The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-12
Presidents Message


ted expressly for their succor by the
joint resolution approved May "a, 1897,
prompted the humane extension of a
similar scheme of aid to the great
body of sufferers. A suggestion to this
end was acquiesced in by the Spanish au-
thorities. On the 9th of December last,
| caused TO be issued an appeal 10 the
American people, inviting contributions
in money or in kind for the succor OF
the starving sufferers in Cuba. following
this on the 9Th of January by similar
pubic announcement of the formation
of Il 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 commit
tee have been untiring and have accom-
pliShed much. Arrangements for Tree
transportation to Cuba have greatly
aided the charitable work. The Presl-
dent of the American Red Cross, and
representatives of other c0ntributory or
CARNATIONS have generously visited Cuba
and cO-Operated with the Consul Gene
raj and the local authorities to make
effective distribution of the relief col
lected through the efforts of the Cen
tral COMMITTEE. Nearly H%oUUOU III
money and supplies has already reached
the. sufferers and more is forthcoming.
The supplies are admitted duty free,
and transportation to the interior has
been arranged so that the relief Ut first
necessarily confined TO Havana and the
larger cities IS now extended through
most. if not all, of the towns where suf-
fering exists Thousands of lives have
already been saved. The necessity for
a change in the condition of the re-
concentrates IS recognized by the Span
ish government. Within n few days
past. the orders of General Weyler have
been revoked: the recOncentrados are
it is said. to be permitted to return to
their homes, and aided to resume the
selfsupporting pursuits of peace: public
works have been ordered to give them
employment. and.a sum of 5000. 900 has
been appropriated for their relief
WAR OF DIFFERENTIATION
The war in Cuba is of such nature
that short of subjugation or extermina-
ton. a final military victory for either
side seems impracticable. The altcrna-
tive lies in the physical exhaustion of
the one or the other party, or perhaps
Of both--a condition which in effect end
Ianion. The prospect of such a protrac-
lion and conclusion of the present strife
is a contingency hardly to be contemplate
ed 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 existence.
Realizing this, it appeared to be my
duty. in spirit of truce friendliness, no
less to Spain than to the Cubans who
have so much to lose by the prolongation
of the struggle, to seek to bring about
an immediate termination of the war. |
To this end | submitted. on the 9th
ultimo, as n result of much representa-
ton and correspondence through the
United States Minister at Madrid propo-
sitions TO the Spanish government look
ing to an armistice until October 1st
for the negotiation of peace with the
good offices of the President
In addition | asked the immediate re- |
vocation of the order of recommendation.
so as to permit the people to return to
their farms and the needy to be relieved |
with provisions and supplies from the
United States, cooperating with the |
Spanish authorities so as TO afford full
relief
The reply of the Spanish Cabinet was
received on the night of the 21st ultimo. |
1t offers. as the means TO bring about
peace in Cuba, to confide the preparation |
thereof to the insuar parliament mas |
much as the concurrence of that body |
would be necessary to reach a final re-
suit, it being, however, understood that |
the powers reserved by the Constitu- |
tion to the central government are not
lessened or diminished. AS the Cuban
parliament does not meet until the fourth !
of May next, the Spanish government |
would not object, for its part, to accept |
at once a suspension of hostilities if |
asked for by the insurgents from the
General in Chief, to whom it would per-
tain. in such ease, to determine the dura- |
ton and conditions of the armistice,
The propositions submitted by General |
Woodford and the reply Of the Spanish |
government were both in the form of |
brief memoranda, the texts of which are |
before me-and are substantially in the |
language above given. The function |
of the Cuban parliament in the matter of |
preparing" peace and the manner of its |
doing so are expressed in the Spanish |
memorandum; but from General Wood |
ford's explanatory reports of preIimina- |
ry discussions preceding the final CON
ference, it Is understood that the Spanish |
government stands ready to give the in |
sular Congress full powers to settle the |
terms of peace with the insurgents
whether by direct negotiations or direct
ly by mcars of legislation does not ap- |
pear.
With this last overture in fhe direc- |
ton of immediate peace, and it's disap-
pointing reception by Spain, the Execu- |
thive was brought to the end of his ef-
fort.
HIS LAST MESSAGE QUOTED.
In my annual message of December
last | said
"0f the un.ried measures there re-
main only: Recognition of the insur-
gents as bellgerents: recognition of thel
independence of Cuba: neutral interyen-
ton to end the war by imposing a "a
tional compromise between the contest
ants, and intervention in favor of onel
or the other party. | speak not Of forci-
Die annexation, for that cannot be
thought Of That, by our code Of mar
ailty, would be criminal aggression"
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