The true northerner., 1898-12-07
CONGRESS ASKED TO ACT.
whole Question Submitted to Legfs-
IatOrs on April II.

Grieved and disappointed at this barren
outcome of my sincere endeavors 10 reach
"A practical solution, felt ii my duty TO re-
nit the whole question 10 the congress-
In the message of April IL, 1898, announced
that with this last overture in the direc-
ton of immediate peace in Cuba, and its
disappointing reception by Spain, the ef-
fort of the executive was brought TO an
end. | again reviewed the alternative
course of action which / had proposed,
concluding that the only one consonant
with international policy and compatible
with our frm-set historical traditions was
Intervention as a neutral TO stop the war
and check the hopeless sacrifice OF llte,
even though that resort involved hostile
constraint upon both the parties TO the
contest. as well 10 enforce truce as 10
guide the eventual settlement"
The grounds justifying that step were:
The interests of humanity; the duty TO
protect life and property Of our citizens in
Cuba; the right TO check INJURY 20 our COM
merce and people through the devastation
OF the Island, and, most important the neeu
OF removing at once and forever the con-
staIt menace and the burdens entaled
upon our government by the uncertainties
and perils Of the situation caused by the
unerdurable disturbance in Cuba. | SAID:
The long trial has proved that the op-
ject for which Spain has waged the war
cannot be attaired. The fire OF inSurrec-
tion may flame or may smolder with vary
ing seasons, but ii has not been, and II IS
plain that IL cannot be, eXtlngulsned Dy
present methods The only hope of relief
and repose from condition which can no
longer be endured is the enforced pacih-
cation Of cuba. In the name or humanity,
iu the name of civilization, In behalf OF en-
dangered American interests which give
us the right and the duty TO speak ana 10
actual war In Cuba, must stop.
In view of all this, the congress was
asked to authorize and empower the pres
ident TO take measures TO secure tull ana
hnaltermination Of hostilities between SPAN
and the people Of cuba, and 10 secure TO the
island the CStabl iShment Of a stable govern .
ment, capable OF maintaining order ana
observing its international oblgauons, IN
suring peace and tranquility, and the Sc
curity Of its citizens as well as our own
and for the accomplishment OF those enGs
10 use the military and naval forces or the
United States as might be necessary, with
added authority to continue generous re-
lief TO the starving people Of Cuba
Action Of Congress Approved.
The response of the congress- after nine
days of earnest delibera ton, during which
the almost unanimous sentiment of your
body was developed on every point save
as TO the eXpediency OF coupling the pro-
posed action with a formal recognition OF
the republic Of Cuba as the true and lawful
government OF that island-a proposition
which failed Of adopton-the congress,
after conference, on the 18th of April, by
vote of AZ to 80 in the senate and 81 TO
in the house of representatives passed the
memorable joint resolution, declaring:
First. That the people of the island OF
Cuba are. and of right ought to be. free
and Independent.
Second. THAT il is the duty OF the United
States to demand and the government OF
the United States does hereby demand, the
government of Spain a once relinquish its
authority and government in the island OF
Cuba and withdraw it's land and naval
forces from Cuba and Cuban waters.
Third. That the president of the United
States be, and he hereby is, directed and
empowered 20 use the entire land and nsva
forces of the United States, and 10 call into
/, the actual service OF the United States
the militia Of the several states to such
extent as NAV be necessary to carry these
resolutions into effect.
no hqr hx
disclaims any disposition or intention &c
; exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or contro
over said island except for the pacficator
thereof, and asserts Its determination wher
that is accomplished TO leave the govern
ment and control of the island to its peo
pie.
Diplomatic Relations Ended.
This resolution was approved by the ex
ecutive on the next day, April 20. A copy
was at once communicated to the Spanish
minister at this capital, who forthwith an
nounced that his continuance In Washing
ton had thereby become impossible, anC
asked for his passports, which were giver
him, He theregpon Withdrew from
! Washington. leaving the protection o.
! Spanish interests in the United states L
! the French ambassador and the Austro
. Hungarian minister simultaneously VIII
? Gen. Woodford, the American minister a
: Madrid, was telegraphed confirmation o
the text of the joint resolution and directed
to communicate IL to the government o
Spain with the formal demand that IL a
e once relinquish its authority and govern
2 ment in the island OF Cuba and Withdraw
its forces therefrom, coupling this demand
{ with announcements of the intentions o
{ this government as TO the future OF the Is
: land, in conformity with the fourth claus
: OF the resolution, and giving Spain unit
{ noon of April 23 TO reply
8 The demand, although, as above shown
e officially made known TO the spanish envo
$ here, was not delivered at Madrid: Afte
. the instruction reached Gen. Woodford o.
3 the morning of April 21, but before he coul
T present IL, the Spanish minister of stat
I, notified him that upon the presidents az
!. proval OF the joint resolution the Madri
u government, regarding the act as "equive
Z lent to an evident declaration OF war" ha
!. ordered It's minister In Washington TO with