The herald., 1898-03-11
| PROCLAMATION PREPARED

Any doubt which the president ma!
have entertained. at the time he sen
his message to congress in December
regarding the attitude of the people OF
the Cuban question, having been re-
moved by the unmistakable manifesto
tions in congress and in the public press
it will not now be so difficult for him tt
discover grounds for intervention.
So far as the precedents go and un'
written international law may apply, the
situation in Cuba has not been materially
changed since December. The insur-
gents, while losing no ground since then
have at the same time little more than
held that which they then occupied
They have no more of fixed govern
ment now than they had when the presi-
dent urged that as areason for keeping
hands off.
The Spaniards have made no advances
in recovering lost territory, occupying
identically the same position now they
did in December.
But some other things have since hap
pened that have bearing upon the
observation-disclosures which an unwilling
president might ignore, were 1t his dis
position to do so, but which may now be
utilized with a show of consistency in
justifying steps which, up to this time.
he has been unwilling to take:
First-The scheme Of autonomy pro-
posed by the Madrid government has
failed.
Second-The insurgents have not only
refused to consider it in the form pre-
sented, but declare that no possible mod
lfication of it will be acceptable.
Third-Blanco has utterly failed to i'm
prove the conditions existing in the
island at the time he took command,
and his methods are believed to be
scarcely less harsh or more humane than
were those of his predecessor.
Fourth-The large sums of money
which Spain proposed to expend in re-
lieving the distress of the reconcentra-
dos has not been forthcoming, and the
thousands who were reduced to the verge
VI Ndllcl NY tHC ~ uSi DPAiiioiA PciiNS
are today dependent upon the charity
of the people of this country.
Fifth-The sanitary condition of the
island is steadily growing menace, not
only to the health of those who are COM
pelled to remain on the island, but
to the United States. No improvement
in this respect can be looked for until
hostilities cease.
Sixth-The rainy season is fast ap-
preaching, when operations in the field
will need to be suspended for long
time, the delay promising to. yield nc
wholesome fruits.
Seventh--The official report of the
naval board of inquiry into the causes
of the Maine disaster, it is now
universally believed, cannot fail to show
Spains responsibility, in the matter OF
neglecting proper safeguards at least.
Eighth-The probability, strengthened
by every days delay, is that the Sagasta
government will be driven from power
by the voters of Spain in the approach
ing elections, followed by an attempt
upon the part of the ultra war party, tC
reinstate Weylerism if not Weyler in tho
conduct of the island.
Late information from Washington i:
to the effect that the president has at las
determined to act, and that his procla.
nation has already been written, an
nouncing the purposes of the United
States. This is not necessarily declara
tion of war-an exclusive prerogative O.
congress-but tantamount to that, sine,
it is conceded, in Europe as we'll as in the
United States, that Spain will not brool
interference with her authority in Cuba
upon the part of this or any other nation
One thing is certain, and every one ha
come to recognize 1.-THE present strained
relations between the two countries can
not long exist, and since they are no
likely to improve in the face of tn
sctive preparations for war going for