The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-04-11

pOrtance. Inc present cOnuillOn u hi-
| fairs in Cuba is a constant menace to
| our peace and entails upon this Govern
ment an enormous expense. With such
| conflict waged for years in an island
| so near us and with which our people
| have such trade and business relations
1 when the lives and liberty of our citizens
| are in constant danger and their prop
| erty destroyed and themselves ruined
where our trading vessels are liable to
| seizure and are seized at our very door
| by warships of a foreign nation, the ex-
4 petitions of hlfbustering that we ars
| powerless to prevent altogether. and the
| irritating questions and entanglement1
| thus arising-all these and others that
! need not mention. with the resulting
| strained relations. are a constant menace
to our peace and compel us to keep on
a semi-war footing with nation with
which we are at peace.
| The Maine Disaster.
| These elements of danger and disorder
already pointed out have been strikingly
illustrated by a tragic event which has
deeply aud justly moved the American
people. I have already transmitted TO
Congress the report of the Naval Court
of Inquiry on the destruction of the bat
tIeship Maine" in the harbor of Ha-
vana during the night of the 18th of
February. The destruction of that noble
vessel has filled the national heart with
inexpressibe sorrow. Two hundred and
| ifty-eight brave sailors and marines and
two officers of our Navy, reposing in the
| fancied security Of a friendly harbor
have been hurled to death, grief and
want brought TO their homes and sorrow
| to the nation.
The Naval Court of Inquiry, which II is
needless to say commands the nnquali-
| fled confidence of the Government. was
unanimous in its conclusion that the des-
| truction of the Maine" was caused by
an exterior explosion. that of a sub
marine mine. 1t did not assume to place
the responsibility That remains to be
fixed
In any event the destruction of the
Maine" by whatever exterior cause, is
a patent and impressive proof Of a state
of things in Cuba that is jntolerable.
That condition Is thus shown to be such
that the Spanish government cannot as
sure safety and security to vessel of
the American Navy in the harbor of Ha-
vana on a mission OF peace, and right
fully there.
Further referring in this connection to
recent Diplomatic correspondence. a dis
patch from our minister to Spain. of the
10Th ultimo. contained the statement that
the Spanish minister Of foreign affairs
sured him positively that Spain will do
all that the highest honor and justice re
uure in the matter of the Maine. The
reply above referred 10 OF the 3lst ultimo
also contained an expression Of the readi-
ness Of Spain 20 submit 20 an arbitration
ali the differences which can arise in this
matter. which is substantially explained
by the note Of the Spanish minister at
Washington of The 1eth inst. as follows:
"As to the question of fact which springs
from the diversity Of views between the
report of the American and Spanish
boards. Spain proposes that the fact be
ascertained by an impartial investigation
by experts whose decision Spain accepts
in advance"
To this / have made no reply.
President Grant in 1919. after discussing
the phases Of the contest as it then ap-
peared and its hopeless and apparent in
definite prolongation, said:
Grant Again cited.
In such event l am Of opinion that other na-
tions will he compelled to assume the response
bility which devolves upon them, and to Sc
riously consider the only remaining measures pos
,-a info
hans. 10 the large expanse OF water separating
the island from the peninsula, > the contend
ing parties appear to have within themselves
no depository of common confidence, TO suggest
wisdom when passion and excitement have their
sway; and to assume the part Of peacemaker. In
this view in the earlier DAYS of the contest the
good offices of the United States as a mediator
were rendered in good faith, without any selfish
purpose in the interest of humanity, and in
sincere friendship for both parties but were at
the time declined by Spain with the declaration,
nevertheless that at 4 future time they would
be indispensable. No intimat;on has been received
that in the opinion of Spain that time had been
reached. And vet the strife continues with all
its dread horrors, and all its injuries to the in
terests OF the United States and of other ma
tions Each party seems quite capable of work
ing great injury and damage to the other as well
the existence of peace in the island; but they
seem incapable of reaching any adjustment. and
both have thus far failed of achieving any sue
cess whereby one party shall possess and control
the island to the exclusion of the other. Under
the circumstances, the agency of Others. either
by mediation or by Intervention, seems to be the
only alternative which must. sooner or later,
be invoked for the termination of the strife.
In the last annual message of my i'm |
mediate predecessor during the pending |
struggle it was said:
When the inability of Spain to deal success
fully with the instruction has become manifest,
and it is demonstrated that her sovereignty is |
extinct in Cuba for all purposes of its right |
full existence and when hopeless struggle for |
its re-establishmbent has degenerated into strife
which means nothing more than the useless sacri- !
fee of human life and the utter destruction of |
the very subject matter of the conflict a stu
ation will be presented in which our obliga-
tions to the sovereignty of Spain will he super
seeded by higher obligations, and which We can |
hardly hesitate to recognize and discharge.
The Hour Has Come.
In my annual message to Congress, De-
cember last, speaking to this question, l |
said:
1.-THE near future will demonstrate
whether the indispensable condition of
righteous peace. just alike to the Cubans
and to Spain as well as equitable to all
our interests so intimately involved in
the welfare of Cuba, is likely to be al
tained. If not, the exigepcy of further
and other action by the United States will
remain to be taken When that time
comes that action will be determined in
the line of indisputable right and duty.
1t will be faced. without misgiving or |
1ncstu sr, IfrrA.t @F 81. 1