Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1898-04-13
THE MESSAGE.

tne CuDau SlIudOiOh "ao ocno " OoH
gress to-day. He says:
"The policy of devastation and concentra-
ton, inaugurated by the Captain Generals
bando Of October 81, 1896. in the province Of
Pinar del Rio was thence extended to en-
brace all of the islands to which the power
of the Spanish arms was able to reach by oc-
cupation or by military operations. The
peasantry, including all dwelling in the open
agricultural interior, was driven into the
garrison towns or isolated places held by
the troops.
The raising and movement OF provisions OF
all kinds were interrupted. The fields were
laid waste, dwellings unroofed and fired, mills
destroyed and, in short, everything that
could desolate the land ana render 1t unfit
for human habitation or support was com
marded by one or the other OF tho contend
ing parties and executed by all the powers at
their disposal.
"By the time the administration took office
wear ago, reconcentration-so called-had
been made effective over the better part OF
the four central and western provinces, Santa,
Clara, Matanzas, Havana and Pinar del Rio.
THE agricultural population, to the esti-
mated number Of 300, 900 or more, was herded
within the towns and their immediate yicinage
deprived Of the means Of support, rendered
destitute Of shelter, left poorly clad, and ex-
posed to the most unsanitary conditions. AS
the scarcity Of food increased with the de-
vastation Of the depopulated areas OF pro-
duction, destitutiou and want became mis-
cry and starvation. Month by month the
death rate increased In an alarming ratio
By March, 1897, according to conservative
estimates from official Spanish sources, the
mortality among the reconcentradoes, from
stary alton and the diseases thereto incident,
exceeded so per centum Of their total num-
ber."
From the standpoint Of experience do
not think it would be wise or prudent fol
this government to recognize at the present
time the independence OF the so-called Cuban
republic. Such recognition Is not necessary
In order to enable the United States to inter
vene and paciiy the island. To commit this
country now to the recognition of any par
ticular government in Cuba might subject us
to embarrassing conditions of international
obligation toward the organization SO recog'
nixed. In case OF Intervention our conduc'
would be subject TO the approval or disap-
provul Of such government; we would be re-
quired to submit to its direction and to aSS*Qe
to 1t the mere relation Of friendly ~
When 1t shall appear hereafter that there Is
within the island government capable OF
performing the duties and dischargiDg the
functions Of separate nation, and having as
matter Of fact, proper forms and attributes
Of nationality, such governmentocan be
promptly and readily recognized, and the
relations and interests OF the United States
with such nation adjusted. There remains
the alternative forms Of intervention to end
the.war, either as an impartial neutral by
imposing a rational compromise between the
contestants, or as the active ally Of the one
party or the other"
DESTRUCTION OF THE MAINE.
The President in abiding to the destruction
OF the Maine says:
'9The naval court Of inquiry, which 1t is
needless to say commands the unqualified
confidence Of the government, was unani'
nous In it's conclusion that the destruction OF
the Maine was caused by an exterior explosion
that Of submarine mine. 1t did not assume
to place the responsibility. That remains to
be fixed. In any event, the destruction OF
the Maine by whatever exterior cause, is a
patent and impressive proof OF state OF
thingsin Cuba that is intolerable. That
condition is thus shown to be such that the
Spanish government cannot assure eafety
and security to vessel OF the American
navy in the harbor of Havana on mission
of peace and rightfully there
He refers to this act as corroberative of
the picture he has drawn Of affairs In Cuba,
which shows the inability Of Spain to protect
q neutral vessel In the harbor OF Havana.
The President concludes his message az
follows:
In view Of these facts Of these consid-
,rations, ask the Congress to authorize and
empower the President to take measures to
secure full and final termination Of hos
ilities between the government of Spain and
md the people Of Cuba, and to secure in the
sland the establishment of stable govern
nent capable Of maintaining order and OBJ
erving ita international obligations, insuring
,eace and tranquility and the security Of its |
itizens as well as our own, and to use the
naval forces Of the United States |
g may be necessary for those purposes.
And in the interest Of humanity and to aid |
n preserving the lives Of the starving |
'eople Of the island recommend that the |
distribution Of food and supplies be continued,
nd that an appropriation be made out Of
he public treasury to supplement the charity |
{ our citizens
The issue is now with Congress. 1t Is
GLENN responsibility. l have exhausted
very effort to relieve the intolerable con-
ition OF affairs which Is at our doors. Pre-
jared to execute every obligation imposed
Ipon me by the Constitution and the law,
wait your action.