Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-04-08
GEN, CIRCUITS POSITION
defined in a Letter Over His Own
Signature.


edna New York Herald "IntervIeVv,,---
Bills Introduced In the House by Him.
The New York Herald of last Saturday
nripted an alleged interview with "Repre-
sentative Grout of Vermont, one of the
abest and most conservative veterans in
tbe House in which Gen. Grout was made
20 say:
"I am in favor of swift and terrible ven
geance upon Spain. Up to the present
time / have been opposed to any interven-
ton by force in Cuba, but now am
ready to use our army and navy to drive
the spanish flag from the island of Cuba,
and will not only follow, but l am pre-
pared to lead in movement to authorize
the President to teach the Spanish govern
meut that she cannot insult this nation
with impunity and hide behind the cloak
of diplomacy
GEN. Grout was represented as laying
the chief stress on the Maine incident as
cause for war, saying among numerous
other fiery things:
"The destruction of the Maine has done
more to fire the American heart than all
the long list of cruelties practiced upon
the suffering in Cuba" and that chow
ever strong may have been our feeling of
sympathy for the destitute Cubans, it paled
into insignificance compared with the uni
yersal feeling of resentment and revenge
which the dastardly occurrence in Havana
harbor inspired in the breast of every
loyal American citizen"
The tone and temper of this supposed
interview did not tally with the spirit of
moderation and self-poise which usually
characterize Gen. Grout, and letter was
sent him asking if he had been correctly
reported. This was his answer:
Gen. CIRCUITS Letter.
WASHINGTON, d. c., April 5, 1898.
M dear Sir:
have your letter. The statement in
the Herald was not mine, and is a gross
exaggeration, il not compile perversion of
my sentiments. My views are embodied
in bill to raise the battleship Maine, and
a resolution to recognize the independence
of Cuba, introduced on Monday, and pro-
yidng for relief for non-combatant Cubans
to be distributed by our own agents, so
that our bounty should not be diverted as
some now believe is the case This, with
the dispersal of the reconcentrados under
Blanco's late order, it seemed to me
would fully meet the necessities of the
situation, and satisfy the American peo-
pie.
AS to the battleship Maine, some still
think the explosion might have been from
the inside. They say no one has seen the
hull; all that has been done is to send
some divers down who have felt out the
situation, and who may be mistaken
10 I do nall 10 ohar Vic
it seemed to me only fair to Spain and our
own people that we should not take i'm
portant action on ground still in debate,
when full information can be obtained by
raising the vessel. In this way certain
knowledge may be had of the condition of
the wreck. and meantime we would be
likely to get information fixing the re-
Nroasbility for the disaster on Spain,
where l suspect it really belongs, but
where the board of inquiry failed to place
It.
enclose for your information a copy of
the bill and resolution. From what l
learn, however, l am satisfied that the
message of the President tomorrow will
recommend Intervention, which l expect
will meet with favorable response from
the two houses. The message will be a
patriotic document, and one that will stir
and be likely to unity the country, and
fear the feeling for heroic action is so
strong as to carry everything before it.
do not expect there will be any room for
my peace program, which, in the judgment
of several strong members with whom
have talked, is too late. They say had it
been proposed week or 10 days ago it
might have stood some chance.
Intervention means war, unless Spain
do ind fn uyhin oh lie
thought the European powers may per
shade her to do. To my mind, however,
it is extremely improbable that she will
yield without resistance. l think the
Spanish ministry, and even the queen
regent would be glad to do so, but such q
concession would surely overthrow the
Sagasta ministry and probably the reigninG
dynasty also, which has been long totter
ing almost to a fall through the machina
tions of the Carlists and other factions.
In short it looks to me as though wal
would be the outcome. l may, however
be mistaken. Hoping that l am, anC
war may be averted and peace preserved
am,
Very truly yours,
WILLIAM W. CIRCUIT.
Following is the text of the bill and tn
AtsOluIlOu " OOh' OiOhO "a VA
House on Monday:
Joint resolution recognizing the indie
pendence of the republic of Cuba, and TO
other purposes.
Resolved by the Senate and House o
Representatives of the United States o
America in Congress assembled, That tn
United States of America recognizes tn
republic of Cuba as free and Independent
state.
THAT the President is authorized to ex
pend, out of the appropriation made TO
the national defence in the act approve
March 8, 1898, not exceeding 100000, +
provide non-combatant Cubans with tn
necessary food, raiment and medicine TO
their immediate relief from starvation
also necessary implements of agricultur
and seeds for planting crop: Provided
That the relief herein authorized to nor
combatant Cubans shall be extended onl
through duly authorized agents of tn
United States, and to this end the Pres
dent is authorized to request the 'co0pera
ton of the proper officials of the republl
of Cuba, and of any civil or military OIL
GERS of Spain in the Island of Cuba
Referred to the committee on foreign
fairs.
"A bill providing for raising the bait
ship Maine.
"Be it enacted by the Senate and HouS
Of Representatives of the United States
Aparioa in aseaUnhla6 That III