The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-12-10
SPAIN AND CUBA.
A Resume OF the Conditions which
Led Up 20 the War.

Led Up to the war.
In my last annual message very full con
sIderation was given to the question OF
the duty OF the government OF the United
States toward Spain and the cuban IN
surrection as being by far the most Inn
portant problem with which we were theh
called upon to deal The considerations
thru advanced and the exposition OF the
.yievh therein expressed disclosed my
Aof the extreme gravity OF the stu
alton. Setting aside. as Logically uh-
founded or practically inadmisslDle. inc
.ecognifion Of the independence OF Cuba,
neutrai Intervention to end the war by im-
posing n rational compromise between me
contestants, Intervention IN favor OF . Qne
or the other party, and forcible annexation
OF the island, | concluded II was honestly
due to our friendly relations with SPAN
that she should be given ,ie,ls ~ re-
chance to realize her expectations OF t.
form TO which she had become rreNocaDy
committed. Within a Few weeks previous
" she had announced comprehensive plans.
Which IL was confidently asserted would
be efIicacious 10 remedy the evils SO deep
ly affecting our own country, 50 injurious
"a The true interests OF the mother country
AS well as 70 those of Cuba, anu so fepuB-
nant TO the universal sentiment OF hu-
The ensuing month brought little sign OF
real progress toward the pacticauon OF
Cuba The autonomous administration set
up in the capital and some OF the prin-
cipal cities appeared not TO gain the FAVOR
OF the Inhabitants nor TO be able TO extend
ritory held by the insurgents while the
military arm, obviously unable 10 cope
with the still active rebellion. continued
many OF the most Objectionable and often
Bive policies OF the government that hnu
preceded IL. No tangible reliei was al
forded the vast numbers OF unhappy re-
concentrates despite the reiterated pro-
feasions made In that regard and the
amount appropriated by spain 70 That
end The profercd cxpcdient or zones or
cultivation proved illusory; indeed, no less
practical nor more dSluslNe promises oi
succor could well have been rendered 70 The
exhausted and destitute people, stripped Of
oil that made life and homo dear ana
herdcd In strange region among unsym-
pathetic strangers hardly less neccssitous
than themselves
The war continued on the old footing
without comprehensive plan, developing
only the same spasmodlc encounters, bars
rem OF strategic result, that had marked the
course OF the earlier ten years rebellion as
well as the present nsurrcction from rs
start. No alternative save physical cX-
hauston OF either combalaht anu lhe r..
withal the practical ruin OF the island la
IN sight, but how far distant no one could
venture 10 conjecture.
Destruction Of the Maine.
AZ this juncture. on the 18th OF Febru.
airy last, occurred the destruction or the
battieship Maine. while rightfully lying In
the harbOr OF Havana on a mission OF In
ternational courtesy and good villa
catastrophe the suspicious nature and hor.
ror OF which stirred the nations heart pro-
foundiy. 10 ~ a striking evidence or IN,
poisc and sturdy good sense distinguishing
our national character that this shockinl
blow falling upon 2 generous people, al AZ
READY UetlN tOutnfu NN preceding tNtNli
in Cuba, did not move them TO un instant
desperate resolve 60 tolerate no longer tn
existence OF n condition % danger and dis
order at our doors that made possible sucl
a deed by whomsocvcr wrought Yet tn
instinct OF Justice prevailed and the natioi
anxiously awaited thcroxult % the search
ing Investigation az once set on foot. 1hi
finding OF the naval board OF Inquiry estab
lished that the origin OF the explosion wa
external by a suhmafinc mine, and onl.
halted through lack OF positive tostimon
60 fix the responsibility ~ rs authorship.
Action OF Congress.
An these things carried conviction 20 IN
most thoughtful, even before the nndin
OF the naval court. that a Crisis IN our re
latious with Spain toward Cuba was a
needed but bricf executive suFges
tion 20 the congress 20 receive -imms
date answer TO the duty % making instan
provision for the possible and pcrhar
speedily probable emergency of war, and th
remarkable, almost unique, spectacle wa
presented or q unanimous vote OF bQt
houses on the 9th OF March. appropriate
ti0.O GOO 'fOr the national deff uStAand 70
each aud every purpose connected there
with. TO be expended AT tho discretion
The president" That this act OF proNisiQ
came none TOO soon was disclosed Mn s y, "
application % the fund was undeft AXE
our forts were practically unattended 90
navy needed large provision tor increase
ammunition and supplies, Gnu even nun
hers 10 cope with any sudden attack fro
me navy of spain, which comprised mo-
err vessels OF the highest type 81 cons
mental perfection. our army also feqn..rr,,
enlargement Of men and munitions
details Of The hurried preparation Tor "
dreaded CONTINGENCY Is told IA the repor
OF the ffcretaflea OF war ana Or the nav
ana need not be repeated here ~,
Client % say that the outbreak of \
unpfepared 10 meet the conflict