Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-04-16

Nv ~ = 80 ~
of the president last December that
RECOMMENDATION was not civilized war
fare but determination. The only
peace it could beget was that of the
wilderness and the grave. After the
fierce activity of the second year of
war, matters settled down 10 a logged
struggle in which the Spanish demand
for submissions Of insurgents appear
ed 10 approach no nearer its realiza-
ton. This brought the matter down
10 the message of last December. The
assassination of Premier Canoyas and
The change of government with a
change of policy then dealt with n
movement in the direction of granting
a measure Of home rule to Cuba and
Porto Rico set forth and the promise
Of Spain 10 conduct the war on more
humane lines. The release Of Amer
cans I'm prison la Cuba is noted and il
was pointed out at the end of Novem-
Der that not an American was held on
the island.
Help for Recommendations.
The Red Cross and representatives OF
other contributory organizations gen.
erously visited Cuba aud co-operated
with the consul general and local au'
thorities TO make effective the distribu-
ton of relief collected through the
efforts OF a central committee. Nearly
100000 in money and supplies have al
| ready reached the sufferers, and more
is forthcoming. Thousands OF lives
have already been saved. The ne
cessity for a change OF the condition
Of the reconcentrados is recognized 10y
the Spanish government. Weyler's or
ders have been revoked. The reconcen
trados, il Is said, will be permitted t.
return TO their homes, and, aided, re
peace; public works have been ordered
and 100000 appropriated for their re
lief.
Why He INTERVIEWED.
The war of Cuba is of such a natur,
that, hort of subjugation or extermi
nation, the final military victory o
either side, seems impracticable. Real
izing hat the alternative lies i'm phys
ical exhaustion of one or the othel
party, or perhaps both, In a spirit o.
true friendliness, no less TO Spain thar
to the Cubans, who have so much Il
lose by prolongation of the struggle
it appeared to be my duty to see Il
bringing about IN immediate end OF
the war. TO this end / submitted on
the 9th ult., as "A result of such repre-
%sentatlon and correspondence, through
the United States minister at Madrid
proposition to the Spanish government
looking 10 an armistice until October
for the negotiation of peace with the
good offices of the president. In add.
ton | asked the immediate revocation
of the order of the reconcentrados.
Negotiations Closed.
The reply of the Spanish cabinet was
received on the night of the 3lst ult
1t offers, as a means to bring about
peace in Cuba, TO confine the prepare.
tons thereof TO the insular depart
ment, il being, however, understood
that the powers reserved by the con,
stitution to the central government
was not lessened or diminished. As
the Cuban parliament does not meet
until May 4 the Spanish government
would accept at once Il suspension OF
hostiliJies if asked by the insurgents
from the general i'm chief, to whom il
would pertain. in such, ease. & deter.
mine the duration and the condition of
the armistice. The propositions sub
mitted by Woodford and the reply of
Spain were both in the form of a brief
memoranda. the text of which Is before
me, and are substantially in the Ian
gauge above given. While it is under
stood the government stands ready 10
give the insular congress full powers
to settle the terms of peace with the
insurgents, whether it is TO be done
by direct negotiation or by means of
legislation does not appear.
With this last overture in the direc-
ton OF immediate peace and its disap-
pointing reception by Spain, the execu-
tive was brought to the end OF his eff
fort.
against Recognizing Independence
The president then quotes from his