Evening star., 1898-12-05
7 H { M { S S A G E
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the insular parliament was expected to set
about the preparation of peace did not
| appear. If it were to be by negotiation
with the insurgents, the, issue seemed to
| rest on the one side with a body chosen by
fraction of the electors in the districts
| under Spanish control, and on the other
| with the insurgent population holding the
interior country, unrepresented in the So
called parliament, and defiant at the sug-
gestion of suing for peace.
Formal Declaration of War
Grieved and disappointed at this barren
outcome of my sincere endeavors to reach
practicable solution, l felt it my duty to
remit the whole question to the Congress.
| In the message of April IL, 1898, l an
nounced 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. l again reviewed the alternative
courses of action which had been proposed,
concluding that the only one consonant
with international policy and compatible
with our firm-set historical traditions 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 a truce as to
guide the eventual settlement" The
grounds justifying that step were, the in
terests of humanity; the duty to protect the
life and property of our citizens in 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
government by the uncertainties and perils
of the situation caused by the uncomfortable
disturbance in Cuba. 1 said:
The long trial has proved that the object
for which Spain has waged the war cam
not be attained. The fire of insurrection
may flame or may smolder with varying
seasons, but 1t 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 pacification of
Cuba. In the name of humanity, in the
name of civilization, in behalf of endanger-
ed American interests which give US the
| right and the 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 Presi-
dent to take measures to secure a full and
final termination of hostiities between
Spain and the people of Cuba and to Sc
cure in the Island the establishment of
stable government, capable of maintaining
order and observing its international obli-
cations, insuring peace and tranquility, and
the security of it's citizens well oui
own, and for the accomplishment of tiIost
ends to use the military and naval forces
of the United States might be necessary
with added authority to continue generous
relief to the starving people of Cuba.
The response of the Congress, after nine
days of earnest deliberation, during which
the almost unanimous sentiment of your
body was developed on every point save as
to the expediency of coupling the proposed
action with formal recognition of thz Re
public of Cuba as the true and lawful GOV
ernment of that Island-a proposition
which failed of adoption-the Congress, af-
ter conference, on the 10Th of April by
vote of ~ to 80 in the Senate and 81 to e
in the House of Representatives, passed
the memorable joint resolution declaring
First. That the people of the Island OF
Cuba are, and of right ought to be, free and
independent.
Second. That it is the duty of the United
States to demand, and the Government Of
the United States does hereby deman1, thai
the Government of Spain at once elinquish
It's authority and government 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 he hereby is. dire :-e1 ard
empowered to use the entire land and naval
forces of the United States. and 20 cali
into the actual service of the United States
the militia of the several States to such
extent as may be necessary to carry these
resolutions into effect.
Fourth That the United States hereby
disclaims any disposition intention to
exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control
over said Island except for the pacifica tion
thereof, and asserts its determination when
that is accomplished to leave the govern
ment and control of the Island to its peo-
pie.
Passports to Spanish Minister.
This resolution was approved by the Ex-
ecutive on the next 0ay, April 20th. A copy
was at once communicated to the Spanish
Minister at this capital, who forthwith an
nounced that his continuance in Washing
ton had thereby become impossible, and
asked for his passports, which We're given
him. He thereupon withdrew from Wash
ington, leaving the protection of Spanish
interests in the United States to the French
Ambassador and the Austro-H HmgarIan
Minister. simultaneously with its COM
munication to the Spanish Minister here
General Woodford, the American Minister
at Madrid. was telegraphed confirmation of
the text of the joint resolution and directed
to communicate it to the Government If
Spain with the formal demand that it at
once relinqush its authority and govern
ment in the Island of Cuba and withdraw
its forces therefrom, coupling this demand
with announcement of the intentions of this
Government as to the future of the Island
in conformity with the fourth clause of the
resolution, and giving SPAN Until noon of
April 23d to reply.
That demand although, above shown
officially made known to the Spanish envoy
here was not delivered at Madrid After
the instruction reached General Woodford
on the morning of April 21st, but before
he could present it, the Spanish Minister
of State notified him that upon the Presi-
dents approval of the joint resolution the
Madrid Government, regarding the act as