The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-12

Maine by whatever exterior cause is a
patent and impressive proof of a state OF
things in Cuba that is intoierable. That
condition is thus shown TO be such that
the Spanish government cannot assure
safety and security TO vessel of the
American navy in the harbor of Havana
on a mission OF peace and rightfully there
Further referring in this connection 10
recent diplomatic correspondence, a dis
patch from our minister to Spain. of the
18th ult., contained the statement that the
Spanish minister for foreign affairs assur-
ed him positively that Spain will do all
that the highest honor and Justice require
in the matter of the Maine. The reply
above referred to Of the Slst ult., also con-
tanned an expression of the readiness OF
Spain to submit to an arbitration all the
differences which can arise in this mat
ter, which is subsequently explained by
the note of the Spanish minister at WASH
ington of the 10th inst. as follows:
LAS to the question of fact which
springs from the diversity of views be-
tween the reports of the American and
Spanish boards, Spain proposes that the
fact be ascertained by an impartial inves-
tigation by experts whose decision Spain
accepts in advance"
To this l have made no reply.
President Grant in 1875, after discussing
the phases of the contest as it then APP
peared, and its hopeless and apparent in
definite prolongation, said: "In such event,
1 am of opinion that other nations will be
compelled to assume the responsibility
which devolves upon them, and to serious
ly consider the only remaining measures
possible, mediation and intervention. Ow-
ing perhaps to the large expanse of water
separating the island from the peninsula,
the contending parties appear TO have
within themselves no depository OF COM
mon 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 con-
test, the good offices of the United States
as mediator were rendered in good faith
without any selfish purpose, in the inter
est of humanity and in sincere friendship
for both parties but were at the time de-
clined by Spain with the declaration, new
ertheless, that al a 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 ali its dread 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
dependent on the existence of peace in the
island; but they seem Incapable of reach
ing any adjustment and both have thus
far failed of achieving any success where
by one party shall possess and control the
island to the exclusion of the other. I'm
der the circumstances the agency of 9TH
ers, either by mediation or 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 imme-
date predecessor during the pending strug-
gle it was said: when the inability of
Spain to deal successfully with the insur-
rection has become manifest and it is
demonstrated that her sovereignty is ex-
tinct in Cuba for all purposes of its right
full existence, and when a hopeless strug-
gle for its re-estabiishment has degener-
ated into a strife which means nothing
more than the useless sacrifice of human
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 be super
seeded by higher obligations, which we can
hardly hesitate TO recognize and dis
charge"
In my annual message to Congress last
December, speaking to this question, |
said 1.-THE near future will demonstrate
righteous peace just alike to the Cubans
and to Spain, as well as equitable 10 all
our interests so intimately involved in the
welfare of Cuba, is likely to be attained.
If not, the eXigency of further and other
action by the United States will remain 10
be taken. When that time comes then ac-
ton will be determined in the line of indis
putable right and duty. II will be faced
without misgiving or hesitancy in the light
OF the obligation this government owes to
itself, to the people who have confded to
1t the protection of their interests and
honor, and to humanity.
Sure of the right, keeping free from all
offense ourselves, actuated only by up
right and patriotic considerations. moved
neither by passion nor selfshness, the gov
eminent will continue its watchful care
over the rights and property of American
citizens, and will abate none of its efforts
10 bring about by peaceful agencies a peace
which shall be honorable and enduring. II
it shall hereafter appear to be duty i'm
posed by our obligations to ourselves, to
civilization and humanity to intervene
with force, it shall be without fault on our
part and only because the necessity for
such action will be so clear as to command
the support and approval of the civilized
world"
The long trial has proved that the OBJ
ject for which Spain has waged the war
cannot be attained. The fire of instruction
may fame or may shoulder with varying
seasons, but ii has not been and IT. IS plain
that it cannot be extinguished by present
methods. The only hope of relief and re-
pose from a condition which can no longer
be endured Is the enforced pacifcat ton OF
Cuba. In the name of humanity, I'm the