Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-14

IL.
desire for peace and prosperity in
Cuba, untarnished by differences be-
tween us and Spain and unstained by
the blood of American citizens. The
forcible intervention of the United
States as a neutral, to stop the war,
according to the large dictates of hu-
manity and following many historical
presidents where neighboring states
have interfered to check the hopeless
sacrifice of life by internecine con-
fiicts beyond their borders is Unsuitable
on rational grounds. 1t involves. how
ever, hostile constraint upon both the
parties TO the contest as well to en-
force a truce as to guide the eventual
settlement. The grounds for such in
tervention may be briefly summarized
as follows:
"tIrst-In the calse of humanity
and to put an end to the barbarities,
bloodshed, starvation and horrible mis-
cries now existing there, and which
the parties to the conflict are either
unable or unwilling to stop or miti-
gate. 1t is no answer to say this is
all in another country, belonging to
another nation and is therefore none
Of our business. 1t is specially our
duty, for it is right at our door.
''Second-We owe it to our citizens
in Cuba to afford them that protection
and indemnity for life and property
which no government there can or
Will afford, and to that end to termin-
ate the conditions that deprive them
of legal protection.
"Third-The right TO intervene may
be JUSTIFIED by the very serious INJURY
to commerce, trade and business of
our people and by the wanton destruc-
island.
'Fourth-And which is of the ut
most Importance: The present condi-
ton of affairs in Cuba is a constant
menace 20 our peace, and entails upon
this government an enormous expense.
With such a conflict waged for years
in an island SO near us and with which
our people have such trade and bust
ness relations-When the lives and
liberty of our citizens are in constant
danger and their property destroyed
and themselves ruined-Where our
trading vessels are liable to seizure
and are seized at our very doors, by
Warships Of other nations, the expedi
tions of filibustering that we are
powerless to prevent altogether, and
the irritating questions and entangle-
ments thus arising-all these and
others that I need not mention, with
the resulting strained relations, are a
constant menace to our peace and i'm
pels us to keep on semiwar footing
with a nation with which we are at
peace.
These elements of danger and dis
order already pointed out have been
strikingly illustrated by tragic event
which has deeply and justly moved the
American people. have already trans
mitted to congress the report of the
naval court of inquiry ON the destruc-
ton of the battleship Maine in the har-
Dor of Havana. The destruc-
ton of that noble vessel filled the ma
tional heart with inexpressible horror
Two hundred and ffty-eight brave
sailors and marines and two officers of
our navy, reposing in the fancied Sc
curity of friendly harbor, have been
hurled to death, grief and want
/; brought to their homes and sorrow to
the nation. The naval court of in
qulry, was unanimous in it's
conclusion that the destruction of the
Maine was caused by an exterior ex-
plosion, that of a submarine mine. 1t
did not assume to place the RESPONSE
bility. That remains to be fixed. In
any event, the destruction of the
Maine, by whatever cause, is a 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 assure safety and security to a
vessel of the American navy in the
harbor of Havana on a mission of
peace and rightfully there. Further
referring in this connection to recent
diplomatic correspondence, a dispatch
from our minister to Spain, of the
26th ult., contained the statement
that the Spanish minister for foreign
affairs assured him positively that
Spain will do all that the highest hon
or and justice require in the matter of
the Maine. The reply above referred
to of the 31st ult. also contained an ex-
preston of the readiness of Spain to
SI1bn1it tO arbitration all tho differ
ences which can arise in this matter,
which is subsequently explained by the
note of the Spanish minister at Wash
ington of the 10th inst. as follows: AS
to the question of fact which springs
from the diversity of views between
the American and Spanish reports,
Spain proposes that the fact be ascer-
tanned by an impartial investigation
by experts, which decision Spain &C
cepts in advance To this | have
made no reply.
After quoting President Grant in
1875 and later President Cleveland in
favor of possible Intervention, Mr..
Mckinley says:
'The long trial has proved that the
object for which Spain has waged the j
war cannot be attained. The fire of !
insurrection may fame or may
shoulder with varying seasons, but it !
has not been and it is plain that it |
cannot be eXtinguished by present
methods. The only hope of relief and
repose from condition which cannot
1ouoo ba andrpcd ic tho on forood Y1ooi |