The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-12

contest. the good offices OF the Uniteo
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 paStics. but
were at the time declined by Spnin. with
the declaration. nevertheless. that at
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 It's dread horrors and all
its injuries 20 the interests OF the United
States and OF other nations. Each
party seems quite capable OF working
great injury and damage to the other
az well as TO all the relations and inter-
ests dependent 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 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 Nor later.
be invoked for the termination of the
strife"
In the last annual message of my i'm
mediate predecessor. during the pending
struggle. IL was said:
when the inability OF Spain TO deal
successfully with the insurrection has
become manifest and II 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-
tions TO the sovereignty OF Spain will be
superseded by higher obligations which
We can hardly hesitate to recognize and
discharge" .ft
In my annual message to congress. in
December lust, speaking to this question.
/ said: The near future will demon
stratc 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 30 inti-
mately involved in the welfare of Cuba.
Is likely to be attained. II not, the ex-
igency OF further and other action by the
United States will remain to be taken
When that time comes that action will
be determined In the line OF indisputable
right and duty. IT will be faced without
mlsgiving or hesitancy In the light OF
the obligation this government owes
10 ITSELF to the people who have con-
nded to II the protection OF their inter-
ests and honor and to humanity.s
Sure OF the right. keeping free from all
offense ourselves. actuated only by up,
right and patriotic considerations,
moved neither by passion or seihshness.
the government will continue its watch
ful 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-
BILE and enduring. IL II shall hereafter
appear to be a duty imposed by our obli-
cation to ourselves, to civilization and
humanity, to intervene with force, IL
rhall be without fault on our part and
only because the necessity for such ac-
ton will be so clear as to command the
support and approval Of the civilized
world"
The long trisS has proved that the OBJ
tect for which Spain has waged war can
not be attained. The fire of insurrection
may flame or shoulder with varying sea-
sons, but it has not been, and II is plain
that 1t cannot be. extfvsuished by pres
ent methods. The only hope OF relief
and repose from a condition which can
no longer be endured In the enforced pa
cification Of Cuba. In the name of hu-
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 flnal ter
mination OF hostilities between the gov
ernment of Spain and the people OF
Cuba, and to secure in the island the es-
tablishment 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, I recon-
mend that the distribution Of food and
supplies be continued, and that an ap-
pfOpIldtlOn pe maze out OF the puDllc
treasury to supplement the charity OF
our citizens.
The issue is now with the congress. 1t
Is a solemn responsibility. 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, await your ac-
tion.
Yesterday and since the preparation OF
the foregoing message, official informa-
tion was received by me that the latest
decree OF the queen regent OF Spain d.
rects General Blanco. in order to pre-
pare and facilitate peace. to proclaim a
suspension of hostilities, the duration of
which have not yet been communicated
to me. This fact with every other per-
tinent consideration, will, I am sure,
have your just and careful attention In
the solemn deliberations upon which you
are about to enter. III this measure at
tains successful result. then our aspir-
10 a