The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-04-15


new government of Spain continued and
completed the policy already begun by its
predecessor, of testifying friendly regard
Tor TINS nation by releasing h Amerioan CIT,
connected with the instruction, so that,
by the end of November not single per-
remained MAY Spanish TIs prisoa
While these negotiations were in pro-
gress, the increasing restitution OF the
unfortunate reconcentrados aud the
earnest attention. The success which
had attended the limited measure of re-
lief extended to the 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 APP
extension OF a similar scheme of aid to
the great body OF sufferers. A suggestion
to this end was acquiesced in by the
Spanish authorities. On the oath of De-
cember last caused to be issued an APP
peal to the American people, inviting
contribute. ms in money or in kind for the
succor OF the starving sufferers in Cuba,
a similar public announcement of the
formation of a Central Cuban Relief
Committee with headquarters in New
York city, composed of three members
representing the American National Red
Cross and the religious and business ele-
ments or the cormunltY. The efforts of
that committee have b. an untiring and
free transportation to Cuba have greatly
aided the charitable work. The president
of the American Red Cross and represent
atives of other .contributory organizations
have generously visited Cuba, and CO.
operated with the consul-general an 1
the local authorities to make effective
the efforts of the central committee.
Nearly 900 in money and supplies has
already reached the sufferers, and more
Is forthcoming. The supplies are admit
TRANSFORMATION
interior has been arranged, so that the
relief, at first necessarily confined to Ha-
vana and the larger cities, is now ex-
tended through most, if not all. of the
towns where suffering exists. Thousands
of lives have already been saved. The ne
cessity for a change in the condition of
Spanish government. Within a few days
past. the orders of Gen. Weyler have been
revoked, the reconcentrados are, 1t Is said,
to be permitted to return to their homes,
and aided to resume the self-supporting
pursuits of peace; public works have been
ordered to give them employment and a
their relief.
The war in Cuba is of such a nature that
snort OF Subjugation or determination a
final military victory for either side seems
impracticable. The alternative lies in the
physical exhaustion of the one or the
other party, or perhaps of both-a condi-
ton which In effect ended the ten years
war by the truce of Zanjon. The prospect
OF such protraction and conclusion of the
present strife is a contingency hardly to
be contemplated with equanimity by the
United States, affected and injured as we
are, deeply and intimately by it's very ex-
istence.
Realizing this, it appeared t my
duty, in a spirit of true friend no
less to Spain than to the Cubans, y have
so much to lose by the prolonged N of the
struggle, to seek to bring about an imr e..
date termination Of the war. To this id
submitted. on the 9th ultimo, as a e.
suit OF much representation aid co e.
spondence, through the United States min
ish government looking to an armistice
until October 1 for the negotiation of
peace with the good offices of the presi-
dent.
In addition, 1 asked the immedi-
ate revocation of the order of
recommendation, SO as to permit
the people to return to their farms and
and supplies from the United States, CO.
operating with the Spanish authorities so
as to afford full relief.
The reply of the Spanish cabinet was
received on the night of the 31st ultimo.
1t offers, as the means to bring about
peace in Cuba, to confide the preparation
thereof to the insular parliament, mas
much as the concurrence of that body
would be necessary to reach a final re-
suit, it being, however, understood that
the powers reserved by the constitution to
the central government are not lessened
or diminished. AS the Cuban parliament
does not meet until the 4th of May, next
the Spanish government would not object,
sion of hostilities, if asked for by the in
surgentS from the general-in-chief, to
whom it would pertain, in such case. ia
determine the duration and conditions OF
the armistice.
The propositions submitted by Gen.
Woodford and the reply of the Spanish
government were both in the form OF
brief memoranda, the texts of which are
before me, and are substantially in the
language above given. The function OF
the Cuban parliament in the matter OF
preparing" peace and the manner of its
doing so are not expressed in the Spanish
memorandum; but from Gen. Wood
ford's explanatory reports of preliminary
discussions preceding the final conference
1t Is understood that the Spanish govern
ment stands ready to give the insular
congress full powers to settle the terms
of peace with the insurgents-whether by
direct negotiation or indirectly by means
of legislation does not appear.
With this last overture in the direction
of immediate peace, and it's disappointing
reception by Spain, the executive was
brought to the end Of his effort. In my
annual message of December last said
"Of the untried measures there remain
only: Recognition of the insurgents as
belligerents recognition of the independ-
ence of Cuba: natural intervention to end
the war by imposing a rational comprom-
Use between the contestants and interven-
ton in favor of one or the other party.
L
that cannot be thought of. That, by our
code of morality, would be criminal ag-
gression."
Thereupon ] reviewed these alterna-
tives, in the light of President Grants
measured words, uttered in 1875, when
after seven years of sanguinary, destruc-
tive and cruel hostilities in Cuba, he
reached the conclusion that the recogni-
ton of the independence of Cuba was i'm
practicable and indefensible; and that the
recognition of belligerence was not war
ranted by the facts according to the tests
of public law. 1 commented especially
upon the latter aspect of the question
pointing out the inconvenience and
positive dangers of q recognition of bel
iigerency which, while adding to the al
ready onerouf burdens Of neutrality with
in isdictiUn, o''1 7o any
way extend our influence or effective
offices in the territory of hostilities Moth
ing has since occurred to change my view
I'm this regard. and 1 recognize as fully
now as then that the issuance of Il proc
lamation of neutrality. by which process
the so-called recognition Of belllgerence is
published, could of itself and unattended
by other action, accomplished nothing to-
ward the one end for which we labor, the
instant pacificaton of Cuba and the cess
alton of the misery that afflicts the
of lot, a