Evening star., 1898-12-05
Destruction of the Maine,

sight, but how far distant no one could VEN
ture to conjecture.
Destruction of the Maine
At this juncture, on the 18th of February
last, occurred the destruction of the battle
ship Maine while rightfully lying in the
harbor of Havana on a mission of interna-
fonal courtesy and good villa catastrophe
the suspicious nature and horror of which
stirred the nations heart profoundly 1t is
u striking evidence of the poise and sturdy
good sense Distinguishing our national char
acter that this shocking blow, falling upon
4 generous people, already deeply touched
"y preceding events in Cuba, did not move
them to an instant, desperate resolve to
tolerate no longer the existence of a condi-
tion of danger and disorder a our doors
that made possible such a deed, by whom
soever wrought Yet the instinct of Justice
prevailed and the nation anxiously awaited
the result of the searching investigation at
once set on foot. The finding of the naval
board Of inquiry established that the origin
of the explosion was external by a sub
marine mine. and only halted, through lack
of positive testimony, TO fix the RESPONSE
bihty of its authorship
All these things carried conviction to the
most thoughtful, even before the finding of
the naval court, that Il crisis in our rela-
Tons with Spain and toward Cuba was at
hahd SO strong was this belief that 1t
needed but brief Executive suggestion TO
the Congress 10 receive Immediate answer
70 the duty of making instant provision for
the possible and perhaps speedily probable
emergency Of war, and the remarkable, al
most unique spectacle was presented of a
unanimous vote of both Houses, on the 9th
of March, appropriating fifty million dollars
for the national defense and for each and
every purpose connected Herewith, to be
expended at the discretion of the Presi-
dent That tbs act of provision came none
too soon was disclosed when the applica-
ton of the fund was undertaken Our
coasts were practically undefended Our
Navy needed large provision for increased
ammunition and supplies and even numbers
70 cope with any sudden attack from the
Navy of Spain, which comprised modern
vessels Of the highest type of continental
perfection Our Army also required en-
larsement Of men and munitions The de-
tails of the hurried preparation for the
dreaded contingency Is told in the reports
Of The Secretaries of War and of the NAVY
and need not be repeated here. 1t is sufh-
cient to say that the outbreak of war, when
pared to meet the conflict.
Note of the Powers,
Nor was the apprehension of coming
strife confined to our own country. II was
felt by the continental powers which on
AprlI 9Th, through their ambassadors and
ENJOYS, addressed TO the Executive an ex-
preston of hope that humanity and mod
Grafton might mark the course of this Gov
eIhment and people, and that further nego-
uatlOns would lead to an agreement which.
while securing the maintenance Of peace
would afford all necessary guarantees for
tEe re-establishment of order in Cuba In
responding to that representation, l said |
shared the hope the enVoys had expressed
that peace might be preserved in a manner
10 terminate the chronic condition of dis
turbance in Cuba SO injurious and menace
ing 10 our interests and tranquility, as
well as shocking to our sentiments of hui
manlty; and, while apprecating the hu-
ihahltarlan and dfsinterested character Ct
Ihc communication they had made on be-
nan or the powers, / stated the confidence
OF this Government, for its part that equal
appreciation would be shown for its own
earnest and unselhsh endeavors to fulfil Il
duty to humanity by ending a situation the
irdefinite prolongation of which had he
come insufferable
Sun animated by the hope Of a peacefr1
solution and obeying the dictates of dut>.
nc effort was relaxed to bring about a
speedy ending Of the Cuban struggle. Ne
EQUATIONS to this object continued activeIy
with the Government of Spain, looking to
the Immediate conclusion of a six months'
aimlstice in Cuba, with a view 10 effert
the recognition Of her peoples right to in
dependence Besides this, the instant re-
vocation of the order of recommendation
was asked, 50 that the sufferers returning
l" their homes and aided by united Ameri-
can and Spanish effort, might be put in a
way to support themselves and, by orderly
ductive energies of the Island, contribute
TO the restoration Of its tranquility and
~el-being. Negotiations continued for
some little time at Madrid, resulting in Of
fers by the Spanish Government which
could not but be regarded as inadeuuate
IL was proposed to confide the ation
or peace 10 the insular parliament. vet to
De convened under the autonomous DEGREES
OF November. 1885,, but without impairueat
in anywise of the constitutional powers Of
the Madrid Government. which. to that
end, would grant an armistfce If solicited
by the insurgents. for such time as the gem
eral-in-chief might see fit TO fix How and
with what scope of discretionary powers
Continued on Fourteenth PareN