among them elaine,
earnest attention. The success which ha,
attended the limited measure of relic
extended to the,suffering American citi
zens among them by the judicious ex
penditure, through the consular agent.
of the money appropriated expressly 70
their succor by the joint resolution ap
proved May "a, 1897, prompted the hu
name extension of a similar scheme c
aid to the great body of sufferers. .
suggestion to this end was acquiesce
N nv IN a.,
oath of December last / caused to be is
sued an appeal to the American peopl
inviting contributions in money or
kind for the succor Of the starving sui
ferers in Cuba. following this on the st
of January by similar public al
nouncement of the formation Of a Ger
trail Cuban relief committee, with heaC
quarters in New York city, composed
three members. representing the Amer
can National Red Cross and the reigo,
and business elements of the communit
The efforts of that committee have bee
untiring and have accomplished nue.
Arrangements for free transportatic
to Cuba have greatly aided the Chart,
BILE work, The president of the Amer
can Red Cross and representatives
other contributory organizations ha,
generously visited Cuba and cooper,
ted with the consul general and the loo
authorities to make effective dlstribr
ton of the relief collected through Il
: efforts of the central committee.
) Nearly 100000 in money and suppl
| has already reached the sufferers al
a more Is forthcoming. The supplies q
d admitted duty free and transportatl
!, to the interior has been arranged so tn
: the relief, at first necessarily confined
e Havana and the larger cities, is now e
}. tended through most II not all OF t
: towns where the suffering exists. Tho
4 sands of lives have already been saw,
4 The necessity for change in the co
: dltion Of the reconcentrados is recc
n nized by the Spanish government. wit
e In few days past the orders OF Gene,
s. Weyer have been revoked the reconce
"a trados, 1t is said, to be permitted to
1t turn to their homes and aided to resu,
s, the sslf-supporting pursuits of pea