The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1898-03-31
SPAIN WILL BE INFORMED
That the War in Cuba Has Become
IntolerabIe and Must Cease.
spain's Promise Has Not Been Fulfilled
The Time In Which the War Must Ter
inmate Has Been FiIed-Torpedo
FlotiIla VIII BE Stopped.

Flotilla VIII BE stopped.
WASHINGTON, March est can be
stated on positive information tha,
this government will, if indeed il
has not already done so, inform
Spain that the conditions now existing
in Cuba have become intolerable to the
people of this country, and that hostil.
tiles on the island must close. This
policy is indirectly with the views OF
the president as expressed in his last
message TO congress on December 8.
In that message he said: The instruc-
tions given to our new minister to
Spain before his departure for his
post directed him to impress upon that
government the sincere wish OF
the United States TO lend its aid
toward the ending of the war in Cuba
by reaching peaceful and lasting re-
suit, just and honorable alike TO Spain
and to the Cuban people. These in
structions recited the character and
duration of the contest, the widespread
losses it entails, the burdens and re-
straints it imposes upon us, with con-
slant disturbance of national interests
and the injury resulting from an in
definite continuance of this state of
things. No solution was pro-
posed to which the slightest idea of hu-
initiation to Spain could attach,
and indeed precise proposals were
withheld to avoid embarrassment to
that government" After reciting the
substance of Spain's reply received on
October 90 last, the president says:
THE immediate amelioration of ex-
listing conditions under the new ad-
ministration of Cuban affairs is pre-
dicted and therewithal the distur b.
ance and all occasion for any change
of attitude on the part of the United
States"
Since the delivery of this message
evidence has accumulated showing be-
yond question that the promise in be-
half of the new administration, to re-
lieve the conditions in Cuba, have not
been fulfilled or accomplished. On the
contrary the evidence which has
reached the president shows coRclu-
sively that the situation is daily be-
coming more serious.
The time has been fixed within
which the war must be terminated,
,ut it is believed that it is the purpose
of the administration not TO permit of
any unnecessary or extended delay 1t
is known in high official circles that
many of the people highest in author
ity in Spain, including members
of the ministry, are extremely
weary of the conflict in Cuba
and would willingly accede to any rea-
sonable terms for settlement of the
whole question by granting to Cuba
her independence on an indemnity
basis. The opposition to this plan
comes from the factions opposed to the
present administration, who demand
extreme measures If necessary to re-
tain control of the island. In view of
these conditions what will be the an
swer to our demands can not be fore
told.
Nothing short of actual hostilities
could render the situation more critic
al. War can hardly be delayed longer
than to the time when the Spanish tor
pedo fleet comes within striking dis
tance This feet is not TO be permitted
TO reach Havana. The fleet must be
turned back or stopped on the way If
Spain does not intend war. 1t is an
accepted proposition that war is
inevitable unless Spain recedes at
once, and it is not intended that
the Spanish torpedo feet shall
be in a position to do damage
to our fleet before the Spanish pur-
pose is unmasked. The torpedo feet |
must stop short of Havana or war will |
begin and an effort will be made to de-
stroy the torpedo boats before they |
have themselves begun the work OF de-
struction. Under ordinary circum-
stances this country has no right to in
terfere with Spain's distribution of her |
navy. We have no right to demand |
that she turn back her feet, but we have |
right to interpret her action in send
ing the fleet Our Interpretation will be |
made in the light of recent events and
the existing conditions. If this gov
ernment were not bent on preserving
peace it might be held that we had
ample grounds for closing the issue.
II Spain is willing to preserve in the
proper way this government is willing
10 withhold its hands. But IL the
torpedo feet proceeds TO Havana, that
will be regarded as positive evidence
of hostile intent
Peace can be preserved, it is assert
ed, only on the basis OF Spain's stop
ping warfare on the island of Cuba
The sending to Havana of feet fitted
only for service against our own war
vessels is not a compliance nor evil
dence of an intention to comply with
the demands this government must
make for the restoration of peace in
Cuba. If the torpedo feet Is TO pro-
ceed, this government will not longer
the demand for cessation of
ostilities in Cuba and it is said that
the demand will be made imperative
and TO go Immediately into effect
Michigan Students Aroused.
DETROIT, Mich., March 2s.-Five hun
dred students of Ann Arbor, after an
excited meeting, telegraphed to Presi'
dent Mckinley indorsing his course.
They offer their services TO Secretary
Of War Alger, and Secretary Day was
urging war. The work OF
forming a regiment will commence