Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-04-14

not HeetSSuIy Ill 10
United States to Intervene and pacify
the island. 10 commit this country
now to the recognition of any particu-
lnr government In Cuba might subject
us to embarrassing conditions of inter-
national obligation towards the or
ganizatlOn so recognized. In case of
intervention our conduct would be sub
ject to the approval or disapprOvnl of
such government, and we would be re-
Quired to submit to It's direction and to
assume to 1t the more than relation of
friendly ally.
There remain the alternative forms
OF Intervention to end the war, either
as an impartial neutral by imposing
rational compromise between the con-
testants. or as the active ally Of the
one party or the other.
AS to the first IL Is not to be forgot
ten that during the last few months
the relations of the United States has
virtually been one of friendly inter-
vcntion In many ways, each effort of
itself being conclusive, but all tend
ing TO the eNcrtion of II potential infiu-
ence toward an ultimate pacific result
just and honorable to all interests con-
ccrned. The spirit of all our acts hith-
erto has been earnest. unseliish desire
for peace and prosperity In Cuba. I'M
furnished by differences between the
United States and Spain and unstaincd
by the blood of American citizens.
The forcible intervention of the
United States rs Il neutral nation to
stop the war. according to the larger
dictates of humanity and following
many historical precedents where
neighboring states have interfered to
check the hopeless sacrifice of life by
conflicts beyond their borders, Is justi-
fable on u rational ground. 1t In
wolves. however. cOhsiraint upon both
tho parties to the contest ms well rs to
enforce truce as to guide the event
ual settlement. The grounds for such
intervention may be briefly summar-
lied as follows:
First-In the cause of humanity and
to put an end to the barbarities, blood
shed. starvation and horrible miseries
now existing there. and which the. par
ties to the conflict are either unable or
unwilling to stop or mitigate. 1t Is no
answer to say that this Is all In anoth-
er country. belonging to another ma
ton. and Is therefore, none of our bus
iness. 1t is especially our duty. for 1t
Is right at our door.
Second-We owe 1t to our citizens
In Cuba to afford them that protection
and Indemnity for life and property
which no government there can or
will afford.
Third-The right to intervene may be
justified by the very serious injury to
the commerce. trade and business of
our people and by the wanton destruc-
tion of property and devastation of the
island.
Fourth-And which is the most I'M
portant: The present condition of af-
fairs Is constant menace to our
peace and entails upon this govern
ment an enormous expense.
With such n conflict waged for years
in the island so near us and with
which our people have trade and busi-
ness relntions-whcn the lives and lib
crty of our citizens are In constant
danger and their property and them
selves ruined-when our trading ves-
sells are liable to seizure and are seized
mt our very dsor, by warships of n for
eign nation. the expeditions of filibus-
terlng. that we are powcrless to pre-
vent altogether. and the irritating
questions and entanglements thus aris-
ing-nll these and others that l need
not mention with the resulting strained
relations. are constant menace to
our peace and compels IFS to keep OH
semi-war footing with the nation
with which we are at peace.
uoSe VI tlunSeT huu
der already pointed out have been
strikingly illustrated by tragic event
which has deeply and justly moved
the American people. l have already
transmitted to Congress the report of
the naval court of inquiry on the de-
struction of the battleship Maine in
the harbor OF Havana during the night
of the 18th of February. The destruc-
ton of that noble vessel ha. filled the
national heart with ineXpressnble hor-
ror. Two hundred and fifty brave
sailors and marines and two officers of
our navy, reposng 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.
Is needless to say. commands the un-
qualified confidence of the government
was unanimous in its conclusion that
the destruction of the Maine was calls-
ed by an exterior explosion. that of Il
submarine 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 n patent and impressive proof of
state of things in Cuba that is intol-
cradle.
That condition is thus shown to be
such that the Spanish government can
not assure safety to vessel in the Ha-
vnna harbor on II mission CT peace and
rightfully there.
Further referring in this connection
to recent diplomatic correspondence. n
dispatch from our minister to Spain
of the 26th ultimO, contained the state
ment that the Spanish minister for for
eign 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 on the
31st ultimo also contained an express
sion of the readiness of Spain to submit
to an arbitration all the differences
which cnn arise. in this matter, which
Is subsequently explained by the note
of tho Sua niSh ulinis.tn rt