The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1898-04-14
o semi-war footing with nation with which
we are at peace
The Wreck of the BattleshIp Maine.

| we are 81 peace
The Wreck of the BattIeship Maine.
These elements OF danger and disorder al
| ready pointed out have been strikingIy Illus
trated by a tragic event which has deeply and
| justly moved the American people have al
| ready transmitted TO congress the report OF the
| naval court OF inquiry on the destruction OF tht
| battleshtp Mains in the harbor OF Havana dur
| ing the night Of February Is The destruction
| of that noble vessel has filled the national
| heart with tnexpressible horror Two hun
| dred and ffty-eight brave sailors and marines
and two officers OF navy, reposing in the
| fancied security OF q friendly haroor have
| been hurled to death grief and want brought
| to their homes and sorrow 10 the nation
The naval court OF inquiry which. IL IS need
less TO say. commands the unqualified conh-
dence OF the government. was unanimous in its
conclusion that the destruction OF the Maine
was caused by an exterior explosion, that OF a
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 i'm
pressive proof OF a state Of things in Cuba that
is intolerable. The condition is thus shown 20
be such that the Spanish government cannot
assure safety and security 70 a vessel OF the
American navy in the harbor OF Havana on q
mission OF peace and righfully there
Further referring in this connection TO recent
diplomatic correspondence, q dispatch from
our minister TO Spain OF the 25th ultimo. con-
tanning the statement that the Spanish minis
that Spain will do all that the highest honor
and justice requires in the matter OF the Maize
The reply above referred TO of the 3Ist ultino
also contained an expression OF the readiness
of Spain TO submit to arbitration all the
differences which can arise in this matter,
which Is subsequently explained by the note
of the Spanish minister at Washington on the
10th inst. as follows: As TO the question OF
fact which springs from the diversity Of views
between the report OF the American and Span
ish boards. Spain proposes that the fact be as
certained by impartial investigation by ex-
perts, which decision Spain accepts in advance,
To this have made no reply.
Gen. Grants Opinion.
President Grant in 1873 after discussing the
phases Of the contest as il then appeared and
the hopeless and apparent indefinite prolonga-
ton. said: In such event. am OF the opinion
that other nations will be compelled TO assume
the responsibility which deyolves upon them.
and TO seriously consider the only remaining
measures possible mediation and interven-
ton Owing, perhaps. to the large expanse OF
water separating the island from the peninsula
the contending parties appear 10 have within
themselves no depository OF common conf
dence TO suggest wisdom when passion and ex-
element have their sway and assume
the part OF peacemaker In this view,
in the earlier days OF the contest
the good Offices OF the United States as a me-
diator were rendered in good faith without any
selfish purpose, in the interest OF humanity
and in sincere friendship for both parties but
were at the time declined by Spain with the
declaration, nevertheless, that at a future time
they would be indispensable. No intimation
has been received that in the opinion of Spain
that time has been reached And yet the strife
continues with all its dread horrors and all its
injuries to the United States and OF
other nations Each party seems quite |
capable of working great injury and
damage TO the other, as well as |
to all the relations and interests dependent on /
the existence Of peace in the island: but they
seem incapable Of reaching any adjustment /
and both have thus far failed OF achieving any /
success whereby one party shall possess and /
control the island 10 the exclusion OF the other
Under the circumstances. the agency of others
either by mediation or by intervention, seems /
TO be the only alternative which must, sooner |
or later be invoked for the termination OF the
strife"
President Cleveland Quoted.
In the last annual message of my immediate
predecessor. during the pending struggle IL |
was said: When the inability of Spain to deal
successfully with the Instruction has become
manifest and IL Is demonstrated that her |
sovereignty is extinct In Cuba for all purposes
of its original existence. and when a hopeless
struggle for Its establishment has degen- |
Grated into a strife which means nothing more |
han the useless sacrifice OF human life and the
after destruction of the very subject matter of
he conflict. a situation will be presented in
Sh1ch our obligations to the sovereignty OF |
spain will be superseded by higher obliga-
1
liZe and discharge
What MIR. Mckinley Previously Stated.
In my annual message to congress, December
asst, speaking to this question. / said: The |
lear future will demonstrate whether the in
condition Of a righteous pence Just
like to the Cubans and to Spain as well as
quitaole to all our interests so intimately in
olved in the welfare of Cuba Is likely to be |
ttained- If not, the exigency Of further and
Their action by the United States will remain |
o be taken When that time comes that action
I'LL be determined in the line OF indisputable
light and duty. 1t will be faced without mis-
wing or hesitancy in the light OF the
litigation this government owes to itself |
D the people who have conhded TO
the protection Of their interests |
nd honor, and to humanity. Sure of the right, |
eeping free from all oTense ourselves actu-
ted only by upright and patriotic coasidera-
ons, moved neither by passion nor selfish
ess, the government will continue its watch
II care over the rights ana property OF Amer ,
an citizsns and will abate none Of its efforts
} bring about By peacefuI agencies a peace
hieh shall be honorable and enduring II IL
hall hereafter appear to be duty imposed by |
II obligations to ourselves. to civilization and
1manity to intervene with force il shall be |
lthout fault on our part and only because the |
ecessity for such action will be so clear as to
'mmand the support and approval OF the civ
lied world" 7
The long trial has proved tina; the object for | (
hlch Spain has waged the war cannot be at | n
ined The fire Of fnsurrection may fame or | /:
ay shoulder with varying seasons but IL has |
IT been and 1t is plain that IL cannot be ex- | O
aguished by present methods The only | q
'pe OF relief and repose from a condition | e
hich cannot longer be endured is the enforced | .
.cihcat1on OF Cuba In the name of humanity |
the name Of civilization, In behalf Of endan- Z
red American interests which gives Us the o
sht and the duty 20 speak and 10 act. the var Il
Cuba must stop
Power Asked to Terminate HostIiIties
In view OF these facts and these consIdera- | :,
ms ask the congress to authorize and en- | -
"er the president to take measures 70 secure ?
full termination OF hostiliIities between | r,
government Of Spain and the people Of | Z,
ba, and to secure IN the island the establish IT
mt OF stable government capable of main l
ming order and observing its IN I;
obligations insurfn1 peace | IL
trannIlillifr and |