The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-04-12
THE PRESIDENTS
MESSAGE READ
lContlnuea frnm tlrst pagel

hurled to death; gricl and want brought
60 their homes. and sorrow 10 the ma
ton. The naval court ol inquiry witch, Il
is needless to say, commands the unquall-
He'd confidence ~ the government, WIS
unanimous In is conclusion that the de-
struction ~ the Maine was caused by an
exterior explosion and also by suh-ma-
rine mine. | did not assume to place the
responsibility. That remains to be fixed
In any event the destruction VI the
Maine. by whatever exterior cause, Is a
patent and impressive proof ot the state
OF things In Cuba that Is intolerahlc That
condition is thus shown 70 be such that
the Spanish government cannot assure
the safety and security 10 a vessel ~ the
American navy In the harbor ~ Havana
on mission ~ peace and tranquility.
Reference Is made In this connection To
the recent diplomatic correspondence. A
disaptch from our minister 10 Spain OF
the s6th ultimo contained the fact that
the Spanish minister for foreign arairs
assured him positively that Spain will DO
all that the highest honor and justice rc-
uuircs In the matter NJ the Maine Tho
reply referred to ot the Slst ultlmo. also
contained an expression of the readiness
OF Spain TO submit to arbitration all dit-
fercnccs which can arise In this matter,
which is subsequently explained by IA
note OF the Spanish minister at Washing
ton Of the loth instant as follows;
"'As 10 the question of fact which
springs from the diversified views be-
tween the representatives ~ the Ameri-
can and Spanish boards. Spain proposes
that It be asccrtaincd by an impartial In.
vestigation by experts, which decision
Spain accepts In advance
ITO this I have made no reply. The
long trial has proved that the object for
which Spain has waged war cannot be
attained. The only hope ot relief and re-
pose from condition which cannot long
er De endured Is the enforced pacincation
of Cuba In the name of humanity. and In
the name Of civilization. In behalf ~
American interests. which
give us the right and duty TO speak ana
to act. the war In cuba must stop. In
view OF these facts and these consliera-
tions ask congress 10 authorize ana
empower the president 10 take measures
20 secure the tull termination NJ hostill.
ties between the government of Spain and
the people Of Cuba and 10 use the military
and naval force Of the United States as
may be necessary FOR these purposes. /
recommend that the distribution Of food F.
and supplies be continued and that an APP /
preparation be made out of the public /
treasury to supplement the charity oy our I
The issue is now with congress. |
II Is a solemn responsibility have eX-
hausted every effort TO relieve the intol- /
erable condition of Affairs which ls at our |
doors am prepared 20 execute every oh |
legation imposed upon me by the const-
tuition and law. ! await your action
The president simply states that he has |
been notified by Spain tha, an armistice
has been proclaimed In cuba. and says
II this measure attalns successful re-
suits. then our aspirations as Christian,
,eace-loying people will be realized. II It
ails, Il will only another Justification for
'ur contemplated action"