The Springfield herald., 1898-04-15

United States minister at Madrid,
propositions to the Spanish govern
ment, looking 10 an armistice until DC
toDer list, for the negotiation or peace
win the good offices of the President.
In addition. l asked the immediate re-
vocation of the order Of recommendation
80 FAR as to permit the people to re-
turn to their farms and the needy to
be relieved with provisions and sup
plies from the United States, co-operat-
ing with the Spanish authorities so as
to afford full relief.
The reply of Spain offering to leave
peaceful settlement TO the Cuban Par
lament was received March 31st. This
parliament meets May 4th, and in the
meantime the Spanish government of
Tered temporary armistice provided
1t were asked for by the insurgents.
The proposition submitted by General
Woodford and the reply to the Spanish
government We're both in the form of
brief memoranda. The function of the
Cuban Parliament in the matter of
preparing" peace and the manner of
us doing so are not expressed in the
Spanish memorandum.
1t is understood that the Spanish
government stands ready to give the
insular Congress full power to settle
the terms of peace with the insurgents
either by direct negotiation or indi-
rectly by means of legislation does not
appear.
No reply was sent to the Spanish
note. With this last overture for i'm
mediate peace and its disappointing
reception by Spain, the executive was
brought to the end of its efforts.
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 expires
sion of the readiness of Spain to submit
to an arbitration all the differences
which can arise in this matter.
President Grants Cuban message in
1875; President Cleveland's last annual
message and President McKinley's own
annual message of last year are quot
ed. In this message he said that
peaceful efforts failing. intervention
would be the right and duty of this
government.
i he message then continues:
The only hope of relief and reposc
from Il condition which can no longer
be endured is the enforced pacitication
of Cuba. In the name of humanity, in
the name of civilization. in behalf 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 these con-
SiderationS. | ask the Congress TO au-
thoriZe and empower the President to
take measures to secure full and
final termination of hostilitics between
the government of Spain and the pe0-
pie of Cuba. and 10 secure i'll the island
the establishment of stable govern
ment. and recognizing its intcrnationn'
character and tranquility and the So
curity of its citizens, rs well rs orr
own. and TO Use the military and naval
forces of the United States rs may be
necessary for these purposes.
And in the interest of humanity and
to aid in preserving the lives of the
starving people of the island. | recon-
mend that the distribution of food and
clothing be continued until peace b.
secured. and that an appropriation he
made out of the public treasury to SUP
plement the charity of our citizens.
The issue is now with the Congress.
1t is a solemn responsibility. l hav2
exhausted every effort to relieve the
intolerable condition of affairs which Is
at our doors.
Prepared to execute every obligation
imposed upon me by the constitution
and the law, II ait your action.
Yesterday and since the preparation
of the foregoing message official in
formation was received by me that the
latest decree of the queen regent of
| Spain directs General Blanco in order
to prepare and facilitate peace. to pro;
claim n suspension of hostilites, tho
duration and details of which have not
yet been communicated to me.
| This fact. with every other consider
alton will. | am sure. have your just
and careful attention. in the solemn de
liberation upon which you are about tc
enter.
If this measure attains successful
result. then our aspirations rs Chris
tian, peace-loving people will be real
lied.
If it fails, it will only be another
justification for our contemplated
action.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
Executive Mansion, April IL, 1898.
At 1880 o'clock the reading of the
message was concluded in the Senate
Mr.. Davis then moved that the mes
sage be referred to the foreign rcla
| tions committee.
This was carried, and the Senate, al
1:15 o'clock, adjourned.
Applause followed the close of the
reading of the message in the House
The message was referred at once tt
the committee on foreign relations.
LEE LEAVES HAVANA.
| Accompanied by the Last Americans-In'
suited on the Streets.