The record-union., 1898-12-06

well nigh destroyed productive energies
of the island, contribute to the restora-
ton of its tranquility and we'll being.
Negotiations continued for some little
time at Madrid, resulting in offers by
the Spanish Government which could
not but be regarded as inadequate. 1t
was proposed to conflde the preparation
of peace to the insular parliament. vet
to be convened under the autonomous
DEGREES of November, 1897. but without
impairment in any wise of the consti-
tutional powers of the Madrid Govern
ment, which to that end, would grant
an armistice, if solicited by the insur-
gents, for such time as the General in
Chief might see fit to fix. How and
with what scope of discretionary pow
ers the insular parliament was expected
to set about the preparation" of peace,
did not appear If it was to be by ne
leotiation with the insurgents, the issue
seemed to rest on the one side with a
body chosen by that faction of the
electors in the districts under Spanish
control, and on the other with the in
surgent population holding the interior
country, unrepresented in the so-called
parliament and defiant at the sugges-
ton or suing Tor peace.
A BARREN OUTCOME.
Grieved and disappointed at this bar
rem outcome of my sincere endeavors
to reach practicable solution, I felt
it my duty to remit the whole question
to Congress. In the message of April
IL, 1898, I announced that with this
last overture in the direction of imme-
date peace in Cuba and it's disappoint-
ing reception by Spain, the effort of
the Executive was brought to an end
again reviewed the alternative course
of action which had prepared, con-
Guiding that the only thing consonant
with International policy and compatible
with our firm set historical traditions
was Intervention as neutral tostop the
war and check the hopeless sacrifice of
life even though that resort involved
hostile constraint upon both the
parties to the contract as we'll as to en-
force a truce to guide the eventual
settlement"
OUR DUTY CLEAR.
The grounds justifying that step were
the interests of humanity; the duty to
protect life and property of our cousins
in Cuba; the right to protect our COM
merce, and, most important, the need
of removing at once and forever the
constant menace and the burdens en-
tailed upon our Government by the un-
certainties and perils of the situation
caused by the unendurable disturbance
in Cuba. I said:
The long trial has proved that the
object for which Spain has waged the
"a nc le,a
surrection may flame or may smolder
with varying seasons, but it has not
been and it is plain it cannot be ex-
| tirgished by present methods. The
only hope Of relief and repose from a
condition which can no longer be en-
dured is the enforced pacification OF
Cuba. In the name of humanity in the
name Of civilization, in behalf of en-
dangered American interests, which
give us the right and duty to speak and
to act, the war in Cuba must STOP
In view of all this, the Congress was
asked to authorize and empower the
President to take measures to secure a
full and final termination Of hostilities
between Spain and the people of Cuba
and to secure in the island the estab-
lishment Of stable Government, capa-
bic Of maintaining order and observing
its International obligations, insuring
peace and tranquility and treatment of
its citizens as we'll as our own, and
for the accomplishment of those ends
to authorize 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.
RESPONSE OF CONGRESS.
The response Of Congress, after nine
days of earnest deliberation, during
which the almost unanimous sentiment
Of your body was developed on every
point save as to the expediency Of
coupling the prepared action with a for
NAL recognition of the republic of Cuba
as the true and lawful government OF
that island-a proposition which failed
Of adoption-the Congress, after con-
ference, on the 10Th of April, by vote
of AZ to 35 in the Senate and 81 to 6
in the House Of Representatives passed
the memorabl joint resolution, saying
'First-That the people of the island
of Cuba, are, and by right, ought to
be free and independent.
"Second-That it is the duty of the
United States, and the Government of
the United States hereby demand that
the Government of Spain at once relin-
quish it's authority 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 is hereby di-
rected and empowered to use the en-
tire land and naval forces of the Unit
ed States. the militia of the several
States, to such extent as may be nee
essary to carry these resolutions into
effect.
"Fourth-That the United States
hereby disclaims any disposition or in
tention to exercise sovereignty. juris-
diction or control over said island. ex-
cept for the pacifcation thereof, and
asserts its determination that when
that is accomplished, to leave the gov
ernment and control Of the islands to
| it's people"
SPAIN NOTIFIED.
This resolution was approved by the
Executive on April Doth A copy was
at once communicated to the Spanish
Minister at this Capital, who forthwith
announced that his continuance in
Washington had thereby become i'm
possible and asked for his passports
which were given him. He thereupon
withdrew from Washington, leaving
the protection of Spanish interests in
the United States to the French EN-
bassador and the Austro- Hungarian
Minister. simultaneously with its
communication to the Spanish Minis
ter, General Woodford, the American
Minister at Madrid, was telegraphed
confirmation of the text of the join.