Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-12-09

form to when she had become irrevocanly
committed. Within few weeks previous
which It was confidently asserted would
be eff1cacious to remedy the evils SO deep
ly affecting our own country, so injurious
as well as to those of Cuba, and so repug-
nant to the universal sentiment of hui
mainly.
The ensuing month brought little sign Of
real progress toward the qualification Of
Cuba. The autonomous administration set
UP cities eaa dn not To GAIN
of the Inhabitants nor to be able to extend
their influence to the large extent Of ter
military arm, obviously unable to cope
with the still active rebellion, continued
many Of the most Objectionable and offen-
preceded 1t. No tangible relief was az
forded the vast numbers Of unhappy re-
concentrates despite the reiterated pro-
amount, appropriated by. Spain to that
end. The proffered expedient of zones Of
cultivation proved illusofW; indeed. no less
succor could well have been rendered to the
exhausted and destitute people, stripped Of
herded in a strange region among unsym-
pathetic strangers hardly less necessitous
than themselves.
among them had frightfully increased.
Conservative estimates from Spanish
sources placed the deaths among these dis
time Gen. Weyler's decree of reconcentra-
ton was enforced. With the acquiescence
Of the Spanish authorities a scheme was
adopted for relief by charitable contribu-
tions raised in this country and distrib-
| uted under the direction of the consul-gen-
eral and several consuls by noble and ear
lied agencies of the American Red Cross
Thousands of lives were thus saved. but
many thousands more were inaccessible to
such forms of aid.
The war continued on the old footing
without comprehensive plan. developing
only the same spasmodic encounters, bar
rem of strategic result, that had marked the
course of the earlier ten years rebellion as
well as the present insurrection from its
NC Of eer there
withal the practical ruin OF the island lay
in sight, but how far distant no one could
venture to conjecture.
Destruction of the Maine.
At this juncture. on the lsth-ef -Febru-
airy last occurred the destruction of the
bsttleship Mains while rishtfuliy lying in
catastrophe the suspicious nature and hor-
ror of which stirred the nations heart pro-
foundry. It is a striking evidence Of the
poise and sturdy good sense distinguishing
our national character that this shocking
blow, falling upon generous people. a..
sa s aep e1e nS Them fe AIN nSan
existence of condition Of danger and dis
OrQer at our doors tndC mace pOSSlDle SuCu
deed by whomsoever wrought. Yet the
anxiously awaited the result of the search
finding nj Of the naval board Of inquiry estab-
lished that the origin Of the explosion was
external by submarins nine and only
to fix the responsibility Of its authorship.
Action of Consress.
All these things carried conviction to the
most thoughtful, even before the finding
Of the naval court. that crisis In our re.
Assdea 5pt s srsf saes sasss s
di Ha az answer to the duty Of making instant
provision for the possible and perhaps
speedily probable emergency of war, and the
preset presented Of a unanimops Vote Of botk
houses on the 9th of March, appropriating
$780, ooo. "for the national defenses and Tor
M The president es That this act Of provision
cp ppIsca alton OF Of the the fund was undertaksn
| our forts were practically undefended. Our
navy needed large provision for increased
ammunition and supplies. and even num-
bers to cope with any sudden attack from
ern Vessels Of the highest type Of cont;
mental perfection. Our army also required
q and Sor Ih e
| of the secretaries of war and Of the navy,
| and need not be repeated here 1t is sum-
war, when 1t did come, found our nation not
| unprepared to meet the conflict.
| Nor was the apprehension of coming
| strife confined to our own country, IT was
| felt by the continental powers which, on
| April 6. through their ambassadors and
preston Of hope that humanity and mod
GRAFTON might mark the course of this gov
eminent and people, and that further nego-
tiations would lead to an agreement which,
while securing the maintenance Of peace,
would affirm all necessary, guarantees for
responding to. that representation. also
shared the hope that the ENJOYS had ex-
| pressed that peace might be preserved IN
| Q manner to terminate the chronic condi-
tion of disturbance In Cuba SO injurious
and menacing to our interests and tran
| ments of humanity; and, while appreciat-
! ing the Humanitarian and dtslnterested
I character Of the communication they had
made on behalf Of the powers, stated the
that equal appreciation would be shown for
/ its own earnest and unself1sh endeavors to
| fulfill q duty to humanity by ending sit
nation, the indefinite prolongation Of which
had become insufferable.
Efforts Continued.
Still animated by the hope of peaceful
solution and obeying the dictates of duty,
no effort was relaxed to bring about
speedy ending Of the Cuba nstruggle; Ne
with the government of Spain, looking to
the immediate conclusion of six months
armistice in Cuba with a view to effect the
'raeogniton Of her peopla's right to inde.
4