Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-04-16

ally with THESE declarations, the new
government of Spain continued the poll
icy already begun by its predecessor OF
testifying friendly regard for this ma
ton by releasing American citizens
held under one charge or another con-
nected with the insurrection. so that
by the end of November, not single
person entitled in any way to our ma
tional protection remained in a Span
ish prison.
The Increasing Dcstitution.
While these negotiations were In
progress the increasing restitution OF
the unfortunate reconcetrados, and the
alarming mortality among them,
claimed earnest attention. The sue
cess which had attended the limited
measure OF relief extended TO the suf-
fering American citizens among them
by the judicious expenditure through
the consular agencies OF the money APP
propriated expressly for their succor
by the Joint resolution approved May
"a, 1897, prompted the humane extern
sion of similar scheme OF aid to the
great body OF sufferers. A suggestion
TO this end was aequiesced In by the
December last / caused to be issued
an appeal to the American people In
wiling contributions in money or In
kind for the succor OF the starving
sufferers In Cuba. following this on
the sth OF January by similar public
announcement OF the formation of a
central Cuban relief committee. with
headquarters In New York city. COM
posed OF three members representing
she American National REQ 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 has greatly aided the chari-
table work. The president OF the
American Red Cross. and representa-
tives OF other contributory organiza~
tions have generously visited Cuba,
and co-operated with the consul gem
eral and the local authorizes TO make
effective distribution of the relief coli
lected through the efforts Of.
Nearly 100000 in money and sup
plies has already reached the sufferers,
and more is forthcoming. The supplies
are admitted free OF duty and trans
portation to the interior has been ar
ranged so that the relief. at first nee
essarily confined to Havana and the
larger cities. is now extended through
most, II not ALL of the towns where
suffering exists. Thousands OF lives
have already been saved. The neces-
sity FOR a change in the condition Of
the reconcentrados Is recognized by
the Spanish government Within a
few days past the orders or General
Weyler have been revoked, the recon-
centrados are, IL is said, 10 be permit
ted to return to their homes and aided
to resume the self supporting pursuits
OF peace: public works have + sen or
dered TO give them employment, and
sum of $500. 900 has been appropriated
for their relief.
Military Victory Impracticable,
The war In Cuba is OF such a nature
that. short of subjugation or extermi-
nation. a final military victory for
either side seems lmpracticable. The
alternative lies in the physical exhaus-
ton of one or the other party, or per
haps OF both; a condition which in eff
feet ended the ten years war by the
truce OF Zanjon. The prospect OF such
a 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 i'm
jured as we are deeply and intimately
by it's very existence.
Realizing this. II appeared TO be my
duty. in a spirit OF true friendliness. no
less to Spain than 10 the Cubans. who
have so much to lose by the prolonga-
ton of the struggle. to seek to bring
about an immediate termination of the
war. To this end. submitted. on the
9th ult., as a result of much represent
alton and correspondence, through the
United States minister at Madrid, prop
ositions to the Spanish government
looking to an armistice until Oct. for
the negotiation OF peace, with the good
Offices OF the president.
In addition asked the immediate re-
vocation OF the order of reconcentra-
ton, so as to permit the people to re-
turn to their farms and the needy to
be relieved with provisions and sup
plies from the United States. cooper
ating with the Spanish authorities, so
as to afford full relief.
The reply of the Spanish cabinet was
received on the night OF the 3ist ult. 1t
offers as the means to bring about
peace in Cuba TO confide the prepara-
ton thereof to the insular parliament.
inasmuch as the concurrence OF that
body would be necessary to reach a
final result, II being, however. under
stood that the powers reserved by the
constitution OF the central government
are not lessened or diminished. AS the
Cuban parliament does not meet until
the 4th OF May. the Spanish govern
ment would not object, for its part, TO
accept at once a suspension OF HOSTILE
ties II asked for by the insurgents from
the general in chief. TO whom II would
pertain in such case. TO determine the
duration and conditions Of the armis-
tice.
The propositions submitted by Gen
eral 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 substan-
TALLY in the language above given. The
function of the Cuban parliament In the
matter Of preparing" peace and the