Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1898-12-08
SPAIN AND CUBA.
A Resume of the Conditions which
Led Up to the War.


In my last annual message very full con
sderaton was given to the question OF
the duty of the government OF the United
States toward Spain and the Cuban in
surrection as being by far the most inn
portant problem with which we were then
called upon to deal The consideration
then advanced, and the exposition of the
views therein expressed, disclosed my
sense of the extreme gravity Of the stu
alton. Setting aside, as logically un-
founded or practically inadmissihle, the
recognition OF the independence OF Cuba,
neutral Intervention TO end the war by i'm
posing "A rational compromise between the
contestants. Intervention in favor OF one
or the other party, and torcible annexation
OF the island, | concluded IL was honestly
due TO our friendly relations with Spain
that she should be given a reasonable
chance to realize her expectations OF re-
form TO which she had become irrevoca bly,
committed. Within a few weeks previous
~ she had announced comprehensive plans,
which IL was confidently asserted would
be efficaclous to remedy the evils so deep
~ Affecting our own country, so injurious
10 the true interests of thaaznother country
as we'll as to those or Cuba, and so repug.
nant to the universal sentiment of hui
The ensuing month brought little sign of
real progress toward tho pacidcation OF
Cuoa ne autonomous administration set
up N the capital and some OF the prin-
cipal cities appeared not to gain the favor
OF the Inhabitants nor to be able to extend
their tnnuenca to the large extent of ter
ritory held by the insurgents while the
military arm, obviously unable to cope
with ths still active rebellion, continued
many OF thu most Objectionable and often
sive policies OF ths government that had
preceded IT, No tangible relief was at
forded the vast numbers of unhappy re-
concentrates despite the reiterated pro-
LESSONS made in that regard and the
amount appropriated by Spain 10 that
md The pronered sKpedlent OF zones or
cultivation proved illusory. indeed, no less
practical nor more dslusive promises of
succor could well havs been rendered 10 the
1ANftrfItA = frtF, Lot
all that mads life and homo dear and
/ herdsd in strange region among unsym-
than themselves
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 Instruction from its
start No alternative save physical ex-
haustion OF either combatant and there
wlthal The practical ruin OF the island lay
/ IN sight. but how far distant no ono could
venture to conjecture.
Destruction Of the Maine.
At this tuncturs. on the 18th OF Fehru-
AIRY last. occurred the destruction of the
/ battleship Maine. while rightfuly lying in
ths hAroor OF havana ON mission of IN
ternational courtesy and good villa
catastrophe the suspicious nature and hor-
/ ror OF which stirred the nations heart pro-
founGly. II Is 4 striking evidence Of the
! poise and sturdy good sense distinguishing
our national character that this shocking
/ blow, failing upon a generous people, al
/ ready deeply touched by preceding event ;
4 in Cuba. did not move them to an Instant
Desperate resolve 10 tolerate no longer the
existence Of condition Of danger and dis
/ order at our doors that made possible such
a deed by WhomsoeVer wrought Yet the
! instinct OF justice prevailed ana the nation
anNiously awaited the result OF the search
/ ing investigation at once set on foot. The
hndins or tto naval board OF inquiry estab-
+ iished that the origin OF the explosion was
/ external by a submarine mine. ana only
Halted thFou&h laek of positive testimony