The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-06

of the powers, | stated that the conf
dence of this Government, for its part,
that equal appreciation would be shown
for its own earnest and unselfsh endeav-
ors to fulfill duty to humanity by end
ing a situation the indefinite prolongation
of which had become unsufferable.
SPANS FUTILE PROPOSALS.
Still animated by the hope of peace.
full solution and Obeying the dictates Of
duty. no effort as relaxed to bring about
a speedy ending of the Cuban struggle.
Negotiations to this object continued ac
lively with the Government Of Spain,
looking to the immediate conclusion Of a
six months armistice in Cuba, with Il
view TO effect the recognition of her peo-
pies right to independence. Besides This.
the instant revocation of the order of re-
concentration was asked. so that the suf
ferers, returning to their homes and aiGeJ
by united American and Spanish effort
might be put in way t. support them
selves, and, by orderly resumption of the
well-nigh destroyed productive energies
of the island contribute to the restoration
of its tranquility an well being. Nego-
tiations continued for some little time Mt
Madrid resultinSpin offers by the Span
ish Government which could not but
be regarded as inadequate. 1t was pro-
posed to confide the preparation OF peace
to the insular parliament yet to b.
convened under the autonomous dec. ees
of November, 1897, but without inn
pairment in any wise of the constitu-
tional powers of the Mldril Government,
which, to that end, would grant an arms
tice, if solicited by the insurgents, for
such time as the general in chief might
see fit to fix. How and with what scope
of discretionary powers the insular par
lament was expected to set about the
preparation" of peace did not appear.
If it were to be by negotiation with the
insurgents, the issue seemed to rest on
the one side with body chosen by a
fraction of the electors in the districts
under Spanish control, and on the othel
with the insurgent population holding the
interior country. unpresented in the So
called Parliament, and defiant at the
suggestion of suing for peace.
SITUATION REFERRED TO CON
GRESS.
Grieyed and disappointed at this out
a practicable solution, i felt it my
duty to remit the whole question to
Congress. In the message of April 18th,
1898, | 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 exc
cutiye was brought to an end. | again
reviewed the alternative courses Of ac-
ton which had been proposed, c0nclud-
ing that the only one consonant with
international policy and compatible
with our firm set historical traditions
was intervention as Il neutral TO stop
the war, and check the hopeless sacri-
fee of life, even though that resort in
volved hostile constraint upon both
the parties to the contest, as well to
enforce a truce ms to guide the eventual
settlement" The grounds justifying
that step were. the interests of hui
mainly: the duty to protect the life and
property of our citizens in Cuba; the
right to check injury to our commerce
and people through the devastation of
the island and, most importantt the
need of removing at once and forever the
constant menace and the burdens en-
tailed upon our Government by the UNI
certainties and perils Of the situation
caused by the uncomfortable 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 in
surrection may flame or may smolder
with varying seasons, but it has not
been, and it is plain that it cannot be
eXtinguished by present methods. The
only hope of relief and repOse from a
condition which can no longer be en-
dured is the enforced pacification of
Cuba. In the name of humanity, III the
name of civilization, in behalf of en-
dangered American interests which give
us the right and the duty to speak, and
to act, the war in Cuba must stop.
CONGRESS- DEMANDS CUBAN
FREEDOM.
In view Of all this, the Congress was
asked to authorize and empower the
President to 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 establish
ment Of II stable government, capable
Of maintaining order and observing its
international obligations, insuring peace
and tranquility and the security of its
citizens, as we'll as our own, and fol-
the accomplishment of those ends to
Use the military and naval forces oil
the United States as might be neces
sary; with added authority to continue
generous relief to the starving people
of Cuba.
The response Of the Congress, after
! nine DAYS, of earnest deliberation, dur
| ing which the almost unanimous sentl
ment of your body was developed on
| every point save as to the expediency
of coupling the proposed action with 4
| formal recognition of the republic OF
Cuba, as the true and lawful government
Of that island--a proposition which fail
| ed of adoption--the Congress, after con
ference, on the 10th of April, by a vote
of AZ to 30 in the Senate, and 81 to
| in the House of Representatives, passed
| the memorable joint resolution declaring
FIRST. That the people of the Isl
and of Cuba are, and of right ought t.
be free and independent
SECOND. That it is the duty of the
| United States to demand, and the GOV