Mexico weekly ledger., 1898-04-14
WHAT PRESIDENT GRANT SAID.
Mediation and Intervention the Only
Measures Possible,

Measures Possible.
President Grant, in 1875. after dis
cussing the phases of the contest as it
then appeared, and its hopeless and APP
parent indefinite prolongation. said:
'In such event, I am Of the opinion
that other nations will be compelled to
assume the responsibility which de-
wolves upon them, and to seriously
consider the only remaining measures
INSTRUMENTATION and Intervention.
Owing, perhaps, to the large expanse
of water separating the island from the
peninsula, the contesting parties ap-
pear to have within themselves 40 de-
pository OF common confidence to sug-
gest wisdom when passion and excite
ment have their sway, n assume the
part of -peacemaker. In this view, fn
the earlier days of the contest the goc6
offices of the United States as a medf-
ator were rendered in good faith, with
out any selfish purpose, in the interest
of humanity and in sincere friendship
for both parties, but were at the time
declined by Spain with the declaration
nevertheless that at a 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 continues with all
its dreadful horrors and all its injuries
to the interests of the United States
and of other nations. Each party Gems
quite capable of working great injury
and damage to the other. as well as to
all the relations and interests depend
emit on the existence Of peace in the
island; but they seem incapable of
reaching any adjustment, and both
have thus far failed of achieving any
success whereby one party shall pos
sess and control the island to the exclu-
sion of the other. Under the circum-
stances the agency of others, either
by mediation or by intervention, seems
to be the only alternative which must,
n or later, be nvoked for the ter
mination of the strife"
In the last annual message of my i'm.
mediate predecessor during the pending
struggle 1t was said:
when the inability of Spain to deal
successfully with the Instruction has
become manifest, and 1t is demonstrat-
ed that her sovereignty is extinct in
Cuba for all purposes Of its rfghtful ex-
~istence, and when a hopeless struggle
for its re-establishment has ~degenerat-
ed into a strife which means nothing
more than the useless sacrifice of hu-
man life and the utter destruction of
the very subject matter of the conflict,
a situation will be presented in which
our obligations to the sovereignty of
Spain will be superseded by higher OBJ
legations, which we can hardly hesitate
to recognize and discharge"
In my annua message to congress.
December last, speaking on this ques-
ton, I said:
The near future will demonstrate
whether the indispensable condition of
a righteous peace, just alike to the Gu
| bans and to Spain, as well as equitable
to our interests, 50 intimately involved
in the welfare of Cuba, is likely to be
attained. If not, the exigency of fur
Their and other action by the United
States will remain to be taken. When
that time that action win be de-
termined in the line of indisputable
right and duty. 1t will be faced without
misgiving or hesitancy in the light o.
the obligation this government owes &c
itself, to the people who ave confided
to 1t the protection of their interests
| and honor, and to humanity.
Sure Of the right, keeping free from
all effense ourselves, actuated only by
upright and patriotic considerations
moved neither by passion nor selfish
ness, the government will continue Its
watchful care over the rights and prop.
| erty of American citizens. and viii
| abate non of its efforts to bring abou'
by peaceful agencies a peac which
shall be honorable and enduring. If i
shall hereafter appear to be a duty i'm
| posed by our obligations to ourselves
to civilization and humanity to inter
vene with force. it shall be without
fault on our part n only because tn
| necessity for such action VIII be sc
clear as to command the support and
approval of the civilized world"