The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-04-15

The assassination Of the prime minister. CaAc-
vnss, led 70 change OF government in SPAIN
The former administration pledged TO Su 1d-
cation without concession gave place to tn u OF
n more liberal party, committed long in ad-
vance to a policy OF reform involving the wider
principle OF home rule for Cuba and Puerto
Rico. Tho overturcs of this government, made
through its new envoy, Gen. Woodtord. and
looking to an immediate and effective ameloria-
tion OF the condition OF tho island although not
accepted to the extent Of admitted mediation
in any shape, were met by assurances that
home rule in an advanced phase would be
forthwith offered to Cuba without waiting for
the war to end and that more humane methods
should thenceforth prevail In the conduct OF
hostilities Incidentally with these declara-
lions. the new government of Spain continued
and com pleted the policy already begun by It's
predecessor of tcstifying friendly regard for
this nation by releasing American citizens
held under one charge or another connected
with the insurfection, so that, by the end OF
Novcmb"r not u single person entitled in any
way to our national protection. remained in o
Spanish prison.
The Starving Cubans Fed.
While these negotiations were in progress
the increasing destitution of the unfortunate
rcconccntrados and the alarming mortality
among them claimed earnest attention. The
success which had attended the limited meas
ure OF relief extended to the suffering Ameri-
can citizens among them by the iudicious ex-
penditure through the consular agencies OF the
money appropriated expressly for their succor
by the joint resolution approved May a.
1907 prompted the humane extension of
q similar scheme Of aid to the
great body Of sufferers suggestion to
this end was acquiesced in by the Spanish au-
thoritics on the eth OF December last,
caused to be issued an appeal to the American
people, inviting contributions in money or in
kind for the succor OF the starving sufferers in
fsaa all 90 ehaA u IA Of IuV hT
a similar public announcement OF the forma
ton OF central Cuban relief committee,
with headquarters in New York city, COM
posed OF three members representing the
American national Red Cross and the religious
and business elements OF the community. The
efforts Of that committee have been untiring
and have accomplished much. Arrangements
for free transportation to Cuba have greatly
aided the charitable work The president OF
the American Red Cross and representatives
OF other contributory organizations have gem
erously visited Cuba and co-operated with the
consul general and the local authorities to
make effective distribution OF the relief collect
ed through the efforts OF the central committee.
Nearly 1900, 00J In money and supplies has al
ready reached the sufferers. and more is forth
coming. The supplies are admitted duty
free, and transportation to the interior has
been arranged, that the relief, at
first necessarily confined to Havana and
the larger cities is now extended through most,
IL not all, OF the towns where suffering exists
Thousands OF lives have already been saved.
The necessity for u change In the condition OF
the reconcentrados is recognized by the Span
ish government Within a few days past the
orders OF Gen weyler have been revoked, the
reconcentrados are, IL is said TO be permitted
TO return to their homes and aided to resume
the sef-supporting pursuits OF peace: public
works having been ordered to give them en-
ployment and n sum of 800 600 has been appro-
priated for their relief
The war In Cuba is of such q nature that
short OF subiugation or determination a final
military victory for either side seems imprac-
ticable. The alternative lies in the physical
exhaustion OF the one the other party, or
perhaps OF both--a condition which, In effect,
ended the ten years war by the truce Of Zan-
Jon. The prospect Of such protraction and
conclusion of the present strife is a contingency
hardly to be contemplated with equanimity by
the civilized world. and least Of all by the
United States. affected and injured as we are,
deeply and intimately by its very existence.
Propositions Submitted to tho spanish.
Realizing this, IL appears TO be my duty, In a
spirit OF true frendiness, no less to Spain than
10 the Cubans who have so much 10 lose by the
prolongation OF the struggle 10 seek to bring
about an immediate termination OF the war. To
| this end ! submitted. on the 27th ultimo as a
result OF much representation and correspond
euce, through the United States minister at
ment, looking 70 an armistice until October !,
| for the negotiation OF peace with the good Of
| fees OF the president In addition. / asked the
immediate revocation Of the order OF reconcen-
| tratlon, so as to permit the people 10 return to
| their farms and the needy to be relieved with
| provisions and supplies from the United States,
cooperating with the Spanish authorities 50
as to afford fun relief
| The reply Of the Spanish cabinet was re-
| celved on the night OF the 3ist ultimo. IL Of
| ferS, US the means to bring about peace In
| Cuba, To Contde the preparation thereof to the
| insular department, inaSmuch as the concur
renee OF that body would be necessary to reach
| "a final result II being however understood
| that the powers reserved by the constitution TO
| the central government are not lessened or d.
| minisned As the Cuban parliament does not
| meet until the 4th Of May next, the Spanish
| government would not object. for its part, to
| accept at once "A suspension Of hOstilitles, II
| asked for by the insurgents from the general
| in-chef to whom IL would pertain. In such
ease, to determine the duration and conditions
| Of the armistice
The propositions submitted by Gen. Wood
| ford and the reply Of the Spanish government
| were both in the form OF brief memoranda.
the texts OF which are before me, and are sub
stantially in the language above given The
function OF the Cuban parliament In the matter
| OF preparing" peace and the manner OF doing
so are not expressed In the Spanish memo
! rhnuums Dul from zen. NOOufOruS eAplanh-
| tory reports OF preliminary discussions preced-
| ing the tna conference 1t Is understood that
the Spanish government stands ready TO give
the insular congress full powers to settle the
terms OF peace with the insurgents whether
| by direct negotiation or indirectly by means OF
| legislation does not appear. With this last
| overtures in the direction Of immediate peace
and It's disappointing reception by Spain, the
executive was brought to the end Of his effort.
| What Was said In the Last Message.
| In my annual message Of December last
said: 'Of the untried measures there remain:
Recognition Of the insurgents as bellgerents;
recognition OF the independence OF Cuba;
neutral intervention 10 end the war by
| imposing rational compromise between
| the contestants and Intervention In favor
OF one or the other party" / speak NOT
OF forcible annexation, for that cannot be
| thought OF. That, by our code OF morality
would be criminal aggression Therefore, re-
viewed these alternatives, In the light OF Presi-
dent Grants measured words, uttered In 1870
| when, after seven years Of sanguinary destruc-
| tive and cruel barbarities in Cuba he reached
| the conclusion tnaJ tue recUgurv,ou ~ slio al
dependence OF Cuba was imprscticable and in