Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-03-12

to the entire island OF Cuba an adminis-
tration of peace. 1t will surely make
an end to the operations of the insur-
gents by depriving them of any ground
for their plea of unjust treatment. 1t is
rapidly and surely gaining ground
throughout the island. not merely in
Havana. but in the hitherto disaffected
provinces as well.
at cannot be denied that the coming
elections may bring complications. The
extremists on both sides, who hate each
other more than they hate autonomy.
Will yet unite for the purpose of de-
feating us at the polls. We know, how
ever. that they are not strong enough
to overthrow us. Autonomy IL now too
firmly established and too heartily ap-
proved by the mass Of the people to be
overthrow even by the coalition of all
opposing factions. This we know GER
tainly. though of course 1t is impossible
to tell until after election what the real
strength of the opposition may be.
"one great difficulty we have had"
said the secretary. speaking with great
bitterness. land the most serious him
drance in our way in trying to get the
people of the United States To under
stand our position, has come from the
character of the newspaper reports sent
from here by nearly ali the New York
correspondents. do not say that they
have been willful or malicious, but their
reports have been badly distorted. Some
have striven for sensationallsm: some
have sought to influence public opinion
In their own country. 1t is fair to as
sumo that some have been honest In
their desire to tell the truth, and that
they have been unable to discriminate
between reliable and unreliable sources
of news. but the fact remains that their
letters are mostly untruthful.
"Our attitude should not be misun-
derstood. II is not one OF hostility to
Cuba or the Cubans. The most earnest
efforts OF the colonial government, OF
the crown and of the armed force are
being exerted toward the restoration OF
peace. Our warfare with the insur-
gents is not offensive. but in the truest
sense Is defensive OF the liberties of the
people. We have no sentiment of re-
venge. Our first aim is TO restore peace
and order to all Cuba, 1t Is totally false
to say that there are dissensions among
tho members of the Autonomist council
That story has been circulated with the
sole idea OF discrediting us. The truth
Is that there is perfect harmony among
us and that we are thoroughly united
on all questions of policy and action.
The most serious problem that con.
fronts us Is presented by the lamenta-
BILE condition of the reconcentrados. The
government has Initiated several inn
portant measures looking to their relief
and 1t may be positively said that we
shall not rest for a moment while the
suffering continues. Moreover we thor
oughly appreciate the broad humanita-
rianism which has excited the sympa-
thy of the American people on their he
half, 1t Is difficult, however, to say
much about this without appearing
either heartless on the one hand or
senselessly partisan on the other.
Our greatest need Is that the Amer
lean people should cease to afford aid
to the insurgents in keeping up a strug-
Gle which has entirely changed in char
acter since the Autonomlst government
has been established. For the one thing
to remember above all is that they are
no longer lighting against Spanish rule,
but against their own government. OF
which they may become n part when
ever they choose TO acqulesce In it, The
war is no longer one for freedom. for
Spain has already given them freedom
equal to that Of the Canadian people"