The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-12-06
Exhaustive Document. Touching Principally on the Spanish
War, Submitted to Congress Upon the Assem-
bling Of the Fifty-Ilfth Session
THE FEATURES Of THE LATE DIFFICULTY
AND CAUSES LEADING TO 1T RESUMED
The President Makes No Recommendation Manner Of ooysss
Our EswPosseso but nmas That Up the Subject
After the Peace MgOtstIOns cOncuded-Forsign RsI.
tiOns Are satlsfsstOry-The Anne1stlOp Of Hawaii,


and horror Of which stirred the nation.
heart profoundly. II is striking evil
dence of.ths poise and sturdy good sepss
distinguishing our national characier
that this shocking blow. falling upon a
generous people. already deeply touebed
bi preceding events In Cuba did not move
them 10 desperate resolve TO tolerate M
longer the existence of a condition az
danger and disorder NJ our doors that
made possible such a deed by whomso-
ever wrought Yet the instinct OF Justice
prevailed and the nation anxiousiy
awaited the result Of the searching in
vestgaliGn at once set on foot. The
finding OF the naval board Of inquiry es-
tablshed that the origin Of the exploslon
was external by a submarine mine. and
only halted through Jack or positive tes-
timony TO hx the responsibility OF its
authorship.
All these things carried conviction 10
the most thoughtful. even before the
hnding OF the naval court. that a, crisis
In our relations with Spain and toward
Cuba were at hand. So strong was this
belief that Il needed but brief executive
suggestion TO the congress 70 receive i'm
mediate answer to the duty OF making
instant provision for the possible and
perhaps speedy emergency OF war.
ana the remarkable. almost unique
spectacle was presented OF a unanimous
vote OF both houses on the eth OF March
appropriatinS fifty million dollars. ..for
the national defense and for each and
every purpose connected Herewith. 10
De expended at the discretion OF The
president"
That this act OF provision came none
too soon was disclosed when the apnli.
cation OF the fund was undertaken. Our
torts were practically undefended; our
navy needed large provision for Increased
ammunition and supplies. and even num-
Oers to cope with any attack from the
navy OF Spain, which comprised modern
vessels OF the highest type off continental
perfection. Our army also required en-
iargement OF men and munitions. The
details OF the hurried preparations
for the decided contingency is told IN
the reports OF the secretaries OF war
ana or the navy, and need not be re-
peated here. II Is sufficient 10 say thar
the outbreak Of war, when II did come.
found our nation not unprepared to meet
the conflict. nor was the apprehension OF
coming strife confined to our own coun-
try. 1t was felt by the contingent now
ers. which. on April 9Th. through their
ambassadors and envoys, addressed TO the
executive an expression of hope that hu-
manity and moderation might mark the
course Of this government and peooIe
and that further negotiations would lead
TO an attempt which, while securing the
maintenance OF peace. would affirm all
necessary guarantees for the re-estab-
lissmeat OF order In Cuba. In respond
ing to that presentation 1 also shared the
hope that the envOys had expressed. that
peace might be preserved in a manner
to terminate the chronic condition Of dis
turbanee in Cuba, so injurious and men,
acing TO our interests and tranquility.
as well as shocking TO our sentiments
OF humanity; and while approaching the
humanitarian and disinterested charac-
ter OF the communication they had adopt
ed on behalf OF the powers. II had stated
the confidence of this government on its
part that equal appreciation would be
shown for its earnest and unselfsh en-
deavors to fulhll duty of humanity by
ending situation, the indefinite prolon-
CATION Of which had become insufferable.
Still animated by the hope OF peace
ful solution and obeying the dictates Of |
dutyno effort was relaxed to bring about |
a speedy ending OF the Cuban struggle. |
Negotiations to this effeot confirmed |
actively with the government OF Spain.
looking to the immediate conclusion OF |
slx-months' armistlce in Cuba with n |
view to effect the recognition Of her peo- |
pies right to independence. Besides |
this, the instant revocation of the order |
Of Recommendation was asked. so that the
sufferers, returning to their homes and |
aided by united American and Spanish |
EFFORT. might be put In way to support
themselves and by orderly resumption of |
the well-nigh productive energies OF the |
island, contribute to the restoration of |
its tranquility and well being. Nego- I
tations continued for some little time az /
Madrid, resulting in offers by the Spanish |
government which could not but be re- |
N.NNN 80 tANVNNdabNs ~ WIS pIOnOSeQ 10 1
eoniide the preparations of peace to the |
insular parliament, yet to be convened |
under the autonomist DEGREES of Novem-
ber, 1897, but without impairment in any |
wise of the constitutional powers Of the |
Madrid government. which to that end |
would grant an armlstice, II solicited
by the insurgents, for such time as the |
general in chief might see fit to fix. How |
and with what scope of discretionary
powers the insular parliament was ex-
pected to set about the preparation"
for peace did not appear, II it was to be |
by negotiation with the Insurgents, the |
issue seemed to rest on the side with |
a body chosen by that faction of the
electors In the districts under Spanish |
control, and on the other, with the in
surgent population heading the interior
country unrepresented In the so-caued !
parliament, and defiant at the sugges-
ton OF suing for peace.
INTERVENTION RESOLVED ON.
Grleved and disappointed at this bar |
rem outcome of my sincere endeayors to |
reach practicable solution, felt 1t my |
duty to remit the whole question to con- |
gress. In the message Of April IL. 1898. |