The Portland daily press., 1898-12-06

further negotiations would lead to an
agreement which, while securing the
maintenance of peace, would afford all
necessary guarantees for the re-estab-
Iishment of order in Cuba. In respond
ing to that representation, I said shared
the hope the ENJOYS had expressed that
peace might be preserved in a manner
to terminate the chronic condition or dis
turbaffce in Cuba SO injurious ana men
acing to-our interests and tranquility as
well as shocking to our sentiments OF
humanity; and, while appreclaunS the
humanitarian and disinterested chaTac-
ter soft the communication they mad, on
behalf of the powers, stated the conf1-
dence of this government, for Its part,
that equal appreciation would be SHOWN
for It's own earnest and unselflsh en-
deayorssto fulfill duty to humanity by
ending a situation, the indefinite pro-
longation Of which had become INSURER
able.
Still animated by the hope of peace
FIJI solution and obeying the dictates OF
duty. no effort was relaxed to bring about
a speedy ending of the Cuban struggle
Negotiations to this object continued ae-
lively with the government of Spain,
looking to the immediate conclusion of a
six months armistice in Cuba, with a
view to effect the recognition Of her
peoples right to independence. Besides
THIS. the SldHl ICfQCdJlOll VI tilC W QCt
of RECOMMENDATION was asked so that the
sufferers, returning to their homes and
aided by united American and Spanish
effort, might be put in a way to support
themselves and by orderly resumption
of the well-nigh destroyed productive
energies of the island, contribute to the
restoration of its tranquility ana well
being. Negotiations continued for some
little time at Madrid, resulting in offers
J, a ic1 toh rnt1ld
rot but be regarded as inadequate. 1t
was proposed to confide the preparation
of peace to the insular parliament, yet to
be convened under the autonomous de-
crees of. November, 1897. but without i'm
pairnent in any wise of the constitu-
tional powers of the Madrid government
which, to that end would grant an arm
istice. If solicited by the insurgents for
such time as the general in chief might
see fit to fix.
Z Grieved and disappointed at this barren
outcome sof my sincere endeavors to
reach a practicable solution, felt 1t my
duty to remit the whole question to con-
gress. In the message of April II, 1898
I announced that with this last overture
In the direction of immediate peace IN
Cuba and its disappointing reception by
Spain, the effort of the executive was
brought to an end. again reviewed the
alternative course of action which mad
been proposed, concluding that the only
one consonant with international policy
and compatible with our firm-set his
torical traditions, was intervention as
neutral to stcp the war and check the
hopeless sacrifice of life. even though
that resort involved hostile constraint
upon both the parties to the contest. as
we'll to enforce truce as to guide the
eventual settlement"
The grounds justifying that step were
the interests of humanity: the duty to
protect the life and property of our citt-
zens in Cuba: the right to check injury
to onr commerce and people through
the devastation of the island. and, most
frnnortant the need of removing at once
and forever the constant menace ana une
burdens entailed upon our government
bv the uncertainties and perils of the
situation caused by the uncomfortable dis
turbance in Cuba.
In view of all this the congress was
asked to authorize and empower the
president to take measures to secure a
full and final terminat ton of hostilities
between Spain and the people of Cuba
and to secure in the island the establish
ment of a stable government, capable
of maintaining order and observing its
interna tional obligations, insuring peace
and tranquility and the security OF Its
citizens as well as our own. and for the
accomplishment of those ends to use the
military and naval forces of the United
States as might be necessary. with added
authority to continue generous RELIEF TO
the starving people of Cuba.
The response of the congress, after nine
days of earnest elaboration on April 10,
by a vote of AZ to IS in the senate, and 311
to in the house of representatives,
passed the memorable joint resolution
declaring:
First that the people of the island OF
Cuba are, and of right ought to be free
and independent.
SeconS-That it is the duty of the
United States to demand, and the gov
err merit of the United States does here
by demand that the government of Spain
at once relinouish its authority and gov
eminent in the island or Cuba and with
ara w it's lard and naval forces from Cuba
ard Cuban waters
Third-That the President of the United
States be, and he is hereby directed and
empowered to use the entire land and
ravaI forces Of the United States, and to
call into the actual service of the United
States the militia of the several states.
to such extent as may be necessary to
carrv these resolutions into effect.
Fourth-That the United States hereby
discIaims any disposition or intention to
exercise sovereignty jurisdiction or con-
troll over SdIO 1SfdHQF except lOT LnG
pacification thereof, and asserts its de-
termina ton when that is accomplished
to leave the government and control of
the island to its people.
This resolution was approved by the
executive on the next day, April 90 A
COPY was at once communicated to the
SPANISH minister at this capital. who
forthwith announced that his continu-
ance in Washington had thereby be-
come impossible and asked for his pass
ports. which were given him. He there
npon withdrew from Washington, leav-
ing the protection of Spanish interests in
the United States to the French am
bassador and the Austro-Hungarian
minister.
simultaneously with this communion
ton to the Spanish minister here. Cen
eral Woodford, the American minister
at Madrid, was telegraphed confirmation
Of the text of the joint session, and di-
rected to communicate it to the govern
nent of Spain with the formal demand
that it at once relinquish its authority
and government in the island OF Cuba
and withdraw its forces therefrom
coupling this demand with the announce
nient Of the intentions Of this govern
ment as to the future of the island, in
conformity with the fourth clause of the
resolution and giving Spain until noon