St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-04-13

justice required In the matter of the
Maine. The reply above referred to of
the 31st ult also contained an expression
OF the readiness of Spain to submit to |
an arbitration all the differences which |
can arise In this matter, which is SUBJ |
sequently explained by the note of the |
spanish minister at Washington, Of |
The 10th inst, as follows AS to the |
| question of fact which springs from the |
diversity Of views between the REPORTS |
of the American and Spanish boards
Spain proposes that the fact be ascer- |
tanned by an impartial investigation by |
experts, whose decision Spain accepts in
advance. To this have made no reply.
President Grant, in 1875, after discuss
Ing the phases Of the contest as 1t then
appeared, and Its hopeless and apparent
indefinite prolongation, said:
In such event, I am of opinion that |
other nations will be compelled to as
sumo the responsibility which devolves
upon them, and to seriously consider
the only remaining measure possible,
mediation and intervention. Owing per-
baps to the large expanse Of water sep
aratng the island from the peninsula.
S'S NOAitSHbih6 poi llCo dppcdT W nave
within themselves no depository Of COM
mon confidence,to suggest wisdom when
passion and excitement have their
sway, and to assure the part Of peace
maker"
In this view, in the earlier days Of the
contest, the good offices Of the United
States as mediator were rendered in
good faith, without any selfish purpose,
in the Interest Of humanity and in sin
cere friendship for both parties, but
were at the time declined by Spain, with
the declaration, nevertheless, that at
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 con-
tinues with all it's dread horrors and all
its injuries to the interests of 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 inter-
ests 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 to the exclusion of the
other Under the circumstances, the
agency of others, either by mediation or
by Intervention, seems to be the only al
tentative, which must, sooner or later
be invoked for the termination of the
strife"
In the last annual message of my i'm
mediate predecessor, during the pending
struggle, it was said:
when the inability Of Spain to deal
successfully with the insurrection has
become manifest and it is demonstrated
that her sovereignty is extinct in Cuba
for all purposes of it's rightful existence,
and when hopeless struggle for its re-
establishment has degenerated into a
strife, which means nothing more than
the useless sacrifice of human life and
the utter destruction of that very SUBJ
ject matter of the conflict situation
will be presented in which our obliga-
lions to the sovereignty of Spain will be
superseded by higher obligations which
we can hardly hesitate to recognize and
discharge"
In my annual message to congress, in
December last, speaking to this question,
l said: THE near future will demon
strate whether the indispensable con-
dition of a righteous peace, just alike
to the Cubans and to Spain, as we'll as
equitable to all our interests so init
mately involved in the welfare Of Cuba,
Is likely to be attained. If not, the ex-
igency of further and other action by the
United States will remain to be taken.
When that time comes that action will
be determined in the line of indisputable
: right and duty. 1t will be faced without
misgiving or hesitancy in the light of
, the obligation this government owes
to itself, to the people who have con-
fided TO it the protection or their inter-
ests and honor and to humanity
Sure of the right, keeping free from all
offense ourselves, actuated only by up
right and patriotic considerations,
moved neither by passion or sefishness,
the government will continue its watch
full care over the rights and property OF
American citizens and will abate none
of it's efforts to bring about by peaceful
agencies peace which shall be honora-
bic and enduring. If it shall hereafter
appear to be duty imposed by our obli-
. | ,
mainly, to intervene with force, 1t
lall be without fault on our part and
Lhiy because the necessity for such ac-
ton will be so clear as to command the
support and approval Of the civilized
world
The long trial has proved that the OBJ
, ject for which Spain has waged war can
, not be attained. The fire of instruction
, may flame or shoulder with varying sea-
, sons, but it has not been, and 1t is plain
= that it cannot be, extinguished by pres
= ent methods. The only hope of relief
and repose from condition which can
>. no longer be endured Is the enforced pa
. cification of Cuba. In the name of hui
- manity, in the name Of civilization, In
behalf of endangered American interests
l which give us the right and the duty te
y act, the war in Cuba must STOP
. In view of these facts, of these consid-
Il eratons, ask the congress to authorize
U and empower the president to take
! measures to secure full and final ter.
: mination of hostilites between the gov
d eminent of Spain and the people OF
: Cuba, and to secure in the island the es-
. Establishment of a stable government ca
:, pable of maintaining order and observ
i ing it's international obligations, insur'
s ing peace and tranquility and the Sc
: curity of it's citizens as we'll as our own
II and to use the military and naval forces
u Of the United States as may be neces
: sary for these purposes.
And, In the interest Of humanity ant