The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-04-22

1ugatioa without concession gave place 70
mat IN Of OF more liberal party. committed long
the wider principle of home rule for Cuba,
and rs Puerto Rico The over;ures o, this gov
eminent, made through its envoy Cen
Moodford, and looking to an immediate and
effective amelioration of the condition OF the
island, although not accepted to the extent
OF admitted mediation in any shape, were met
0: assurances that nome rule, in an advanced
phase would be forthwith offered to Cuba,
without waiting for the war TO end, and that
more humane methods should hencetorth pre-
vail in the conduct of hostili.es. Incidentally
with these declarations, the nav government
OF Spain continued and completed the policy
already begun by it's predecessor OF test;fyinc
friendly regard for this nation by releasing
American citizens held under one charge or
another connected with the instruction SO
person entitled in any way to our national
projection remained in a Spanish prison.
,bs sh.le ,hsse negotiations were in prosress
reconcentradoes and the alarming mortality
among them claimed earnest attention. The
success which had attended the limited meas
can citizens among them by the jud!cious eX-
penditure through the consular agencies OF
sne money appropriated expressly for their
succor by the joint resolution approved May
:. 1897, prompted the humane extension OF a
similar scheme OF aid to the great body OF
sufferers. suggestion was made of
Suspension of HOstiIitieS,
II asked for by the insurgents from the gen
era! IN chief. to whom 1t would pertain. in
such case to determine the duration and con-
diti i. Of the armis,ice The propositions sub
mitted by Gen. Woodford and the reply Of
the Spanish government were both in the form
of brief memoranda. the text Of which are
above given.
The function OF the Cuban parliament in
the matter Of preparing" peace with the
ner Of its doing so are not expressed in the
Spanish memorandum; but from Gen. Wood
ford's explanatory reports Of preliminary dis
cussions preceding the final conference it is
understood that the Spanish government stands
ready to give the insular congress full powers
10 settle the terms Of peace with the insur-
gents. whether to this end was acquiesced in
by the Spanish authorities On the Gath OF
December last, I caused to be issued ap-
peal to the American people. inviting con-
trbutions in money or in kind for the succcr
this On the Sth of January by similar pub
lie announcement Of the formation of a CEN
trial Cuban relief committee, with headquarters
in New York city, composed Of three members
representing the American National Red
Cross, and the religious and business elements
of the community. The efforts Of that COM
mttee have been untiring, and accomplished
much. Arrangements for free transportation
to Cuba have greatly aided the charitable
work The president Of the American Red
Cross and the representatives of other con-
tributory organizations have generously visit
ed Cuba and co-operated with the consul gen.
eral and the local authorities to make et-
through the efforts of the central committee.
Nearly 100000 in money and supplies has al
ready reached the sufferers, ana more is forth
coming. 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, is
now extending through most il not all Of the
towns where suffering exists. Thousands Of
lives have already been saved.
The necessity for a change in the condition
Of the reconcentrados is recognized by the
Spanish government. Within a few days past,
the orders Of Gen. Weyler have been revoked.
the reconcen:raios are. it is said to be per-
mitted to return to their homes and aided
to resume the self supporting pursuits Of
peace: public works have been ordered to
has been appropriated for their relief. The
war in Cuba is Of such nature that short
OF subjugation or determination a final mil
tar! victory for either side seems Impractical
BILE. The alternative lies in the physical ex-
haustion of the the other party per-
faps Of both. condition which in effect ended
the ten years war by the truce OF Zanjohn.
The prospect Of such protraction and con-
clusion OF the present strife is contingency
hardly TO be contemplated with equanimity
b" the civilized world and least q all by the
United States. affected and injured as We
are. deeply and intimately by its very exist
ence. Realizing this i: appears to be my duty
Spain than TO tie Cubans who have SO much
to lose by the p-olongaton of the struggle. to
seek TO bring about an immediate termination
Armistice Proposed.
To this end submitted on the 9th ultmo.
a result Of much representation and corre-
srondence. throught the United States minister
at Madrid. propositions to the Spanish govern
ment looking to armistice until Oct. J,
for the PRONUNCIATION OF peace. In addition.
asked the immediate revocation OF the order
Of RECOMMENDATION, SO as to permit the PEOPLE
to return to their farms and the needy to be
relieve with provisions and supplies from the
United States. operating with the Spanish
authorities SO as to afford full relief. The
reply Of the Spanish cabinet received
the night Of the 31st uitimo 1t offers the
r'cans to bring about peace in Cuba to confide
$hA 70 $ho frCNf aaNf-
n ent, inasmueh as the concurrence OF that
body would be necessary to reach a fEal result.
1t being. however. understood that the powers
reserved ty the constitution to the central gov
errment are not lessened or diminished. AS TIN.
Cuban parliament does not meet until tho
fourth Of May next. the Spanish government
would not object for its rf.rt to acce:t at
cree a suspension Of hostilities II asked by
the insurgents from the general-in-chief. to
whom it would pertain in such case to deter
mine the duration and conditions of the armis-
tice The propositions submitted by Gen. Wood
ford and the reply Of the Spanish government
were beth in the form Of brief memor ora
substantially in tire language above given. The
function Of the Cuban parliament in the mat
its doing so are not pexnressed in the sr,an,sh
memorandum; but from Cen Woodford's ex-
planatory reports Of preliminary discussions
preceding the final conference 1t is understood
that the Spanish government stands ready to
give the insular congress full powers to settle
the terms OF peace with the insurgents, wheth-
or by d1rect negotiation or lnuiFectly ny means
Of legislation does net aapear.
With this last overture In the direction OF
immediate peace and its disappointing recep-
ton by Spain the executive was brought to
the end of his effort.
In my annual message OF December last I
said: 'of the untriest measures there re-
main: Recognition Of the insurgents as bel
Ngerants recognition of the independence OF
Cuba: neutral intervention to end the war.
by imposing rational compromise between
the contestants and intervention in favor Of
one or the other party. speak not OF forcible
annexation, for that cannot be thought of.
That. bv our code of morality,
Would BE Criminal Aggressfon.
Thereupon reviewed these alternatives in
uttered in 1875, When. after seven years. of
sanauinary. destructive and cruel barbarities
In Cuba. he reached the conclusior that the
lnpract;cabIs and indefensibls. and that the