Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1898-04-15

eroneo 10 Armistice.
Washington. April 1.-THE presi-
pent today sent the following message
TO the congress of the United States.
Obedient TO that precept of the con
stitution, IL becomes my duty now to
address your body with regard TO the
grave conditions that have arisen in
the relations OF the United States and
Spain, by reason of the warfare that
for more than three years has ragged
In the neighboring islands of Cuba.
In April, 1896, the evils from which
our country suffered through the Gu
ban war became so onerous that my
| predecessor made an effort 10 bring
about peace through the mediation
OF this government in any way that
might tend to an honorable ad lust
ment OF the contest between Spain and
her revolving colony. 1t failed,
through the refusal of the Spanish
government TO consider any form of
mediation, or any plan of settlement
which did not begin with the actual
submission Of the insurgents, and then
only on such terms as Spain herself
might see fit TO grant. The war con-
tinued undated. The resistance of
the insurgents was in no wise dimin-
ished.
INHUMAN WARFARE.
The efforts of Spain were increased.
both by the dispatch of fresh levies to
Cuba and by the addition to the horrors
OF the strife. The new aud inhuman
phase, happily unprecedented in the
modern history of civilized Christian
people, the policy of devastation and
concentration, inaugurated by the cap
tain-generals bando of October 81,
1896, In the province of Pinar del Rio,
was thence extended to embrace all of
the island to which the power of the
Spanish arms was able to reach. The
including all dwellings in
the open agricultural interior, were
driven into the garrison towns of iso-
lated places held by the troops. The ,
raising of provisions of all kinds was
nterdicted Fields were laid waste, :
dwellings, unroofed and fired, mills !,
destroyed, and in short, everything
hat could desolate the land and rem ,
Ter II unfit for human habitation or !,
support was commanded by one or the ;.
'ther Of the contending parties and :,
xecuteG by all the powers at their !,
isposal.
The agricultural population, to the !,
number of 800, 600 or more, :,
'as herded within the towns and their
vicinity, deprived of the !,
leans of support, rendered destitute =,
shelter, left poorly clad and exposed
the most unsatisfactory conditions. u,
STARVATION AND DIFFERENTIATION.
Month by month the death rate in -
eased to an alarming rptiO. By N
arch, 1897, according 20 estimates.
ON Spanish sorices, the mortality -
nong the reconcentrados from star
ition and disease exceeded so per
ntum of the total number. No prac- ~.
sal relief was accorded to the desti-
te. The overbardened towns. nj -
ady suffering from the general a.
arth conld give no aid.
The war in Cuba is of such nature -.
At short of subjugation or extermin- -.
m, final military victory for 49,,
her side seems impracticable. The -.
ernative lies in the physical OK
ustion OF the one or the other party
perhaps both, condition which in ~.
ect ended the ten years war by the -
ice of Fan Jon. The prospect of -
h protraction and conclusion of 80
present strife is contingency -
rdly 10 be contemplated with the "a.
ianimity of the civilized world. and :.
81 OF all by the United States, af-
ted and injured as we are, deeply ~.
intimately by It's very existence. -.
n my annual message of December 80.
I, said:
OF the untried measures there re-
Interrogation OF the insurgents as
iigcrents; recognition of the indie I
idence OF Cuba, aud intervention to Uni
the war by imposing rational war
npromise between the contestants mar
Intervention in favor Of one or the pre-,
err party hav