The Monmouth inquirer., 1898-04-14

MESSAGE OF last December, III was uOt CIV
Iized warfare. 1t was determination The
only peace it could beget was that of the
wilderness and the grave
Meanwhile the military situation in the
island had undergonea noticeable change.
The extraordinary activity that character
ICED the second year OF the war, when the
insurgents invaded even the hitherto un-
harmed fields of Pinar del Rio and carried
havoc and destruction up to the walls OF
the city of Havana itself, had relapsed into
a dogged struggle in the central and east
srn provinces. The Spanish arms regainec
a measure OF control in Pinar del Rio and
parts of Havana; but, under the existing
conditions of the rural country without
Immediate improvement of their produo
tive situation. Even thus partially re-
stricted the revolutionists held theiI own.
and their conquest and submission, put
forward by Spain as the essential and sole
basis of peace, seemed as far distant as at
the outset
In this state of affairs my administra-
tion found itself confronted with grave
problem of its duty. My message of last
December reviewed the situation and mar
rated the steps taken with view to re-
lieving its acuteness and opening the way
to some form of honorable settlement.
The assassination of the prime minister,
Canovas led to change of government
in Spain The former administration,
pledged to subiugation without concession,
gave place TO that of more liberal party.
committed long in advance to policy OF
reform involving the wider principle of
home rule for Cuba and Puerto Rico. The
overtures of this government, made
through its new envoy, General Woodford,
and looking to an immediate and effective
amelioration of the condition of the is
land, 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 offer
ed to Cuba, without waiting for the war
to end, and that more humane methods
should thenceforth prevail in the conduct
of hostilities. Coincidentally with these
declarations the new government of Spain
continued and completed the policy al
ready begun by its predecessor of testify
ing friendly regard for this nation by re-
leasing American citizens held under one
charge or another connected with the in
surrection, so that by the end of Noyem-
ber not a single person entitled in any
way to our national protection remained
in Spanish prison.
While these negotiations were in progress
the increasing destitution of the unfortu-
nate reconcentrados and the alarming
mortality among them claimed earnest at
tention The success which had attended
the limited measure of relief extended to
the suffering American citizens among
them by the judicious expenditure through
the consular agencies of the money appro-
priated expressly for their sucoor by the
joint resolution approved May "a, 1897,
prompted the humane extension of SINH
lar scheme of aid to the great body of suf
ferers. A suggestion TO this end was
acqniesced in by the Spanish authorities
On the Gath 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 suf
ferers in Cuba, following this on the sth Of
January by similar public announce
1nent of the formation of central Cuban
relief committee, with headquarters in
New York city, composed of three mem
bers representing the American National
Red Cross and the religious and business
elements of the community. The efforts of
that committee have been untiring and
HhNt Hpllontt 10
for free transportation to Cuba have great
ly aided the charitable work. The presi
dent of the American Red Cross and rep
resentatives of other contributory organi-
cations have generously visited Cuba and
co-operated with the consul general and
the local authorities to make effective dis
tribution of the relief collected through
the efforts Of the central committee. Near
ly $500, 600 in money and supplies has al
ready reached the sufferers, and more is
forthcoming. The supplies are admitted
duty free, and transportation to the inte-
rior has been arranged so that the relief,
at first necessarily confined to Havana and
the larger cities, is now extended through
most If not all OF the towns where the suf
fering exists. Thousands of lives have al
ready been saved The necessity for a
change In the condition of the reconcen-
trados is recognized by the Spanish gov
ernment Within few days past the or
ders of General Weyler have been revoked,
the reconcsntrados, it is said, TO be permit
ted to return to their homes and aided to
resume the self supporting pursuits of
peace, public works have been ordered to
give them employment, and sum Of
$500, 900 has been appropriated for their
relief
The war in Cuba is of such nature that
short of subjugation or determination n
final military victory for either side seems
impractcable. The alternative lies in the
physical exhaustion of the one or the 9th
er party or perhaps of both-a condition
which i'll effect ended the ten years war
by the truce of Zanjon. The prospect of
such projection and conclusion of the
present strife is contingency hardly to
be contemplated with equanimity by the
civilized world and least Of all by the Unit
ed States. affected and injured, as we are,
deeply and intimately, by its very exist
enoe.
Realizing this, it appeared to be my
duty in spirit of true 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 imme-
diate termination of the war. To this end,
l submitted on the 27th ult.. as result of
much representation and correspondence
through the United States minister at
Madrid propositions to the Spanish gov
ernment looking to an armistice until Oct.
for the negotiation of peace with the
good offices of the president.