The times., 1898-04-12

fled confidence of the Government. was
unanimous in its conclusion that the des-
truction of the Maine" was caused by
an exterior explosion, that of q sub
marine mine. 1t did not assume TO place
the responsibility That remains to be
fixed
In any event the destruction of the
Maine" by whatever exterior cause, is
patent and impressive proof of a state
of things in Cuba that is intolerable.
That condition is thus shown to be such
that the Spanish government cannot as
sure safety and security to a vessel of
the American Navy in the harbor of Ha-
vana on mission of peace, and right
fully there.
Further referring in this connection to
recent diplomatic correspondence a dis
patch from our minister to Spain, of the
26th ultimo, contained the statement that
the Spanish minister of foreign affairs as
sured him positively that Spain will do
all that the highest honor and justice re-
quire in the matter of the Maine The
reply above referred to of the 31st ultimo
also contained an expression of the readi-
ness of Spain to submit to an arbitration
all the differences which can arise in this
matter, which is substantially explained
by the note of the Spanish minister at
Washington of the 10th inst, as follows:
''As to the question of fact which springs
from the diversity of views between the
report of the American and Spanish
boards, Spain proposes that the fact be
ascertained by an impartial investigation
by experts whose decision Spain accepts
in advance"
To this l have made no reply.
President Grant, in 1875, after discussing
the phases of the contest as 1t then ap-
peared, and its hopeless and apparent In
definite prolongation, said:
Grant Again Cited.
In such event l am of opinion that other ma
tions will be compelled to assume the response
biity which devolves upon them, and to Sc
riously consider the only remaining measures pos
sible-mediation and Intervention. Owing, per-
haps, to the large expanse OF water separating
the island from the peninsula, the contend
ing parties appear to have within themselves
no depository of common confidence, to suggest
wisdom when passion and excitement have their
sway; and to assume the part of peacemaker. In
this view, in the earlier days OF the contest the
good Offices of the United States mediator
were rendered in good faith, without 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 had been
-, all
its dread horrors, and all its injuries to the in
terests of the United States and of other
tions. Each party seems quite capable of work
ing great injury and damage to the other, as well
as to all relations and interests 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 sue
cess whereby one party shall possess and control
the island 10 the exclusion of the other. Under
the circumstances, the agency of others, either
by mediation or by intervention, seems to be the
only alternative 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 success
fully with the insurrection has become manifest,
and it is demonstrated that her sovereignty is
extinct IN tuDa lOf an purposes OF IlS IlBnt-
ful existence, and when a hopeless struggle for
its re-establishmbent has degenerated into strife
which means nothing more than the useless sacri-
fee OF human life and the utter destruction of
the very subject-matter OF the conflict, a situ-
alton will be presented in which obliga-
tions to the sovereignty of Spain viii be super
seded by higher obligations, and which we can
hardly hesitate to recognize and discharge.
The Hour Has Come.
In my annual message to Congress, De-
cember last, speaking to this question, L
said:
"The near future will demonstrate
whether the Indispensable condition of
righteous peace. just alike to the Cubans
and to Spain as well as equitable to all
our interests so intimately involved in
the welfare of Cuba, is likely to be at
tanned. If not, the eXigency 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 indsputabIe right and duty.
1t viii be faced, without misgiving or
hesitancy in the light of the obligation
this Government owes to itself, to the
people who have conlided to it the protec-
ton of their interests and honor and to
humanity
Sure of the right, keeping free from all
offense ourselves, actuated only by up
right and patriotic considerations, moved
neither by passion nor selfishness, the
Government will continue it's watchful
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 honorable
and enduring. If it shall hereafter ap-
pear to be a duty imposed by our obliga-
tons to ourselves. to civilization and hui
manity to intervene with force, it shall be
without fault on our part, and only be-
cause the necessity for such action will
be so clear as to command the support
and approval of the civilized world
The long trial has proved that the sub
Ject for which Spain has waged the war
cannot be attained. The fire of insurrec-
ton may flame or may shoulder with va
rying seasons, but it has not been and
it is plain that it cannot be eXtinguished
by present methods. The only hope of re-
lief and repose from a condition which
can no longer be endured is the enforced
pacifcatlon of Cuba. In the name of hu-
manity, in the name of civilization, in be-
half of endangered American interests
which give us the right and the duty to
speak and to act, the war in Cuba must
stop.
In view of these facts and of these con-
siderations, l ask the Congress TO au-
thorize and empower the President to take
measures to secure a full and final termi-
nation of hostilities between the govern
ment of Spain and the people of Cuba. and
to secure in the island the establishment
of a stable government capable of main
tanning order and observing it's interna-
tional obligations, ensuring peace and
tranquility and the security of it's citizens
as well our own, and to use the mill
tary and naval forces of the United States
as may be necessary for these purposes.
IL.