Page:Anglo-American relations during the Spanish-American war (IA abz5883.0001.001.umich.edu).pdf/77



in 1897 it was apparent that the Cuban revolution had assumed an international significance. In the last days of 1896 Spain had refused the joint request of France, Great Britain, and Germany that she should accept the good offices of the United States with a view to assuring a prompt termination of the war. As a result of this joint action, however, she had published, on February 6, 1897, a decree which granted Cuba a reformed system of government to go into operation as soon as the state of war in Cuba would permit.

This decree served only to complicate the situation. The insurgents were steadily growing more determined in their demands for independence, while Spain was equally resolved that no amelioration of Cuban conditions should be granted until the parties demanding the reforms should put themselves at her mercy by throwing down their arms. The insurgents felt that Spain's promise was worthless, that nothing