The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-12-10
CONGRESS ASKED no ACT.
whole Question Submitted to Legis-
Intors on April II.


Grieyed and disappointed al this barren
outcome OF my sincere endeavors TO reach
practical solution, felt II my duty to re-
NIT the whole question TO the congress
In the message OF April IL. 1895, announced
that with this last overture In the direc-
ton OF immediate peace In Cuba, and It's
disappointing reception by Spain, the eff
fort OF the executive was brought to an
end. / again reviewed the alternative
course of action which l had proposed.
concluding that the only one consonant
with international policy ana compauple
with our nrmset historical traditions Was
intervention as a neutral to stop the war
and check the hopeless sacrifice OF life,
even though that resort involved hostile
conatraint upon both the parties TO the
contest, as well 10 enforce truce as TO
guide the eventual settlement"
The grounds justifying that step were:
The interests or humanity; the duty TO
protect life and property or our citizens IN
cuba; the right 70 check injury 10 our COM
merce ara people lhrougn me =, s,.'
OF removing al once and forever the con,
slant menace and the burdens eniaied
upon our government by the uncertainties
and pcrlls OF the situation caused by the
uncomfortable disturbance In Cuba. i said
In view OF all this, the congress was
asked to authorize aud empower the pres
idcnt 70 take measures 20 secure run anu
hnaltorminatlon OF hostilitles between SPAN
and the people Of cuba, ana 10 secure 10 the
island the establishment OF a stable govern,
mCnt. capable OF maintaining orQer ana
observing its International obligations, in
suriug peace and tranquility, ana the Sc
curity on its citizens as well as our own,
and Tor the accomplishment OF those engs
20 use the military and naval forces OF the
United states as might be necessary, with
added authority to continue generous re-
lief 10 the starving people or Cuba.
Action OF Congress Approved,
The response OF the congress, after nine
| days OF earnest elaboration, during which
the almost unanimous sentiment OF your
/ h.sl sxrg
as to the eNpediency OF coupling the pro.
posed action with a formal recognition OF
| the republic OF cuba as the true and lawful
| government OF that island--a proposition
! which failed OF adopton--the congress,
after conference, on the 18TH OF April, by
/ a vote OF ~ TO 80 In the senate and I'll 10
i IN tho house az representatives passed the
/ memorable Joint resolution, declaring:
First That the people OF the island 81
Cuba are and OF right ought 70 De- free
second. That IL is the duty OF the United
States TO demand and the government OF
the United States does hereby demand, the
| government Of Spain at once relinquish iti
| authority and government IN the Island oil
| cuba and withdraw It's land and naval
! forces from Cuba and Cuban waters.
i Third That the president OF the United
| States be, and he hereby Is, directed and
empowered 20 use the entire land and naYa
forces OF the United states, and 10 call into
| the actual service OF the United States
the militia OF the several states. TO sucf
extent as may be necessary TO carry these
| resolutions into effect.
"Fourth That the United States hereby
| disclaims any disposition or intention e
exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or oontro
over said island except for the pacliicatioi
thereof, and asserts It's determinau whei
that Is accomplishing TO leave the govern
ment and control Of the island TO It's PEG
pie"
Diplomatic Relations Ended.
This resolution was approved by the ex
ecutlve on the next day, April 20 a cop,
was at once communicated TO the Spanlsl
/ t,.ft. lot al "a fhl al
nouncod that his continuance In Washing
ton had thereby become impossible, an
asked for his passports, which were give
him lie thtrcupon withdrew fror
Washington leaving the protection Q
Spanish interests Ina the United states
the French ambassador and the Austro
Hungarian minister. simultaneously wit
It's communication TO the spanish ministe
3 Gen. Moodford the American minister q
{ Madrid, was telegraphed confirmation 9
the text OF the joint resolution ana dlrectc
TO communicate IL TO the government Z
Spain with the formal demand that II q
once relinduish rs authority and govern
! mcnt IN the island or cuba and withdra'
ia forces therefrom coupling this demnn
Z | with announcements OF the intentions
: this government as 70 the future OF the i
land, In conformity with the fourth claus
2 OF the resolution, and giving Spain unit
: noon OF April % 20 reply.
s The demand. although, az above show
Z officially made known 10 the Spanish cnyo
T. here was not delivered at Madrid. Aft'
y the instruction reached Gen. Woodford z
q the morning or April n, nut before ne coul
present Il, the Spanish minister OF sta
notified him that upon the presidents nj
prevail OF the Joint resolution the Madr
= government, regarding the act as "equlV'
= lent 10 an evident declaration OF war, Ia
y ordered its minister Ia Washington 20 VIII
\ draw. thereby breaking off diplomatic T
\ lationg between the two countries and cen
ing all official communication betwc'
their respective representatives, de
= Woodford therupon demanded his pas
!, ports and quilted Madrid the same day