Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-04-12
WHAT PRESIDENT GRANT SAID.
Mediation and Intervention the ONLY
Measures Possible.

Measures Possible.
President Grant, In 1875, after dis
cussing the phases Of the contest as IL
then appeared. and its hopeless and APP
parent indefinite prolcngation, said:
In such event. I am Of the opinion
that other nations will be compelled TO
assume the responsibility which de-
wolves upon them, ard to seriously
consider the only remaining measures
possible-mcdiation and Intervention
Owing. perhaps. 10 the large expanse
Of water separating the island FROM the
peninsula, the contesting parties ap-
pear 40 have within themselves no de-
nository of common confidence 20 sug-
gest wisdom when passion and excite
ment have their sway. and assume the
part Of pcacemaker. In this view, I'm
the earlier days If the contest the good
offices Of the United States as a medi-
a;or were rendered in good faith. with
cut 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 future time they
would be Indispensable. No intimation
has been received that In the opinion
OF Spain that time has been reached.
And yet. the strife continues with all
its dreadful horrors and all its injuries
TO the interests OF the United States
and Of other nations. Each party seems
quite capable Of working great injury
and damage to the other. as well as TO
all the relations and interests depend
ent on the existence OF peace In the
island; but they seem incapable Of
reaching any adjustment. and both
have. thus far failed Of achieving any
success whereby one party shall PES
sess and control the island TO the exclu-
sion of the other. Under the circum-
stances the agency Of others. esther
by mediation or by Intervention, seems
to be the only alternative which must.
sooner or later. be invoked for the ter
mination Of the strife
In the last annual message Of my i'm
mediate predecessor during the pending
struggle IL was said:
when the inability of Spain to deal
successfully with the instruction has
become manifest, and Il Is demonstrate
ed that her sovereignty Is extinct in
Cuba for all purposes Of its rightful ex-
istence, and when a hopeless struggle
for its establishment has degenerat-
cd into strife which means nothing
more than the useless sacrifice of hu-
man life and the utter destruction Of
the very subject matter Of the conflict.
situation will be presented in which
our obligations TO the sovereignty Of
| Spain will he superseded by higher OBJ
| legations, which we can hardly hesitate
| to recognize and discharge"
In my annual message 10 congress.
December last, speaking on this ques-
| ton. l said:
The near future will demonstrate
whether the Indispensable condition Of
| righteous peace. just alike II the Gu
| bans and to Spain. as well as equitable
to our interests. so Intimately involved
in the welfare OF Cuba, is likely 10 be
attained. II not, the exigency Of fur
Their and other action by the United
| States will remain to be taken. When
that time comes that action will be de-
| termined in the line of indisputable
right and duty. 1t will be faced without
| misgiving or hesitarcy in the light OF
| the obligation this government owes "a
| itself, to the people who have confided
| to ii the protection of their interests
| and honor. and TO humanity.
Sure Of the right, keeping free from
all offense ourselves. actuated only by
| upright and patriotic considerations
moved neither by passion nor selfish
| ness, the government will continue its
| watchful care over the rights and prop
erty of American citizens. and will
| abate none of its efforts TO bring about
by peaceful agencies n peace which
| shall be honorable and enduring. II II
| shall hereafter appear to be duty i'm
posed by our obligations to ourselves,
| to civilization and humanity to inter-
vene with force. IL shall be without
| fault on our part and only because the
necessity for such action will be 50
| clear as to command the support and
| approval Of the civilized world"