The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-12-06


our sentiments of humanity; and, while
appreeiating the humanitarian and dis
interested character of the cOmmunica-
ton they had adopted on behalf of the
powers, I had stated the confidence of
TINS government on its part that equal
appreciation would be shown for its
earnest and unselish endeavors to full
fill a duty of humanity by ending a sit
uation, the indefinite prolongation of
which had become insufferable.
AN ARMIs1TCE PROPOSED.
Still animated by the hope Of a peace
full solution, and obeying the dictates
OF duty, no effort was relaxed to bring
about a speedy ending of the Cuban
struggle. Negotiations to this effect
continued actively with the government
of Spain looking to the immediate con-
clusion of six months armistice in
Cuba, with view to effect the recogni-
ton of her peoples rights to independ-
ence. Besides this, the instant revoca-
ton of the order 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 we'll
nigh destroyed productive energies of
the island, contribute TO the restoration
of its tranquility and wei being. Ne
gotiations continued for some little
time at Madrid, resulting in offers by
the Spanish government which could
not but be regarded as inadequate. It
. was proposed to confide the preparation
vi peace to the insular parliament, yet
ito be convened under the autonomous
4 DEGREES Of November, 1897, but without
impairment in any wise of the consti-
tutional powers Of the Madrid govern
menti Which to that end would grant
aTTqiGfipp if colipi+nd nv fba
gents, for such time as the general in
chief might see fit to fix. How and
with what scope of discretionary DOW
ers the insular parliament was expect
ed to set about the preparation of
peace, did not appear. If it was to be
by negotiation with the insurgents, the
issue seemed to rest on the one side
with body chosen by that faction of
the electors in the districts under Span
ish control, and on the other with the
insurgent population holding the inte-
rlor country, unrepresented in the So
called parliament. and defiant at the
suggestion of suing for peace.
REFERRED TO CONGRESS.
Grieved and disappointed at this bar
rem outcome of my sincere endeavors
to reach "a practicable solution, l felt it
my duty to remit the whole question To
congress. In the message of April IL
1898, / 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 ] had prepared con-
Guiding that the only action consistent
with international policy and compati-
bic with our firm-set historical tradi-
lions was Intervention as a neutral to
stop the war and check the hopeless
sacrifice of life, even though that resort
involved hostile constraint upon both
the parties to the contest, as well TO
enforce truce as to guide the eventual
settlement
The grounds justifying that step We're
the interests Of humanity; the duty to
p1otect life and property of our citizens
Cuba; the right to check injury TO
our commerce and people through the
devastation of the island, and, most
important, the need of removing at
once and forever the constant menace
and the burdens entailed upon our gov
eminent by the uncertainties and perils
of the situation caused by the unendur-
able disturbance in Cuba I said:
The long trial has proved that the
object for which Spain has waged the
war cannot be attained. The fire of
insurrection may fame or may smoul-
der with varying seasons, but it has not
been and it is plain that il cannot be
eXdnguished by present methods. The
only hope of relief and repose from the
condition which can nc longer be en-
dured is the enforced pacification of
Cuba In the name of humanity, in
the name of civilization, in behalf of
endangered American interests, which
give us the right and duty TO speak
and to act, the war in Cuba must stop. -
In view of all this the congress was
asked to authorize and empower the
president to take measures TO secure a
full and final termination of hostilities
between Spain and the people of Cuba,
and to secure in the island the estab-
lishment of a stable government cap
able of maintaining order and observ-
ing its international obligations, insur-
ing peace and tranquility and the secur-
ity 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 con-
tinue generous relief to the starving
people of Cuba
CONGRESS RESPONDED.
THE response of the congress, after
n$Re days of earnest deiiberation, dur
tflgAWhich the almost unanimous senti-
inent of your body was developed on
every point save as to the expediency
of coupling the proposed action with q
formal recognition Of the republic OF
Cuba as the true and lawful govern
ment of that island-a proposition
which failed of adoption-the congress
after conference, on the 18th of April
by vote of forty-two to uhirty-four in
the senate and 81 to six in the house
of representatives, passed the memor-
able joint resolution declaring:
First, That the people of the island
of Cuba are and by right ought to be
free and independent.
Second. That it is the duty of the
United States. and the government OF
the United States hereby demands, that
the government of Spain at once relin-
Quish its authority in the island OF
Cuba and withdraw its land and naval
forces from Cuba and Cuban waters.
Third. That the president of the
United States be and is hereby directed
and empowered TO use the entire land
and naval forces Of the United States
and the militia of the several states, to
such extent as may be necessary tC
carry these resolutions into effect.
Fourth, That the United States here
by disclaims any disposition or inten-
ton to exercise sovereignty, jurisdic-
ton or control over said island. except
for the pacification thereof, and asserts
its determination when that is accom-
piished to- leave the government and
control of the island to its people"
This resolution was approved by the
executive on the next day, April 30
A CODY was at once communicated to
the Spanish minister at this capital
Yho forthwith announced his continu-
Atnce in Washington had thereby be-
come impossible and asked for his pass
ports, which were given him. He there
upon withdrew from Washington. leav-
ing the protection of Spanish interests
in the United States to the French am