Associated Press, Thursday, December 3, 1896.
WAR WITH SPAIN DEMANDED ON HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS.
DIPLOMATIC EUPHEMISM.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 1896.—Reports are in quite general
circulation here to the effect that Secretary Olney, sometime in November, had
given the Spanish government courteously, but firmly, to understand that the
Cuban rebellion must lie crushed within three months or the United States would
be compelled to intervene to stop hostilities. It was said that prominent Republican
senators have been informed of this ultimatum.
The reports, in their general
features, were similar to rumors prevalent about a month ago and emphatically
denied at the time by officials of this government and also at Madrid. No
confirmation of the latest reports could be obtained in official circles here,
and it was denied that Spain had been informed of any such ultimatum. Senators
who have been active in foreign affairs and have consulted state department officials
on the Cuban situation, expressed the opinion that the administration had not
made any radical changes in its attitude, but a number of them gave it as their
own personal opinion that congress should adopt vigorous methods to prevent the
present state of affairs.
It is expected that the
president will take early occasion to send to the congress the report Consul
General Lee has submitted to the secretary of state on the result of his
observations in Cuba.
A prominent member of the
senate committee on foreign relations said that it would not be possible for
the president to send a pro-Spanish message to congress in view of the report
which Consul General Lee had made to Secretary Olney. Speaking generally of the
views of General Lee, the senator said that they were well enough known to make
it clear that his report would not be favorable to the Spanish contentions. It
is known that the report which General Lee made presents a very grave, not to
say horrifying, condition of affairs in Cuba. One of the conditions he describes
is that of the situation of the noncombatants, peaceable citizens, who have no
interest in the war except to see it ended.
These people, whether within the Spanish lines
or the Cuban lines, are sufferers. if within the Cuban lines, they plant their
crops in order to obtain a living, only to have their territory raided and
occupied by the Spanish forces who immediately destroy the crops, burn the
houses and other property of the planters and upon the slightest pretext, it is
alleged, put the men to death or imprison them, on the
ground that they have been aiding the rebellion. In fact, it is regarded as
aiding the Cubans if crops are raised, which they might obtain. Noncombatants
within Spanish territory, when occupied by the Cubans are given like treatment, on the ground that they sympathize with
Spain. The report of General Lee, besides showing what difficulties the
noncombatants have to contend with in the matter of securing enough food to
sustain life, also points out how they are often hurried to prisons and
condemned without the trials Americans are accustomed to see given to persons
charged with offenses.
It is known that General Lee's
report shows that cruelty is practiced on both sides, but it is said that more
cases have come to his knowledge of wrongs on the part of the Spanish.
A very conservative member of
the senate committee on foreign relations said that the conditions in Cuba were
such that intervention by the United
States in the cause of humanity [italics
added by CC editor to emphasize euphemism] was demanded and he had no doubt that congress would early
take a stand in the matter.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 1896. —
Representative McCreary of Kentucky, the leading Democratic member of the
foreign affairs committee, who has returned to the city, said he was in favor
of the independence of Cuba. First, he thought there should be friendly
intervention with a view to bringing about peace, but if that should not cause
hostilities to cease then civilization and humanity would justify steps being taken
looking to according belligerent rights to the insurgents.
CINCINNATI, Dec 2, 1896.—A special from Key West says: Weyler's
threats that he would starve the Cubans out seems likely to be carried out, as
from all reports from Mariel, near where Captain General Weyler is now, the work
of destruction is being carried out fully.
The
Spanish army sweeps everything before it, killing beeves that it cannot use, burning
cornfields and small stores with their provisions, and leaving a wide waste of
ruin and desolation in its wake.
People
vainly implore Weyler to leave them provisions to keep them alive, but his
brutal officers refuse with oaths and insulting words, if not worse.
Over
300 refugees have come into Mariel since Weyler went out this last time, all giving
the same story of rapine, plunder and murder.
A
Spanish guerrilla captain, named Coleazo, is accused of murdering over 100
persons in the valleys, 100 miles south of Mariol, during the latter part of
November. In one instance he is accused of confining a
number of women and girls in a church, and after they had been repeatedly abused
and maltreated by his men, burning the building with them in it.
Many
other outrages, all as horrible, are charged to him and his company.
HAVANA, Oct. 22, 1896.—The
insurgents have blown up two bridges between Los Palacious and Pazo Real,
province of Pinar del Rio, causing great damage.
A passenger on board a train,
detained on account of the wreck, found another bomb which, however, had not
exploded. A terrific explosion was also heard at Los Palos, Pinar del Rio.
At Jovellanos, province of
Matanzas, the insurgents made a futile attempt to blow up a passenger train. The
weather has been clearing during the past week and active field operations against
the insurgents will shortly be commenced.
The Diario de la Marina, during the course of a very lively editorial
against the United States government, says:
"On the termination of the
revolutions in Cuba and the Philippine islands, Spain will present claims for
damages to the United States government for allowing filibustering expeditions
to be fitted out within its jurisdiction."
Associated Press, Wednesday, October 21, 1896.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 1896.—It can be stated on good authority that there
has been no change in the declared policy of the government with respect to
Cuba, nor is any contemplated. As is well known, the sympathies of the
administration as individuals in a large measure are with the insurgents, but
if they gain their independence it will be without any intervention other than
amicable on the part of Mr. Cleveland.
From
the inception of the present difficulties in Cuba the administration has used
all reasonable diligence in preventing the fitting out in this country of
hostile expeditions against the Spanish authorities in Cuba, and this vigilance
will be continued to the end.
The
government has taken this course for the purpose of showing to the world that
international law is held sacred in the United States, and also for the purpose
of making it impossible for Spain successfully to prosecute any claim against the
United States for damages growing out of filibustering expeditions, as might be
the case were the officials less alert in preventing such expeditions and in
prosecuting offenders.
It
can be stated also that the sending of the revenue cutter Windom to sea with sealed
orders has no special significance whatever beyond the purpose of the treasury officials
to keep secret from Cuban agents the movements of the revenue fleet.
Hitherto
insurgent agents in this country, through Cuban sympathizers, have managed to secure
all necessary information regarding any contemplated movement even in advance
of American officers, and as a result the purposes of the government have been
defeated. This has occurred so often that the officials have determined to put
a stop to it as far as possible by issuing sealed orders to the captains of
revenue cutters, which orders are not to be opened until well at sea.
HAVANA,
Oct. 21, 1896.—The supreme court of war and marine has ordered the preparation of
new cases against the crew of the American schooner Competitor, who will now be
tried before an ordinary marine court martial. The preliminary steps have
already been taken. Laborde, the commander of the schooner, and Melton, the American
newspaper correspondent, will be tried in accordance with the provisions of the
treaty of 1881.
During
a skirmish at the plantation of Galdfie, province of Pinar del Rio, nine insurgents
have been killed. Among the dead is Captain Enrique Jerez.
A
dispatch from Matanzas announces that the insurgent leader, Aguilla, has been
killed.
Consul General Lee is in good health, and the report circulated by La
Lucha in a dispatch from Washington, to the effect that the general had been
asked to be recalled, is classed as untrue.
References:
Spanish-American War: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish-American_War
Associated
Press: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associated_Press
Filibuster: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filibuster_(military)
Captain General Weyler: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valeriano_Weyler,_1st_Duke_of_Rub%C3%AD
United States Revenue Cutter: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revenue_cutter
Filibuster: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filibuster_(military)
Captain General Weyler: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valeriano_Weyler,_1st_Duke_of_Rub%C3%AD
United States Revenue Cutter: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revenue_cutter
No comments:
Post a Comment