The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-16

gained . measure OF control In Pinar del
Rio and parts OF Bayana, but. under the
existing conditions Of the rural country.
productive situation. Even thus par.
tally restricted the reyolutlonlsts held
their own. and their submission, put
basic OF peace. seemed as far distant as
at the outset.
steps Taken for Relief.
In this state OF affairs my administration
found itself confronted with the grave
problem OF Us duty MY message o. last a
tailed the steps taken with view OF re-
lieving its acuteness and opening the way
20 some form OF honorable settlement. The
assassination OF the prime minister,
Spain. The former administration pledged
70 subJugation. without congestion gave
mitted long I'm advance TO a policy OF re-
form, INVOLVING the wider principle OF
home rule for Cuba and Puerto Rico. The
overtures OF this government, made
through its new envoy. Gen. Woodford.
and looking 10 an immediate and effective
land, although not accepted to the extent
OF admitted mediation I'm any shape. were
met by assurances that home rule, IN an
fered 10 Cuba, without waiting for the
wsr 70 end. and that more humane meth
Sa should IN The SSss
declarations the new government OF Spain
continued and completed the policy already
friendly regard for this nation by releasing
American citizens held under one charge
or another connected with the insurrection.
single person entitled I'm any way 20 our
national protection remained In Spanish
An Appeal for Help.
While these negotiations were IN prog
ress. the increasing restitution or the pn-
fortunate reconcentrados ana ne alarming
tention The success which had attended
the limited measure or relief extended 20
The suffering american SitEens bamonS
the consular agencies or the money APP
propriated expressly for their succor by
prompted the humane extension OF sim
liar scheme OF aid 70 the great body OF
sufferers A suggestion TO this end was
acquiesced In by the Spanish authorities.
on the oath OF December last ! caused TO
be issued an appeal 20 the American peo-
pie inviting contributors 10 money or IN
kind for the succor OF the starving suffer
ers In Cuba, following this on the Sth or
January by similar public announcement
OF the formation or central Cuban relief
committee. with headquarters In New
York city, composed or three members rep
resenting the American National Red Cross
and the religious and business clements or
the community. The efforts OF that COM
mittee have been untiring and accom-
plished much Arrangements for free trans
charitable work. The president OF the
American Red Cross and representatives
OF other contributory organizations have
with the consul general and the local au-
thorities 20 make effective distribution OF
the relief collected through the efforts OF
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, at first neces-
sarily confined 10 Havana and the larger
cities, is now extended through most. IL not
all. OF the towns whore suffering exists
Thousands OF lives have already been
sonSItlon y, ~ dor oRahge w tne
nized by the Spanish government Within
few days past the orders Of General Wey-
Ter have been revoked, tho rcconcentra-
dos are Il Is said. TO be permitted 10 ro-
turn 20 their homes and aided 10 resume
the self-snpporting pursuits OF peace: pub
employment and n sum OF 5000, 900 has been
appropriated for their relief
Can See No End.
The war I'm cuba is or such Il nature that
short OF subtugation or determination a
final military victory for either side seems
impracticahle. The alternative lies IN the
physical exhaustion OF the one or the other
party. or perhaps OF hoth-a condition
which In effect ended the ten years war
by the truce OF Zenjon. The prospect OF
such a protraction and conclusion Of the
present strife Is contingency hardly 10
be contemplated with equanimity by the
nad sSes aeeed e ana n n pg a. me
are. deeply and intimately. by its very ex-
Asked for an Armistice.
Realizing this. Il appeared 10 be my duty,
In a spirit OF true friendincss, no less to
Spain than 10 the Cubans who have 50
much TO lose by the prolongatlon OF the
struggle, to seek to bring about an immc-
date termination OF the war. To this end,
| submitted. on the 9th ultimo. as re-
suit OF much representation and CORE
lister at Madrid. propositions 20 the Span
issh government looking 70 an armistice un-
with the good offices OF the president
In addition asked the immediate reyoca-
ton OF the order or Recommendation, 50 as
farms and the needy to be relieved with
provisions and supplies. from the United
States. cooperating. with the Spanish au-
thorities so as 10 afford full relief.
The Reply of spain.
The reply OF the Spanish cabinet was
received on tho night OF the 3lst ult. IL
Offers, as the means TO bring about peace
In cuba. 20 confide the preparation thereof
TO the lnsular department, inasmuCh AS the
concurrence OF that body would be ncces-
ever, understood that the powers reserved
the 4th Of May next the Spanish govern
the cuban parliament does not meet until
the 4th OF May next, the Spanish govern
ment would not object, for its part, 20 sc-
cept az once q suspension Of hostilitles, II
asked for by the insurgents from the gen
oral In chief. TO whom Il would pertain, IN
such case, 10 determine the duration and
The propositions submitted by Gen.
Woodford and the reply OF the Spanish
were both In the form or brief
memoranda, the texts or which are be-
fore me-and are substantially In the Ian
guage above given. The function OF the
Cuban parliament In the matter OF pre-
pairing peace and the manner OF it's do
ing 40 are not expressed I'm the spanish
memorandum. but from Gen. Woodford's
explanatory reports OF preliminary discus
slOns preceding the final conference II Is
that the Spanish government
stands ready TO give the insular congress
fun powers TO settle the terms or peace
with the insurgents, whether by direct me-
gotiations or Indirectly by means OF legis-
laton. does not appear
End OF Diplomacy.
with this last overture IN the direction OF
Immediate peace and its disappointing re-
ception by Spain. the executive was brought
TO the end OF his effort.
In my ANIMAL message OF December last
/ said.
"Of the untried measures there remain:
Recognition Of the insurgents as bcliger-
ents, recognition or the independence or
Cuba, neutral Intervention TO end the
war by imposing n rational Compromise
between the contestants and the interview
ton In favor OF one or the other marty. I
speak not OF sOrcible annexation, for that
oanno, be thought or. That, by our code
or morality, would be criminal aggression"