The Progress. (Shreveport, La.) 1892-1900, 1898-12-10

| nlbutTHlloH IllEnI marx tue course vi lH'S
| government and that further negotiations
| would lead to an agreement. which white
! securing the maintanante of peace, would
| afford all necessary guarantees for the re-
| establishment of order in Cuba. In re
| spending to that representation | said |
shared the hope the ENJOYS had expressed
| that peace might be preserved In man
| ucr to terminate the chronic condition of
| disturbance In Cuba, SO injurious aud men
aCing TO our interests and tranquility, as
well as shocking to our sentiments of hui
manlty. anad while approaching the hu
mnnitarian and dlsinicrcstpd character Of
the communication they had made on behalf
! Of the powers. | stated that the confidence
of this government for its part that equal
appreciation would be shown for lis own
earnest and HmsehSh enheayors so fulfill
n duty to humanity by ending situation,
the Indefinite prolongation Of which had
become insuffcrahlc.
Still animated by the hope Of a peaceful
solution aud obcying the dictates OF duty,
no effort was relaxed to bring about n
speedy ending of the Cuban struggle Ne
goiatons to this objective continued ac-
lively, looking 10 the immediate conclusion
of a six months armistco In Cuba, with a
view to effect the recognition Of her pco
pies rights to independence Besides this
the instant revocation of the order OF re
concentration was asked 50 that the suffer
ers returning to their homes and aided by
united American and Spanish people might
be put In way to support themselves
| again. by orderly resumption of the well
nigh destroyed productive enterprises Of
the island, and contribute to the restora-
ton of Its tranquility and well being Ne
gntiations continued for some little time At
Madrid. resulting In offers by the Span sh
government which could not be regarded
but as inadequate. 1t was proposed to con
iide the preparation of peace to the insu-
lar parliament. yet to be convened under
the autonomous DEGREES Of November TO-
1897. but without impairment in any wise
of the constitutional powers of the Ma
drid government, which, to that end. would
grant an armistice. II solicited by the IN
Surgents. for such time ms the general in
chief should see fit to fix. How and with
what scope OF discretionary powers the in.
sular parliament was expected to set about
the "preparaton' Of peace did not appear.
IL 1t were to be by negotiation with ;ho
insurgents. the issue seemed to rest on the
| one side with a body chosen by fraction
OF the electors In the districts under Span
ish control and on the other with the in
surgent population holding the interior
country. unrepresented in the so-caled par
lament and defiant at the suggestion of
suing for peace
Grioved and dsannonted at this barren
outcome of my sincere endeavors to reach
a practical solution. ! felt II my duty to
remit the whole question to the congress
In the message Of April II. 1898, an.
nounced 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. | again reviewed the alternative
courses of action which | had proposed.
concluding that the only one Consonant
with international policy and compatible
with our firm-set historical traditions. was
intervention as neutral to stop the war
and check the hopeless sacrifice of life.
even though that resort involved 'hosti'e
constrant upon both the parties to the con
test as well as to enforce a truce as to
guide the eventual settlement"
The grounds justifying that step were
the interests Of humanity: the duty to
protect life and property of our citizens In
Cuba; the right to cheek injury to our
commissioners and people through the de-
vastatlon of the island and most impor-
tant. the need Of removing at once and
forever the constant menace and the bur
dens entailed upon our government by the
uncertainties and perls of the situation
caused by the unbearable disturbance in
Cuba, | said:
"The long trial has proved that the object
for which Spain has waged the war can
not be attained. The fire Of insurrection
may flame or may shoulder with varying
seasons, but 1t has not been. aud 1t is plain
that 1t cannot be- extlngushed by present
ht'hVus. lhS VHIy EnVP vi TeIlCI anu re-
pose from a condition which can no longer
be endured Is the enforced pacifcation of
Cuba. In the name of humanity. in the
name OF civilization, In behalf of endanger-
ed American interests. which give us the
right and the duty to speak and act, the war
In Cuba must stop"
ACTIVE INTERVENTION.
In view f all this the congress was asked
tO NIlthOrZp and pmOOwpr tho prpSidpnt IN
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 establishment OF stable
government. capable of maintaining order
and observing It's international obligations.
| insurlng peace and tranquility and the Sc
curity 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 re-
lief to the starving people Of Cuba.
The response Of the congress, after nine
days Of earnest elaboration. during which
the almost unanimous sentiment of your
body was expressed upon every point save
as to the expedlency OF coupling the pro-
posed action with formal recognition OF
the republic Of Cuba as the true and lawful
government Of that island-a proposition
which failed Of adontion-the congress, af-
ter conference. on the 10th of April. by a
vote Of AZ to 81 in the senate and 311 to G
in the house Of representatives. passed the
memorable joint resolution declaring:
"Frst-That the people Of this Island of
Cuba are and of right ought to be free and
independent
"Second-That II Ia the duty Of the United
States to demand and the government of
the United States does hereby demand that
the government Of Spain Mt once relinquish
its authority and government IN the island
Of Cuba and withdraw Its land and naval
forces from Cuba and Cuban waters
"Third-That the president Of the United
States be and Is hereby directed and en-
powered to use the entire land and naval
forces OF the United States and to call into
the active service Of the United States. the
militia OF the several states to the extent
as may be necessary to carry the resolu.
ton. into effect.
"Fourth-That the United States hereby
dsclaims any disposition or intention to
exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or con-
troll over said island except for the pacifica-
ton thereof and asserts It's determination
when that Is accomplished to leave the
government and control OF the island to lis
people"
This resolution was approved by the ex-
A., 80 A