The Meeker herald., 1898-04-16

questions and entanglements thus aris-
ine-all these and others that need
NOT mention with the resulting strained
relations. are constant menace to
our peace and comIels US to keep on
a semi-war with the nation with which
we are at peace.
Those elements of danger and dIsor-
der already pointed out have been
strikingly illustrated by tragic event
which has deeply and justly moved
the American peOple-the destruction
of the battleship Maine.
have already transmitted to Con
gress the report of the naval court OF
inquiry. This board. which had the
unqualified confidence of the govern
ment, was unanimous In its verdict
that the Maine was blown up by an
exterior cause-that of q submarine
mine. II did not assume to place the
responsibility. That remains to be
fixed. In any event the destruction Of
the Maine. by whatever exterior cause.
Is a patent and impressive proof OF n
state of things In Cuba that In intol
cradle.
That condition Ia thus shown to be
such that the Spanish government can
not assure safety to a vessel In the Ha-
yana harbor on mission of peace and
rightfully there.
Realizing this, 1t appeared to be my
duty, In spirit Of true friendliness to
Spain and to the Cnbans to bring
about an immediate termination Of the
war.
To this end l submitted on the 9th
ultimo. as result of much representa-
tion and correspondence through the
United States minister mt Madrid.
propositions to the Spanish govern
| ment, looking TO an armfstice uniil Oc-
| tober LIST, for the negotiation of peace
with the good offices of the President
In addition, l asked the immediate re
vocation Of the order of RECOMMENDATION
| so far as to permit the people to re-
| turn to their farms and the needy to
be relieved with provisions and sup
plies from the United States. co-operat-
| Ing with the Spanish authorities so rs
to afford full relief.
The reply Of Spain offering TO leave
n peaceful settlement to the Cuban Par
lament was received March 3lst. This
parliament meets May 4th, and In the
meantime the Spanish government of
fered temporary armistice provided
it were asked for by the insurgents.
The proposition submitted by General
Woodford and the reply to the Spanish
| government were both In the form of
brief memoranda. The function of the
Cuban Parliament in the matter of
preparing" peace and the manner Of
Its doing so are not expressed in the
| Spanish memorandum.
1t is understood that the Spanish
government stands ready to give the
| insular Congress full power to settle
the terms Of peace with the insurgents
either by direct negotiation or indi-
rectly by means Of legislation does not
| appear.
No reply was sent to the Spanish
note. With this last overture for i'm
mediate peace and Its disappointing
reception by Spain, the executive was
brought to the end of Its efforts
Further referring in this connection
to recent diplomatic correspondence, a
dispatch from our minister to Spain
Of the 18th ultimo, contained the state
ment that the Spanish minister for for
eign Affairs assured him positively that
Spain will Do all that the highest hon
or and Justice require IN the mattsr OF
the Naina.
The reply above referred to on the
61st ultimo also contained an expires.
sion Of the readiness Of Spain to submit
to an arbitration all the differences
which can arise in this matter.
President Grants Cuban message in
1875: President Cleveland's last annual
message and President McKinley's own
annual message Of last year are quot
peaceful efforts falling, Intervention
vrn,1lA ho tho r{oht and Arty ~ t1,t.
government.
The message then continues:
The only hope Of relief and repose
from condition which can no longer
be endured is the enforced pacification
Of Cuba. In the name of humanity. in
the name of civilization, in behalf of
endangered American interests which
give us the right and the duty to speak
and to act, the war in Cuba must stop
In view OF these facts and these con-
siderations, l ask the Congress to au-
thOrize and empower the President to
take measures to secure a full and
final termination OF hostilities between
the government of Spain and the peO-
pie Of Cuba, and to secure In the island
the esta blishment of stable govern
ment, and recognizing its international
character and tranquility and the &C.
curity OF Its citizens, as well as our
own, and to use the military and naval
forces of the United States as may be
necessary for these purposes.
And in the interest of humanity and
to aid in preserving the lives of the
starving people of the island. recon-
mend that the distribution Of food and
clothing be continued until peace be
secured, and that an appropriation be
made out Of the public treasury to sup
plement the charity of our citizens.
The issue is now with the Congress.
1t is a solemn responsibility. have
exhausted every effort to relieve the
intolerable condition Of Affairs which is
at our doors.
imposed upon me by the constitution
and the law, await your action.