Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-09
THE QUESTION OF MEDIATION

Coeval with talk of foreign mediation
In the present crisis of our relations with
Spain. there developed in Washington an
effort TO inculcate the idea that this gov
eminent could not accept mediation, and
following the joint note of the Powers
TO the administration this effort has been
accentuated. If we cannot accept media
ton. why not?
There Is mediation and mediation. AS
we have always held, the Cuban guess
fion Is distinctly an American question
Certainly we could accept no mediation
that did not recognize that fact Ger
rainly we could accept no mediation
that held in it the possibility of present
or future entangling alliances. We eould
not afford to incur any obligation TO
foreign Powers, the discharge OF which
would necessitate our moving an men
from the bedrock Of the Monroe doc
trine.
Nor since matters have progressed to
the present stage could we AFFORD 10
modify the essential principles we have
laid down as constituting the only basis
,non which a peaceful solution of the
problem could be arrived at. Least OF
all could we afford TO yield to pressure
from the foreign Powers as that phrase
IS generally interpreted.
But with all this understood. where Is
the bar TO mediation? A special from
well-informed Washington correspondent
saws that the Presidents reply 10 the
ioint note OF the Powers means mat the
nurpose of this government has been
settled. that present conditions in Cuba
ran no longer be suffered to exist; mat
the friendly offices OF other Powers with
Spain will be welcomed, but that the
time has come when the United states
cannot oe diverted from their long-deiayed
determination. 1t is notice, 1t is auued'
IN Spain that the last opportunity is Of
fered her to concede what otherwise VIII
be wrested from her, and 1t Is warning
that II she does not make use or the
opportunity the consequences VIII swiftly
follow. Another Washington special from
a source by no means jingoistic says that
the answer settles it beyond question
that the United States will not be turned
from their purpose TO free Cuba. Unless
Spain. continues this special, shall ask
"A reopening OF negotiations with this
country for the purpose of arranging
terms for Cuba's freedom, the President
viii send a message to Congress recon-
mending armed Intervention in Cuba and
there Is no doubt that the response from
CONGRESS will be a declaration of war.
We'll. grant II. However II by ac-
cepting mediation we could accomplish
our purpose regarding Cuba, without war.
and yet not ontangle ourselves with for
eign Powers and compromise our honor,
dignity. and prestige, would we be justi-
ned in rejecting IT. 70 reject such media
zion would be TO admit that we are bent
on going TO war for the sake OF war, and
that the freedom Of Cuba and the paying
OF a debt 10 humanity are secondary mat
tiers. That would be the warranted logi-
cal deduction. We do not know that
mediation. safc-guarded as above. is
practicable. but we DO know that II II is
there can be no question that Il should
pot be peremDtoriiy discouraged. There
was sothing IN the note Of the Powers
IN the slightest degree offensive. oificious.
or suggestive Of meddling. 1t was no.
even an offer Of mediation. II may.
however. have been intended as a fore
runre. Of such an offer. But be that as
II may the hurry In some quarters 10
make It's presentation the occas..n for