The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-12

the harbor of Havana on mission of peace,
and rightfuily there.
Further referring in this connection to re-
cent diplomatic correspondence, 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 honor and justice require in the
matter of the Maine. The reply above
ferred to of the 31st ult also contained an
expression of the willingness of Spain to
submit to arbitration all the differences
which arise in this matter which has
been subsequently explained by the note of
the Spanish minister at washington of the
10th inst, as follows: GAS 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 investi-
cation by experts whose decision Spain
accepts in ADVANCE To this 1 have made
no reply.
GRANTS VIEW IN 1879.
President Grant, in 1875, after discussing
the phases OF the contest as it then APP
peared, and its hopeless and apparent in
definite prolongation, said: I'm such event
compelled to assume the responsibility
which devolves upon them, and to seriously
consider the only remaining measures pos
sible, mediation and Intervention, owing
perhaps to the large expanse Of water
separating the island from the peninsula.
The contending 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 peace
maker. In this in the earlier days of the
contest, the good offices of the United
States as a mediator We're rendered in good
faith, without any selfish purpose, in the
interest of humanity and in sincere friend
ship for both parties, but were at the time
declined by Spain, with the declaration,
nevertheless, that at future time they
would be indispensable. No indication has
been received that in the opinion of Spain,
that time has been reached. And yet the
strife continues, with all its dread horrors
and all its injuries to the interests of the
United States and of other nations. Each
party seems quite capable of working great
injury and damage to the other, while the
welfare of all the relations and interests
are dependent on the existence of peace in
the island, but they seem incapable Of reach
ing any adjustment and both have thus far
failed of achieving any success whereby one
party shall possess and control the island
to the exclusion of the other. Under these
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 immedi-
limo ar
gle, it was said: when the inability of
Spain to deal successfully with the insur-
rection has become manifest, and it is dem
onstrated that her sovereignty is extinct in
Cuba for all purposes of it's rightful exist
ence, and when hopeless struggle for it's
re-establshment has degenerated into
strife, which means nothing more than the
useless sacrifice of human life and the ut
ter destruction Of the very subject matter
of the conflict, a situation will be pre-
sented in which our obligations to the SOW
ereignty of Spain will be superseded by OBJ
legations which we can hardly hesitate TO
recognize and discharge"
In my annual message to Congress De-
cember last, speaking to this question,
said: "The near future will demonstrate
whether the Indispensable condition of a
righteous peace, just alike to the Cubans
and Spain, as well as equitable to all our
interests, so intimately involved in the well
fare of Cuba is likely to be attained. IL
not the exigency of further and other
action by the United States will remain 10
he taken. When that time comes that
action will be determined in the line of in
disputable right and duty. 1t will be raced
without misgiving or hesitancy in the light
of the obligation this government owes to
itself, to the people who have confided to 1t
the protection of their interests and honor,
and to humanity. Sure of the right, keep
ing free from all offense ourselves, actuated
only by upright and patriotic considerations,
moved neither by passion nor seltishness.
the government will continue its watchful
care over the rights and property of Amer
lean citizens and will abate none of its ef-
forts to bring about, by peaceful agencies,
peace which shall be honorable and endur-
ing. If it shall hereafter appear to be
duty imposed by our obligations to our
selves, to civilization and humanity to in
tervene with force, it shall be without fault
on our part, and only because the necessity
for such action will be so clear as to COM
mand the support and approval of the civ
ilized world"
THE WAR MUST STOP.
The long trial has proved that the object
for which Spain has waged the war cannot
be attained. The fire of insurrection may
flame or may snolder with varying sea-
sons, but it has not been, and it is plain
that it cannot be, extinguished by present
methods. The only hope of relief and re-
pose from a condition which can no longer
be endured is the enforced paciication of
Cuba. In the name of humanity, in the
name of civilization, in behalf of endan-
gered 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 ] ask Congress to authorize
and empower the President to take meas
ures to secure a full and final termination
of hostilities between the government Of
Spain and the people of Cuba, and to Sc
cure in the island the establishment of a
stable government, capable of maintaining
order and observing it's international obliga-
tions. insuring peace and tranquility
and the security Of its citizens,
as well as our own, and TO use the
military and naval forces of the United
States, as may be necessary for these pur-
poses. And in the interest of humanity, and
to aid in preserving the lives of the starv-