The San Francisco call., 1898-12-06

houses on the 9th of March, appropriating $50 0OO GOO flor the national defense and for each and every purpose connected there the President"
 That this act of provision came none too soon was disclosed when the application of the fund was undertaken. Our forts were practically undefended. Our navy needed large, provision for increased ann intuition and supplies and even numbers to 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- largement of men and munitions. The de- tails of the hurried preparation for the dread contingency is told in the reports of and need not be repeated here.
 It is sufficient to say that the outbreak of war when 1t did come, found our na-
 ton not unprepared to
 Our Nation meet the conflict Nor
 was the apprehension
 Not of coming strife con-
 rs fined to our own coun-
 OnPIepafeo' try. It was felt by the
 Continental powers, which, on April 6. through their Embas- sadors and Envoys. addressed to the eX- ecutive an expression of hope that hu- manity and moderation might mark the course of this Government and people, and that further negotiations would lead to an attempt which, while securing the maintenance of peace, would affirm all necessary guarantees for the re-estabish- ment of order in Cuba. In responding to
  that the EnVoyS had expressed that peace might be preserved in a manner to ter minate the chronic condition of disturb ance In Cuba, so injurious and menacing to our interests and tranquility, as well as shocking to our sentiments of human ity; and while appreciating the human tartan and disnterested character Of the communication they had made on behalf of the powers it stated the confidence of this Government on its part, that equal appreciation would be shown for its earnest and unselfish endeavors to fulfill duty of humanity by ending situation the indefinite prolongation of which had become insufferable.
 Still animated by the hope of a peaceful solution and obeying the dictates of duty no effort was relaxed to bring about a speedy ending of the Cuban struggle Ne tions to this effect continued active ly with the Government of Spain looking to the immediate conclusion of a six months armistice in Cuba with view to effect the recognition of her peoples right to independence. Besides this. the instant revocation of the order of recon centration was asked so that the suffer- homes and, aided by united Amer ican and Spanish effort. might be put in way to support themselves, and by orderly resumption of the well nigh de- stroyed productive energies of the island, contribute to the restoration of it's tran quillity and well being. Negotiations con- tinued for some little time al Madrid re- suting in offers by the Spanish Govern ment which could not but be regarded as inadequate.
 It was proposed to confde the prepara- ton Of peace to the insuar parliament |
 yet to be convened un- 1
 Spa1n'S der autonomous decree |
 cl.., of November, 1S97 but |
 Chlmer1cal without impairment in |
 Scheme. asg 4ist,onaS wlSe , ot the censu- ,,,,iob = .,,. Madrid Government. | tice If solicited by the insurgents for such | tune as the general in chief might see fftto TX How and with what scope of discre- | tonary powers of the insular parliament | was expected to set about the ''prepara- uon Of peace did not appear. If 1t was to | De by negotiation with the insurgents the | issue seemed to rest on the one side with | a body chosen by that faction of the elect | ors in the districts under Spanish control { and on the other with the insurgent popu- Iatlon holding the interior country until | represented in the so-called parliament | peace. -0 Grieved and disappointed at tnis barren | outcome or my sincere endeavors to reach | a practicable solution felt it my dttv to | remit the whole question to the Congress. | nounced that with this last overture in the direction of immediate peace in .Cuba ana Us disappointing reception by Spain. the eIOrt or the executive was brought to an end. l again reviewed the alternative course Of action which I had prepared that the only course consonant with international policy and compatible with our firmest historical trao tions was as neutral to stop the war and check the hopeless sacrifice of life, even though that resort involved "hostile |, constraint upon both the parties to the contest, as well as to enforce a truce so | as to give time for the eventual settle The grounds justifyng that step were the interests of humanity; the duty to protect life, and property of our cousins merce, and, most important, the need of removing at once and forever the con- stant menace and the burdens entaiied lpon our government by the uncertainties and perils of the situation caused by the lnendurable dtsturnance in Cuba. I said: ect t9e fer long trial has proved that the ob cannot be attained. The fire of insurrec- ton may flame or may smolder with varying seasons. but 1t has not been and 1t is plain 1t cannot be extngushed by present methods. The only hope of relief and repose from condition which can no longer be endured is the enforced pa nanity. in the name of civilization. in be- half of endangered American interests when give us the right and duty to speak md to act, the war in Cuba must stop" In view of all lnis. Congress was asked to authorize and empower the
 President to take meas
 Appeal ures to secure a full and
 final termination of hos
 to tiltties between Spain
 cororro-, and the people of Cuba
 H6AoSS' and to secure in the is-
 land the establishment )f stable governmer' capable of main aiming order and observing its interna- ional obligations, nsuring peace and and proper treatment of its citizens as well as our own, and for the accomplishment of those ends to authorize he use of the military and naval forces of the United States as might be neces- sary, with added authority to continue he generous relief to the starving people Df Cuba.
 The response of Congress, after nine days of earnest deliberation, during which the almost unanimous sentiment of -our body was developed on every point ave as to the expediency of coupling the action with a formal recognition ,f the republic of Cuba as the true and awful government of that island-a prop