New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-06
WAR SEEMS CLOSE AT HAND.
EFFORTS FOR PEACE A FAILURE.
ARMED INTERVENTION IN CUBA THE
PRESIDENTS POLICY.
An ULTIMA7UM TO BE SENT TO SPAIN.


SHE MUST LEAVE THE ISLAND VOLUNTARILY OR
BB EJEcTED BY THE NAVAL AND MILITARY
FORCES or THE UNITED sTATBs-A PLAN
OF ACTION ARRANGED BETWEEN
THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS-
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBuSE.l
Washington. April 5.-The apparent failure OF
all attempts on the part Of friendly European
Powers 10 induce Spain to acknowledge defeat
in Cuba and to end the wasting and barbarous
warfare which has devastated that unhappy
lslard leave little basis tonight for the hope
that peaceful relations can longer be maintained
between Spain and the United States
Though war is not likely to be declared at
once as a result Of the Spanish Cabinets per-
a,stence in maintaining q 9truggle In Cuba which
can only prolong the reign Of misery and dis
order there yet the nadequacy OF Spanish ef-
forts to restore stable civil administration and
protect American lives and property in Cuba,
and the disappointing character OF the promises
for the future offered by the Sagasta Govern
ment have finally forced the United States to
assume a coercive attitude which, In default Of
nm absolute surrender on spain > patt, lhuSt
speedily entail war.
AN ULTIMATUM TO SPAIN.
This attitude. assumed only after every other
peaceful resource had been exhausted involves
the submission by the President with the ex-
press sanction Of Congress. Of an ultimatum to
Spain insisting on tho Immediate withdrawal OF
Cph
this ultimatum be rejected by the Madrid Gov
crnment the President. under instructions from
Congress- ia 10 employ the military and naval
strength Of tho country TO expel the Spanish
troops from tho island.
This programme has now been more or less
definitely arranged between tho President and
the leaders IN the two branches Of Congress.
Tho long expected Spanish correspondence and
the Message which accompanies It are to go 10
tho Capitol tomorrow. unless the fear that the
safety 81 American citizens now awaiting de-
poriation from Spanish territory may b. on
danr,red ~ too speedy action In Washington.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Thc message will deal exhaustivey with tho
more past to mitigate the horrors Of In
cuba and - obtain from Spain by friendly
rcYrcecn'ation guarantees ~ the restoration OF
order and tho protection OF American property
and interests II will show that Instead Of be-
ing mltlgatei the harbarites inflicted on the
non n-comhatant population have until within
very recent period been steadily intensified and
maintain n stable civil administration and az
ford protection 10 lie and commerce has be-
come gradually moro and more pronounced.
II" starvation Of thousands OF non-cornbat-
ants through tho operation Of the policy Of re-
concentration. the destruction OF the battle-ship
Maine IN the very harhor Of Havana. the whole
ealc stoppage or trade and industry in many
parts ~ tho island Will be cited and urged "a
evidence ~ the total breakdown Of Spanish au-
thorlty in Cuba and the virtual return OF many
~ its provinces to "A state OF political and civil
anarchy.
II viii bn shown that Spain refusing to admit
her inability longer to control or administer the
island. Withholding concessions which alone offer
the hope Of the revival Of civil order ani the
restoration - peace and tranquility. and falling
- offer rcparation for the loss Of American lives
and property. has fully and fairly justified this
country in Intervening by armed force If neces-
sary. to end n situation which has become in
tolerable in American eyes. II not IN the eyes
Of the whole civilized world.
TO RECOMMEND INTERVENTION
overt and positive Intervention Is therefore
expected TO be recommended by the President
az tho true and necessary American policy
But Intervention on such broadly humantaria
ard political grounds involves the obvious ~
sponslbuty on this country's part 10 see nat