Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-04-12

l ludktT.
In this view, in the earlier days OF tn,
contest. the good offices of the United
States as a mediator were rendered in
good faith. without any selfish purpose
lin the Interest of humanity and in sin.
cere friendship for both parties, Blu
were at the time declined by Spain, witt
the declaration nevertheless, that at q
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 con
tinues with all 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 inter-
| ests dependent on the existence of peace
| In the island; but they seem incapab BILE of
| reaching any adjustment, and both have
thus far failed of achieving any success
whereby one party shall possess and
| control the island to the exclusion OF the
| other Under the circumstances, the
| agency of others, either by mediation or
| by Intervention, seems to be the only al
| tentative. which must. sooner or later.
be invoked for the termination of the
strife"
In the last annual message Of my i'm
mediate predecessor, during the pending
struggle, it was said
when the inability of Spain to deal
successfully with the insurrection has
become manifest and IL is demonstrated
that her sovereignty is extinct in Cuba
for all purposes of its rightful existence.
and when hopeless struggle for its re-
| establishment has degenerated into a
| strife, which means nothing more than
| the useless sacrifice of human life and
| the utter destruction OF that very sub
| ject matter of the conflict, a situation
will be presented in which our obliga-
| lions to the sovereignty of Spain will be
superseded by higher obligations which
we can hardly hesitate to recognize and
| discharge"
In my annual message to congress, In
| December last, speaking to this question,
| said: THE near future viii demon
strate whether the indispensable con-
| dition of a righteous peace. just alike
| to the Cubans and to Spain, as well as
| equitable to all our interests so init
mately involved in the welfare of Cuba.
| is likely to be attained. IL not, the ex-
| igency OF further and other action by the
United States will remain 10 be taken.
When that time comes that action viii
be determined in the line of indisputable
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 con-
hded to 1t the protection of their inter-
ests and honor and to humanity.
Sure of the right, keeping free from all
offense ourselves. aetuated only by up
right and patriotic considerations,
moved neither by passion or selfishness.
the government will continue its watch
full care over the rights and property of
American citizens and will abate none
of its efforts to bring about by peaceful
agencies a peace which shall be honora-
bic and enduring. If 1t shall hereafter
appear to be a duty imposed by our obli-
cation to ourselves. to civilization and
humanity. to intervene with force, /.
shall be without fault on our part ano
only because the necessity for such &C
ton 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 war can
not be attained. The fire of instruction
may flame or shoulder with varying sea-
sons. but II has not been, and II is plain
that 1t cannot be, extinguished by pres
ent methods. The only hope of relief
and repose from a condition which can
no longer be endured is the enforced pa
cification of Cuba. In the name of hui
manity. in the name of civilization, in
behalf of endangered American interests.
which give us the right and the duty to
act, the war in Cuba must stop.
In view OF these facts, of these consid-
crations. / ask the congress to authorize
and empower the president to take
measures to secure a full and final ter
mination Of hostilities between the gov
eminent of Spain and the people of
Cuba. and TO secure in the island the es-
adjustment of a stable government ca
pable of maintaining order and observ-
ing its International obligations, insur-
ing peace and tranquility and the Sc
curity Of its citizens as well as our own.
and to use the military and naval forces
of the United States as may be neces-
sary for these purposes.
And, in the interest of humanity and
to aid in preserving the lives Of the
starving people of the island, / recon-
mend that the distribution of food and
supplies be continued, and that an APP
preparation be made out of the public |
treasury to supplement the charity of |
our citizens.
The issue is now with the congress. 1t |
is a solemn responsibility. l have ex-
hausted every effort to relieve the intol- |
cradle condition of affairs which is at |
our doors. Prepared to execute every |
obligation imposed upon me by the con-
stitution and the law, 1 await your ac-
tion.
Yesterday and since the preparation of /
the foregoing message, official Informal
ton was received by me that the latest
decree of the queen regent OF Spain d.
reefs General Blanco. in order to pre-
pare and facilitate peace. to proclaim
suspension of hostilities. the duration of |
which have not yet been communicated
r~l-r g.