Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-04-12

the mere relation of a friendly ally.
When 1t shall appear hereafter that
there is within the island government
capable of performing the duties
and discharging the functions Of
separate nation. and having.
as a matter of fact. the proper forms
and attributes of nationality. such gov
eminent can be promptly and readily
recognized, and the relations and inter-
ests of the United States with such ma
ton adjusted.
There remain the alternative forms OF
intervention to end the war either as an
impartial neutral, by imposing a ra-
tional compromise between the contest
ants, or as the active ally of the one
party or the other.
As to the first, ii is not to be forgotten
that during the last few months the
relation of the United States has virtu-
ally been one of friendly intervention
in many ways, each not of itseslf conclu-
sive. but all tending to the exertion of a
potential influence toward an ultimate
pacific result, just and honorable to all
interests concerned. The spirit of all
our acts hitherto has been an earnest
unselfish desire for peace and prosperity
in Cuba, untarnished by differences be-
tween us and Spain and unstained by
the blood OF American citizens. The for
chile Intervention OF the United States.
as a neutral, to stop the war, according
to the large dictates of humanity and
following many historical precedents
where neighboring states have inter-
fered to check the hopeless sacrifices Of
life by internecine conflicts beyond their
borders. is justifiable on rational
grounds. 1t involves. however. hostile
constraint upon both the parties TO the
contest, as well as to enforce a truce as
to guide the eventual settlement. The
grounds for such Intervention may be
briefly summarized as follows
First-In the cause OF humanity and
to put an end to the barbaritles, blood
shed, starvation and horrible miseries
now existing there, and which the par
ties to the conflict are either unable OF
unwilling to stop or mitigate. 1t Is no
answer TO say this is all In another coun-
try, belonging to another nation. and is
therefore. none of our business. 1t is
specially our duty, for 1t is right at our
door,
Second-We owe 1t to our citizens in
Cuba to afford them that protection
and indemnity for life and property
which no government there can or will
afford, and to that end to terminate the
conditions that deprive them of legal
protection.
Third-The right TO intervene may be
justified by the very serious injury to
~. ID nd t.,c - on
people, and by the wanton destruction
of property and devastation OF the ISL
and.
Fourth land which Is of the most inn
pcrtance)-The present condition of ar
fairs of Cuba is a constant menace TO
our peace, and entails upon this govern
ment an enormous expense. With such a
conflict waged for years in an island so
near US and with which our people have
such trade and business relations
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 the very door
by warships of the foreign nation, the
expeditions OF filibustering that we are
irritating questions and entanglements
thus arising-all these and others that l
need not mention, with the resulting
strained relations, are a constant men
ace to our peace and compel us to keep on
a semi-war footing with a war nation
with which we are at peace.
These elements of danger and disorder
already pointed out have been strikingly
illustrated by tragic event which has
deeply and justly moved the American
people. l have already transmitted to
congress the report Of the naval court
of inquiry on the destruction of the bat
tleship Maine in the harbor of Havana
during the night of the 18th of February.
The destruction of that noble vessel has
filled the national heart with inexpressi-
BILE horror. Two hundred and fifty eight
brave sailors or marines and two officers
Of our navy. reposing in the fancied Sc
curity of friendly harbor, have been
hurled to death, grief and want brought
to their homes and sorrow to the ma
ton.
The naval court of inquiry. which, 1t is
needless to say. commands the unquaii-
fed confidence of the government, was
unanimous in its conclusion that the de-
struction of the Maine was caused by an
external explosion, that of submarine
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
Potent and impressive proof of state of
things in Cuba that is intolerable. That
condition is thus shown to be such that
the Spanish government cannot assure
safety and security to a vessel of the
American navy in the harbor of Havana
on a mission of peace and rightfully
there. Further referring in this connec-
ton to recent diplomatic correspondence,
a dispatch from our minister to Spain. Of
the 18th ult., contained the statement
that the Spanish minister for foreign af-
fairs assured him positively that Spain |
will do all that the highest honor and |
Justice required in the matter OF the |
Maine. The reply above referred to of |
the 31st ult. also contained an expression |
of the readiness of Spain to submit to |
an arbitration all the differences which