The true northerner., 1898-12-07
SPAIN AND CUBA.
Resume of the Conditions Which
Led Jp TO the War.

In my last annual message very fun con-
sideration was given to the question OF
the duty of the government or the Ohlteu
States toward Spain and the cuban IN
surrection as being by far the most I'M
portant problem with which we were lheh
called upon TO deal. The considerations
then advanced and the exposition OF the
views therein expressed, disclosed my
sense of the extreme gravity or the STU
alton Setting aside as loglcaiy IN
founded or practically inadmisslDle, the
recognition of the independence OF OuDa'
neutIal intervention to end the war by I'M
posing a rational compromise between tne
contestants, Intervention IN laNor ol P VLe
or the other party, and forcible annexation
of the island, | concluded u was honestly
due to our friends relations with SPAN
that she should be given reasonaDle
chance to rGdlize her expectations Oh re-
form to Which she had become irrevocably
committed. Within few weeks previous
ly she aad announced comprehensive plans,
which IL was confidently asserted would
be efiicacious 10 remedy the evils 50 deep
Is affecting our own country, 50 injurious
to the true interests of the mother country
as well as TO those OF cuba, ana so repug-
nant 10 the universal sentiment OF hu-
manity. -
real progress toward the pacihcation OF
Cuba The autonomous administration set
up in the capital and some OF the prln-
cipal cities appeared not TO gain the favor
of the inhabitants nor to be able 10 extend
their influence to the large extent OF ter
ritory held by the insurgents while the
military arm, obviously unable TO cope
with the still active rebellion, continued
many of the most Objectionable and often-
sive policies of the government that had
preceded it, No tangible relief was af-
forded the vast numbers of unhappy re-
concentrates despite the reiterated pro-
fessions made in that regard and the
amount appropriated by Spain TO that
end. The proffered eXpcdent of zones of
cultivation proved illuSory; indeed, no less
practical nor more delusive promises of
could been rendered
exhausted and destitute people, stripped of
all that made life and home dear and
herded in a strange region among unsym-
pathetic strangers hardly less necessitous
than themselves.
BY the end of December the mortality
among them had frightfully increased.
Conservative estimates from Spanish
sources placed the deaths among these dis
tressed people at over 40 per cent from the
time Gen. Weyler's decree OF reconcentra-
tion was enforced With the acquiescence
of the Spanish authorities scheme was
adopted for relief by charitable contribu-
tions raised In this country and distrib-
uted under the direction OF the consul-gen-
eral ana several consus by noble and ear
nest individual effort through the organ
lied agencies OF the American Red Cross
Thousands of lives were thus saved, but
many thousands more were inaccessible to
such forms of aid.
without comprehensive plan, developing
only the same spasmodic encounters, bar
rem of strategic result, that had marked the
course of the earlier ten years rebellion as
we'll as the present insurrection from II:
start. No alternative save physical ex
haustion of either combatant and there
withal the practical ruin OF the island lal
in sight, but how far distant no one coulC
venture to conjecture.
Destruction of the Maine.
At this juneture, on the 18th of Febru
ary last occurred the destruction OF tn,
battleship Maine. while rightfully lying il
the harbor OF Havana on mission of in
ternational courtesy and good wills
catastrophe the suspicious nature and hor
ror OF which stirred the nations heart pro
foundly Ii is a striking evidence of th
poise and sturdy good sense Distinguishing
our national character that this shocking
blow, falling upon generous people, al
ready deeply touched by preceding event
dn Cuba, did not move them 20 an instant
desperate resolve TO tolerate no longer tn
existence of a condition Of danger and dis
order at our doors that made possible sucl
a deed by whomsoever wrought. Yet tn
instinct of justice prevailed and the natiol
anxiously awaited the result of the search
ing investigation at once set on foot. TIL
finding OF the naval board OF inquiry estab
lished that the origin Of the explosion wa
external by a submarine mine, and onl
halted through lack Of positive testimon
TO fix the responsibility of its authorship.
Action of Congress.
All these things carried conviction to tn
most thoughtful. even before the findin
OF the naval court, that crisis in our re
1ations with Spain toward Cuba was a
hand. So strong was .,l.sIie this belief that
tion to the congress TO receive imms
diate answer to the duty OF making instan
provision for the possible and perhap
speedily probable emergency OF war, and IN
remarkable, almost unique, spectacle wa
presented OF a unanimous vote OF bot
houses on the 9Th OF March, appropriatin
s5O, 900 "for the national defenses and fo
each and every purpose connected there
with, 10 be expended at the discretion {
the president" That this act OF provisio
came none too soon was disclosed when IN
Indication OF the fund was undertaken
Jur forts were practically undefended. ot