St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-12-07


necessary guarantees for the re-estap-
lishment of order in Cuba. In respond
ing to that representation, / said shared
the hope the ENJOYS had expressed that
peace might be preserved In a manner
20 terminate the chronic condition OF dis
furbance In Cuba so injurious and men
acing to our interests and tranquility as
well as shocking to our sentiments OF
humanity; and, while approaching the
humanitarian and disinterested charac-
ter Of the communication they mad, on
behalf of the powers, stated the conn
dence of this government, for It's part,
that equal appreciation would be shown
for its own earnest and unselnsn en-
deavors to fulfill a duty to humanity by
ending a situation, the indefinite pro-
longation Of which had become insurer
able.
Still animated by the hope Of a peace.
full solution and obeying the dictates OF
duty, no effort was relaxed to bring about
n speedy ending of the Cuban struggle.
Negotiations to this object continued ac-
lively with the government OF Spain,
looking to the immediate conclusion or
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
sufferers, returning to their homes and
aided by united American and Spanish
effort might be put in way to support
themselves and, by orderly resumption
of the well-nigh destroyed productive
energies of the island, contribute to the
restoration of its tranquility and well
being. Negotiations continued for some
little time at Madrid, resulting in offers
by the Spanish government, which could
rot but be regarded as inadequate 1t
was proposed to conflde the preparation
OF peace to the insular parliament, yet to
be convened under the autonomous de-
crees of November, 1897, but without i'm
pairment In any wise of the constitu-
tional powers of the Madrid government
which, to that end would grant an arm
istice, If solicited by the insurgents for
such time as the general In chief might
see fit to fix.
Grieved and disappointed at this barren
outcome of my sincere endeavors to
reach practicable solution, felt 1t my
duty to remit the whole question to con-
gress. In the message of April II, 1898,
I announced that with this last overture
in the direction Of immediate peace In
Cuba and its disappointing reception by
SPAIN the effort Of the executive was
brought to an end. Iagain reviewed the
alternative course OF action which had
been proposed, concluding that the only
one consonant with international policy
and compatible with our firm-set his
torical traditions, was Intervention as a
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 to enforce a truce as to guide the
eventual settlement"
The grounds justifying that step were
the interests Of humanity; the duty to
protect the life and property of our citi-
Zens In Cuba; the right to check injury
to our conn., cree and people through
the devastation of the island, and, most
important, the need of removing at once
and forever the constant menace and the
burdens entailed upon our government
by the uncertainties and perils of the
situation caused by the uncomfortable dis
turbance In Cuba.
In view of all this the congress was
asked to authorize and empower the
president to take measures to secure 4
full and final termination of hostilities
between Spain and the people of Cuba
and to secure in the Island the establish
ment Of stable government, capable
Of maintaining order and observing its
International obligations, insuring peace
and tranquility, and the security Of its
citizens as well as our own and for the
accomplishment Of those ends to use the
military and naval forces of the United
States as might be necessary with added
authority to continue generous relief to
the starving people Of Cuba.
The response of the congress, after nine
days of earnest elaboration, on April 10,
by vote of AZ to 80 in the senate, and 81
to 6 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.
| Secondhand 1t Is the duty of the
United States to demand, and the gov
eminent of the United States does here
by demand. that the government of Spain
| at once relnquish its authority and gov
| eminent in the island or Cuba and with
draw its land and naval forces from Cuba
| and Cuban waters.
| Third-That the President of the United
States be, and he Is hereby directed and
empowered to use the entire land and
naval forces of the United States, and to
call into the actual service of the United
| States the militia of the several states,
| to such extent as may be necessary to
carry tHeSe ieSOlutlolS lHtO tlltCl.
Fourth-That the United States hereby
disclaims any disposition or intention ,
exercise sovereignty jurisdiction or con-
troll over said island, except for the
paciication thereof, and asserts its de-
termination when that Is accomplished
to leave the government and control of
the island to its people.
This resolution was approved by the
executive on the next day, April 20. A
copy was at once communicated to the
Spanish minister at this capital, who
forthwith announced that his continu-
ance in Washington had thereby be-
come impossible and asked for his pass
ports, which were given him. He there
upon withdrew from Washington, leav.
ing the protection Of Spanish interests In
the United States to the French am
bassador and the AuStro- Hungarian
minister
simultaneously with this communica
ton to the Spanish minister here. Gen.
eral Woodford, the American minister
at Madrid, was telegraphed confirmation
of the text of the joint session, and d.
rected tn communicate 1t to the govern.
ment of Spain with the formal demand
that It at once relinquish its authority
and government In the island Of Cubf
and withdraw its forces therefrom
coupling this demand with the announce
ment Of the intentions of this govern
nent as to the future of the island, II
conformity with the fourth clause Of tn,
resolution and giving Spain until nooI
on April 20 to reply.
That demand, although officially mad,
known to the Spanish envoy here, wa
not delivered at Madrid. After tn,
instructions had reached General Wood
ford on the morning Of April 81, but be
fore he could present 1t the Spanish min
lister of state notified him that upon tn
presidents approval of the joint reso