Holbrook argus., 1901-12-07
a Policy
Most Cr1gl.

AOSN l. Nh -
The offer made by my predecessor in
April, 1896, rendering the friendly Of
fees of this Government failed, and
mediation on our part was not accept
ed. In brief, the answer read: There
is no effectual way to pacify Cuba un-
less it begins with the actual submis--
sion of the rebels to the mother coun-
try" Then only could Spain act in the
promised direction of her own4motion
and after her own plans. The cruel
policy of concentration was Initiated.
Feb. 16, 1896. The productive districts
controlled by the Spanish armies were
depopulated and the agricultural in
habitants were herded in and about
the garrison towns, their lands laid
waste and their dwellings destroyed.
This policy of the late Cabinet Of Spain
justified as a necessary measure of war
and as means of cutting off supplies
from the insurgents. 1t has utterly
failed as a war measure. 1t was not
civilized warfare. 1t was extermina-
ton.
Against this abuse of the rights of
war I have felt constrained on repeat
ed occasions to enter the firm and
earnest protest of this Government.
There was much of public condemna-
ton of the treatment of American
citizens by alleged illegal arrests and
long Imprisonment awaiting trial or
pending protracted judicial procedures.
felt it my first DUTY to make instant
demand for the release or speedy trial
of all American citizens under arrest.
Before the change of the Spanish Cab
met in October last, twenty-five pris-
oners, citizens of the United States.
had been given their freedom.
For the relief of our own citizens
suffering because of the conflict, the
aid of Congress was sought in spec
| ial message, and under the appropria-
! ton of April A. 1897, effective aid has
| been given to An-eii lean citizens in
Cuba, and many of them, at their own
request, have been returned to the
United States.
The instructions given to our new
Minister to Spain before his departure
| for his post directed him TO impress
upon that Government the sincere wish
| of the United States to lend it's aid to-
| ward ending the war in Cuba by reach
| ing a peaceful and lasting result, just
| and honorable alike to Spain and the
| Cuban people. These instructions re-
cited the character and duration of the
contest, the widespread losses it en-
! tails the burdens and restraint it I'M
| poses upon US, with constant disturb
| ance of national interests and the in
jury resulting from an indefinite con-
| tinuance of this state of things. 1t
was stated that at this juncture our
| Government was constrained to seri-
| ously inquire if the time were not ripe
when Spain, of her own volition,
moved by her own interests and by
sentiment of humanity, should not put
a stop to this destructive war and
| make proposals of settlement honor
able to herself and just to her Cuban
colony 1t was urged that as neigh
boring nation, with large interests in
Cuba, we could be required to wait only
4; f0,- n antl he
try to establish its authority and re-
store peace and order within the bord-
ers of the island: that we could not
contemplate an indefinite period for
the accomplishment of this result.
No solution was proposed to which
the slightest idea of humiliation to
Spain could attach, and, indeed, precise
proposals were withheld to avoid en-
barrassment to that Government. AL
that was asked or expected was thai
some safe way might be speedily pro-
vided and permanent peace restored
1t so CHANGED that the consideration oil
this offer, addressed to the same Span
ish administration which had declined
the tenders of my predecessor, ano
which for more than two yyears had
poured men and treasure into Cuba In
the fruitless effort to suppress the re-
volt. fell to others. Between the depa' t.
ure of General Woodford, the new En-
yoy. and his arrival in Spain, the
statesman who had shaped the policy Of
his country fell by the hand of an as
sassin, and although the Cabinet OF tbs
late Premier still held Office and received
from our Envoy the proposals he bore
that Cabinet gave place within few
DAYS thereafter to a new administrator
under the leadership of Sagasta.
The reply to our note was received or
the 23d day of October. 1t is in the di-
rection of a better understanding. Il
appreciates the friendly purposes o.
this Government 1t admits that oul
country Is deeply affected by the war II
Cuba, and that it's desires for peace are
lust. 1t declares that the present Span
ish Government is bound by every con
sideration to a change OF policy tina
should satisfy the United States anC
pacify Cuba within a reasonable time
To this end Spain has decided to put in
to effect the political reforms heretofor'
advocated by the present Premier
without hating for any consideration
| in the path which, IN us JuuSnleH'
leads to peace. =,
The military operations, it is said, vii
. continue, but will be humane and con
, Quoted with all regard for privat
{ rights, being accompanied by polltiea
action leading to the autonomy of Cuoa
while guarding Spanish sovereignty
This, it is claimed, will result in invest
ing Cuba with distinct personality
: the island to be governed by an exscu
tive and by local council or chamber
reserving to Spain the control of tn
Z foreign relations, the army and nav,
/ and the judicial administration. Z
5 To accomplish this the present Gov
( eminent proposes to modify ex1Stini
legislation by decree, leaving the Span
, ish Cortes, with the aid of Cuban Sen
/. ators and Deputies, to solve the eco
3 nomic problem and properly distrbut
I the existing debt
{ In the absence of a declaration of tn
measures that the Government pur
s poses to take in carrying out its profile
= of good offices, it suggests that Spai
4 be left free to conduct military opera
: tons and grant political reforms, Will
I the Limited States, forzits-sp part .sha
I Enforce its neutral Obligations and Gu
DIT the assistance which it is asserte
the fnsurgents receive from this coun
< n try. The supposition of am indefinit
r. af tho "a e auiprs i