The Owosso times., 1898-12-09
SPAIN AND CUBA.
a Resume of the Conditions which
Led Up to the War.


Led Up to the War.
In my last annual message very full con-
sideration 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 i'm
portant problem with which we were then
. called upon to deal. The considerations
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 inadmissible, the
recognition of the independence OF Cuba,
neutral Intervention TO end the war by inn
posing a rational compromise between the
contestants. Intervention In favor OF on. one
or the other party, and forcible annexation
Of the island, ] concluded 1t was honestly
due to our friendly relations with Spain
that she should be given reasonable
chance to realize her expectations of re-
form TO which she had become irrevocably
committed. Within a few weeks previous
which it was confidently asserted would
be efilcaciouS to remedy the evils so deep
" affecting our own country, SO Injurious
as well as to those of Cuba, and so repug-
nant to the universal sentiment of hu-
manity.
The ensuing month brought little sign OF
real progress toward the pacification of
Cuba The autonomous administration set
eipal cities appeared not to gain the favor
Of the inhabitants nor to be able to extend
their influence to the large extent of ter
rtory held by the insurgents while the
military arm, obviously unable to cope
with the still active rebellion, continued
many of the most Objectionable and often
sive policies of the government that had
preceded 1t. No tangible relief was af-
forded the vast numbers of unhappy re-
fessions made in that regard and the
amount appropriated by Spain to that
end The proffered expedient of zones Of
cultivation proved illusory; indeed, no less
practical nor more delusive promises of
succor could well have been rendered to the
ali that made life and home dear and
herded in a strange region among unsym-
pathetic strangers hardly less necessitous
BY the end of December the mortality
among them had frightfully increased.
Conservative estimates from Spanish
sources placed the deaths among, these dis
tressed people at over 40 per cent. from the
time Gen. Weyler's decree OF reconcentra-
tion was enforced. With the acquiescence
Of the Spanish authorities a scheme was
adopted for relief by charitable contribu-
tions raised in this country and distrib-
uted under the direction of the consul-gen-
eral and several consuls by noble and ear
nest individual effort through the organ
ICED agencies OF the American Red Cross.
many thousands more were inaccessible to
such forms of aid.
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 insurreetion from its
start. No alternative save physical ex-
haustion OF either combatant and there
withal the practical ruin of the island lay
in sight, but how far distant no one could
venture to conjecture.
Destruction of the Maine.
At this juncture. on the 18th of Febru-
ary last, occurred the destruction of the
battleship Maine, while rightfully lying in
the harbor of Havana on a mission of in
ternational courtesy and good villa
catastrophe the suspicious nature and hor-
ror of which stirred the nations heart pro-
foundly 1t is a striking evidence OF the
poise and sturdy good sense distinguishing
our national character that this shocking
blow falling upon a generous people, al
ready deeply touched by preceding events
In Cuba, did not move them to an instant,
desperate resolve to tolerate no longer the
existence of a condition of danger and dis
order at our doors that made possible such
n deed by whomsoever wrought. Yet the
Instinct OF Justice prevailed pre- and tn the nation &
ing Investigation at once set on foot. The
finding of the naval board of inquiry estab-
iished that the or,gin & or the M explosion WA, was
halted through lack of positive testimony
20 AZ the responsibility Of its authorship.
Action of Congress.
All these things carried conviction to the
most thoughtfui, even before the finding
AZ the naval court, that crisis In our re-
istions with Spain toward Cuba was at
So trSs. s.rsf yss thssasys sas Sssf sAsse sAst !.
tscn to the congress to receive imme-
Ssete answer to the duty OF making instant
nrovision for the possible and perhaps
speediiy probable emergency OF wal, and the
Iennnted OF unanimous vote OF botf
Rcnses OF, the 9Th OF March. appropriating
SJ s50 ooo 600 "for the national defenses and for
sov,xg and every purpose connected there
s1rtth. 10 be expended at the discretion OF
the That this act 81 prSysiSSn lon
csn,soation OF the fund was undertaken
ipnr Sorts were practically undefended. Our