Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-04-14
orable settlement. The resignation of

.,
change OF government in Spain. The
former administration, pledged TO sub
lugation without concession, gave place
to that of q more liberal party, com
mitted long in advance to policy of
reform involving the wider principle OF
homo rule for Cuba and Porto Rico
The overtures Of this government, made
through its new anyoy, Gen. Woodford
and looking 10 an immediate and effect
ive amelioration of the condition of tho
island, although mot accepted TO the ex.
tent 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 methnds Hhnuld thence
forth prevail in the conduct OF hostii-
lies. Colncident with these declara-
tions, the new government Of Spain had
completed the policy already begun by
it.
Spain completed tho policy already
begun by its predecessor of testifying
friendly regard for this nation by re-
leasing American citizens held under
one charge or another connected with
tho insurrection, SO that by the end Of
November, not single person entitled
IN any way TO our national protection,
remained in Spanish prison,
AID FOR THE sUFFERERs.
While these negotiations were in prog.
ress, the increasing destitution OF tho
unfortunate reconGentradoa and the
alarming mortality among them claimed
earnest attention. Tho success which
haA NJ I-I n
relief extended to the suffering AmeFi-
can citizens among them, by the judi
cioua expenditure through the consular
agencies of the money appropriated sx-
pressly for their suuc0r by the Joint
resolution approved May Gath, 1897,
prOmnted the humane extension of
similar scheme of aid to the great body
of sufferers. A suggestion to this end
was acquiescei in by the Spanish
authorities. On the oath of December
last, | caused to he issued an appeal TO
the American people. inviting contribu-
tions in money or IN kind for the succor
of the starving sufferers In Cuba, fol-
lowing this on the Sth OF January by
similar public announcement of the
formation of contribution relief com
mittes. with headquarters in New York
City, composed OF three members rep
ressnting the 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 presi-
dent of the American Red Cross and
representatives Of other contributory
organizations have generously visited
Cuba, and co-Operated with the consul
general and the local authorities to
make effective distribution of the rslief
collecteh through the efforts Of the CEN
tral committee. Nearly 5000, 600 in
money and supplies has already reached
the sufferers and more 10 Forthcoming.
The supplies are admitted duty free,
and transportation to the interior has
been arranged so that the relief, at first
necessarily confined to Havana and the
larger cities, ia now eTtenusd 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 recon-
centrBdos is recognized by the Spanish
Within a few DAYS past.
the orders of Gen. Weyler have been re.
to be permitted 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 a sum of 5000, 600 has been appro-
printed for their rleief.
The war in Cuba Is Of such nature
that, short of Hrbjugation or extermi-
nation, final military victory for
mar i'm al
alternative lies in the physical exhaus-
tion of the one or the other party or
perhaps both--a condition which in |
effect ended the ton years' war by the |
truce OF Zanion. The prospect of such |
a prUtraction and conclusion nf the |
present strife is contingency hardly to |
DO contemplated with equauimity 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 FOR AN ARMlsTIcE.
Roalizing, ms appeared to be my duty
IN spirit of true friendliness no less
o Spain than TO the Cubans who have
also much to lose by the prolongation
II the struggle, to seek to bring about
IN immediate termination of the war,
20 this end, l submitted ON the 27th
Ito, as IA result of much representa-
ion and correspondence through the
United Staten Minister at Madrid,
Propositions to the Spanish government
ooklng to an armistice until October
st, for the negotiation Of peace with
;he good Offices of the President,
IN addition, | asked the immediate
evocation OF the order of recuncen-
ration, so as to permit the people to
eturn to their farms and ths needy to
70 relieved with provisions aud supplies
rom the United States, cooperating
With thu Spanish authorities so as to
Ifford full reliof.
The reply of the Spanish cabinet was
ecelved on the night of the }lst ulto.
t ulfors as tho means to bring about
,eace IN Cuba, to coniine the prepara.
ion thereof to the lnsular Parliament,
nasmuch as tho concurrence OF that
lody would lbs necessary to reach a
inal result, it being, however, under
tuod that the powers rsserved by the
constitution to the central government
re not lessened or diminished. AS
he Cuban Parliament does not meet
Until the 4th OF May next. the Spanish
overnment would not object, for its
art, to accept at once IA suspension of
ostilities. il asked for by the insur-
ents from the general in chief, to
7hom it would pertain in such case,
0 determine tho duration and con-
itions of the armistice.
The propositions submitted by Gen.
Voodford and the reply Of tine Spanish
overnment were both in the form of
rief memoranda, the texts of which [
re- before me-Rnd are substantially in
be language above given. The function :