The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-05
REMEMBERs CONGRESS.
For Prompt Action in Voting Money
For the War

For the War.
All those things carried conviction to
the most thoughtful, even before the
finding of the naval court, that a crisis
in our relations with Spain and toward
Cuba was at hand. So strong was this
belief that it needed but a brief execu-
tive suggestion to the congress to re-
ceiVe immediate answer to the duty OF
making instant provision for the pos
sible and perhaps speedily probable
emergency of war, and the remarkable,
almost unique spectacle was presented
of a unanimous vote of both houses on
the 9Th of Msrch, apprOpriating nifty
million dollars for the national de-
lenses and for each and every purpose
connected Herewith to be expended at
the discretion of the president"
That this act of provision came none
too soon was disclosed when the appll-
cation of the fund was undertaken our
forts were practically undefended. Our
navy needed large provision for in
creased ammunition and supplies and
even numbers, to cope with any sudden
attack from the navy of Spain, which
comprised modern vessels of the high
est type of continental perfection. Our
army also required enlargement of men
and munitions. The details of the hur-
ried preparation for the decaded con-
tingencies is told in the reports OF the
secretaries of war and of the navy, and
need not be repeated here. 1t is sufficient
to say that the outbreak of war, when
it did come found our nation not I'M
prepared to meet the conflict. Nor was
fined to our own country. 1t was felt
by the continental powers, which, on
April g. through their ambaSsadOries
and enVOVS addressed to the executive
an expression of hope that humanity
and moderation might mark the course
of this government and people and that
further negotiations would lead to an
agreement, Which While securing the
maintenance Of peace, would affirm all
necessary guarantees for the re-estab-
ishment of order in Cuba. In respond
ing to that presentation, also shared
the hope that the ENJOYS had expressed.
that peace might be preserved in man
ner that would terminate the chronic
condition of disturbance of Cuba, so in
furious and menacing to our interests
and tranquility, as well as shocking to
our sentiments of humanity; and, while
approaching the humanitarian and dis
interested character Of the cOmmunIca-
ton they had made on behalf of the
powers, it stated the confidence of the
government, for it's part, that equal
appreciation would be shown for its
earnest and unseIfsh endeavOrs to full
fill duty of humanity by ending a
situation the indefinite prolongation of
which had become inSufferable.
Still animated by the hope of peace
full solution and obeying its dictates no
effort was relaxed to bring about q
speedy ending of the Cuban struggle.
Negotiations to this object continued
actively with the government of Spain,
looking to the immediate conclusion of
a six months armistice in Cuba with
a view TO erect the recognition u LCI
peoples right to independence. Besides
this, the instant revocation of the order
of recommendation was asked, so that
the sufferers, returning to their homes
and aided by united American and
Spanish effort might be put in a way to
support themselves, and, by orderly re-
sumption of the well night destroyed
productive energies of the island, con-
tribute to the restoration of its tran
guilty and well being. Negotiations
continued for some little time at Madrid
resulting in offers by the Spanish gov
eminent which could but be regarded as
inadequate. 1t was proposed to cOnf1de
the preparation of peace to the inSular
parliament, yet to be convened under
the autOmOus DEGREES of November,
1897, but without impairment in any
wise of the constitutional powers of the
Madrid government, which to that end,
would grant an armistice, if solicited
by the Insurgents for such time as the
general in chief might see fit to fix.
How and with what scope of discre-
tiOnary powers the insular parliament
was expected to set about the prepare
ton" of peace, did not appear. If it
was to be by negotiation with the in
surgents the issue seemed to rest on
the one side with a body chosen by a
faction of the electors in the district
under Spanish control, and on the other
with the insurgent population holding
the interior country, unrepreSented in
the so-called parliament. and defiant at
the suggestion of suing for peace.
GrieVed and disappointed at this bar
rem outcome OF my sincere enQedNOfS 10
reach a practicable solution, 1 felt it
my duty to remit the whole question to
the congress. 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 re
ception by Spain, the effort of the ex-
ecutive was brought to an end. l again
reviewed the alternative course of ac-
ton which 1 had prepared, concluding
that the only one cOnsOnant with inter
national policy and compatible with our
firm set historical traditions was inter
VentiOn as a neutral nation to stop the
war and check the hopeless sacrifice of
life, even though that resort involved
hostile constraint upon both the parties
truce as to guide the eventual settle
ment."
The grounds justifying that step were,
the interests of humanity; the duty to
protect life and property of our citi-
zens in Cuba: the right to check injury
to our commerce and people through
the devastation of the island, and, most
important, the need of removing at once
and for ever the constant menace and
the burdens entailed upon our govern
ment by the uncertainties and perils of
the situation caused by the uncomfortable
disturbance in Cuba. I said:
1.-The long trial has proved that the
object for which Spain has waged the
war can not be attained. The fire OF in
surrectiOn may flame or may shoulder
with varying seasons. but it has not
been, and it is plain that it can not be |
eXtinguished by present methods. The |
only hope of relief and repose from
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 |