The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-06
THE NEGOTIATIONS
HELD WITH SPAIN.
Endeavors Made TO secure q Peace.
full solution. and End the Strug-
gle With Cuba.

Stii animated by the hope Of a peaceful
solution, and obayine the dictates of duty.
effort was fe.axed 10 bring about
speedy ending Of the Cuban struggle Ne
gotlau0ns 10 tAis effect continued actively
with the government of Spain looking 20
the immediate conclusion OF i six months
arBtsfice in Cuba. with a view 10 effect
the recognition Of her peoples right TO IN
dependence. Besides This. the instant revo-
asked so that the sufferers returning 20
their homes and aided by united American
and Spanish effort might be put In way
TO support themselves and. by orderly re-
sumption OF the well nigh destroyed profuc-
tive energies of the island. contribute to
tae restoration OF its tranquility and we'll
being
spatn's Inadequate Offers.
Negotia tons continued for some little
time az Madrid resulting In offers by the
spanish government which could not but
be regarded az Inadequate. IL was pro-
posed to confide the preparations Of peace
10 the insular parliament. yet 10 be con-
yenee under the autonomous DEGREES OF No
vembsr, 1877 but without impairment in
anyw.se Of the constitutional powers of
the Madrid government. which 10 that end
would grant an armstice. II solicited by
tire insurgents. for such time as the geneFai
In chief might see iii TO fix How and wAh
what scope OF discretionary powers the
insuiar parliament WAS expected to set
about the preparation Of peace ed not
appear. II il was 10 he by negotiation with
the insurgents. the issue seemed IN rest on
ti0n OF the electors in the districts under
Spanish control. and on the other with the
insurgent population holding the interior
country unrepresented In the so-calied
parIia ment. and defiant at the suggestion
or suing for peace.
Question Left With Congress.
Grieved and disappointed at this barren
outcome Gf my sincere eseeavors To reach
n practicable solution. | felt Il my duty 10
remit the whole question 10 congress. In
the message Of April IL 1865. announced
that with this last overture In the direc-
tior OF immediate peace in Cuba and its
disappointing reception by Spain. the ef-
fort of the executive vas brought TO an
erd. | again reviewed the a4terna tive course
of action which I had prepared. ennciud-
tng that the only course cOnsonant with In
ternatiOuai policy ard compatible with our
firm set historical traditions was interven-
tion az a neutral 20 stop the war and
check the hopeless sacrifice OF life. even
though that resort involved hostile con-
striint upon both parties 10 the contest, as
well 70 enforce truce as 10 guide the
eventual settlement"
The grounds iusttfying that step were
the interests Of humanity. the duty 20 pro-
tect life and property OF our citizens IN
Cuba. the right 10 check injury 20 our
commerce and peorie through the deva
ton Of the island. and, most Important the
need Of removing NJ once and forever the
constant menace and tho burdens entailei
urcn our government by the unrert antilles
and perSls % the situation caused by the
uncomfortable disturbance IN Cuba said:
The long trial has proved that the OBJ
iect for which Spain has waged the war
cannot he attained The fire of insnrrec-
ton may fame may s,nol'er with vary
ing seasons. but II has rot been and Il Is
plain that Il canpot he exfinEu!Shed by
present methods The only hope % relief
ara vepase from a eondiyIon which can no
longer be endured IS the enforced paclf1ca-
ton ~ Cuba In the name OF humanity IN
the name Of civilization In behalf - en-
dangared American interests. which
give as she right and duty 10
speak and to act the war in Cuba must
stnr."
In view az all this The congress was
asked 10 authorize and empower the presi-
asnt~to take measures 70 secure f}ill and
mai termination 81 host,iities between
ssrAlin and the peo0ie Of cuba and 70 secure
In the island and est 4ol3Sh a stable gov
e*nnent CAPABLE ~ maintaining o<ler and
,sl,Ss irving its International obligations
securing peace and tranquility and the
security ~ it's citizens Wei as our own
and for the accomplishment % those EMS
- use fhs military and naval forces % ma
United States as might ne necessary. with
added authority 10 confirre generous re
lief ~ the starving people % Cuba.