The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-04-14

-. - u-aHe rlgat TO Intervene may be justi-
lieu W the very serious injury to the COM
ms &c, trade and business Of our people and
py the wanton destruction Of property and
Fourth-And Which sbiah is or the utmost I'M
psrtance. The present condition Of affairs in
Gupa IS a constant menace to people and
pense. With such a conflict waged for years
on an Island so near us and with which our
people nave such trade and business relations
when tho lives and liberty Of our citizens
are IN constant danger, and their propel,ty
destroyed and themselves ruined-whsre our
t .paa1ng vessels are liable to seizure and ar
iess at QUE very door by war vessels of other
nauons the expeditions Of filibustering that we
are poWerless to prevent altogether and the
tlLitatlng questions and entanglements thus
arlslng-all these and others that need not
mention with tie resulting strained relations
are constant menace to our peace, and COM
pei US to keep a serni-war footing with a
AAt.'1on WITH winch we are at peace.
s%r Wreck of the Maine.
These elements of danger and disordar o.
ready pointed out have been strkingly illus
1ra u by tragic event which has deeply
ai he 3us'1y moved the American people. have
aLreaay transmitted to congress the report of
the naval court of inquiry on the destruction
OF the battleship MAINE in the harbor Of
havana during the night of the 18th of Feb
ruary. The destruction of that noble vessel
mas filled the nations heart with mex
presslnI horror Two hundred and ffty-nine
our navy were reposing in the fancied security
OF friendly harbor, when hurled to death
silea ana want brought to their homes and
me naval court of inquiry, which is need
less TO say commands unqualified confidence
~ LINE Inc government, was unanimous In its con-
clusAon mat the destruction of the Maine was
caused by an exterior explosion that of a sub
marine mine. 1t did not assume to place the
feSpon ns at.. That remains to be fixed.
IN any event the destruction Of the Maine
Dy Whatever exterior cause is a patent and
impressive mp proof of state of things in Cuba
that is intolerable. That condition is this
nanic
ment cannot assure safety and security to a
vessel OF the American navy in the harbor
fully there
Further referring in this connection to recent
oapiomat1c correspondence, dispatch from
tanned the statement that the Spanish minis
ter for foreign affairs assured him positively
that Spain will do all that the highest honor
Maine. W o
Arbitration Proposed,
The reply above referred to- of the 31st nj
.liuo' also contained an expression of the read
mess OF Spain to submit to an arbitration all
the dlfterences which arise in this matter,
which is subsequently explained by the note
OF the Spanish minister at WASHINGTON of the
10th inst, as follows:
LAS to the question of fact which enrnos
1rcn1 me diversity Of views between the rep
resentatives of the American and Spanish
tanned by an impartial investigation by ex-
vance,"
To this made no reply
President Grant, in 1876, after discussing the
phases of the contest as it then appeared, and
ITS hopeless and apparent indefinite prolonga-
tion, said:
IN such event, of opinion that other
nations Will be compelled to assume the re-
sponsibility which devolves upon them, and to
seriously consider the only remaining meas
ures possible-mediation and intervention
owing perhaps, to the large expanse of water
separating the island from the peninsula. the
n haV will in
selves no depository of common confidence, to
suggest wisdom when passion and excitement
maker. In this view, in the earlier days of the
contest the good offices of the United States
as a mediator were rendered in good faith
without any selfish purposes, in the interest
of humanity and in sincere friendship for both
parties, but were at the time declined by
Spain, with the declaration, nevertheless, that
at, a future time they would be Indispensable
NoNintimation has been received that, in the
OPINION of Spain, that time has been reached.
1 ana ye'She strife continues with all its dread
norrGTs an@ sll its injuries to the interests Of
the Onlteo Sestes and of other nations Each
party seems quf>e capable Of working great
ali the relations and eress as w1 on as tho e
existence of peace in thejsland; but they seem
Incapable PIE OF 1 reaching ANY adjustment and
success whereby one party shall possess and
control the island to the exclusion OF the other
either by mediation by intervention, seems
to be the only alternative which must, sooner
or later, be invoked for the termination of the
strife"
Cleveland auoted.
In the last annual message of my imme-
date predecessor during the pending strug- !
'.when the inability OF Spain to deal sue
cessfully with the instruction has become
manifest, and it is demonstrated that her
sovereignty is extinct in Cuba for all purposes
of its rightfu! existence and when hopeless
struggle for it's re-establishment has degen-
Grated into a strife which means nothing more
than the Useless sacrifice Of human life and
the utter destruction of the very subject mat
ter of the conflict, situation will be pre-
sented in which our obligations to the sover-'
eighty of Spain will be superseded by higher
which we can hardly hesitate
to recognize and discharge"
In my annual message to congress, December
last, speaking on this question. I said:
1.-The near future will be demonstrate wheth-
er the indispensable condition of righteous
peace. just alike to the Cubans and to Spain,
as we'll: as equitable to all our interest, SO
involved in the welfare of Cuba, is
likely to be attained. Ii not, the exigency of
further and other action by the United States
comes that action viii be determined in the the
line of indisputable right and duty. 1t will |
be faced without m1sgiving l1esitancy in the
light of the obligation this government owes
to itself to the people who have conhded to It
the protection OF their interests and honor |
and to humanity. q r. r.. II
tense ourselves, aotuated only by upright and |
patriotic considerations, moved neither by |
passion nor selfshneSs, the government will |
continue it's watchful the rights |
and property of American citizens and will |
abate none Of its efforts to bring about by |
peaceful agencies peace which shall be |
honorable and enduring If it shall hereafter |
appear to be a duty imposed by our obligations |
to ourselves, to civilization and humanity to |
with force, it shall be without fault |
On part, and only because the necessity |
for such action will be clear to
nand the support and approval of the civilized |
world ~ -'s- a.-.
The long trial has proved that the object for J
which Spain has Waged the war cannot be at |
tanned. The fire of instruction may flame or /
may shoulder 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 cannot longer be endured, is the en-
forced pacification Of Cuba. In the OF
humanity in the name of civilization, in be-
half of endangered American interests which |
give us the right and the duty to speak and |
to act. -Esz5 ~ VI E3-5 s-,f:- $50
Z The War in Cuba Must Stop.
In view of these facts and ii ese corsidera-
lions, I ask the congress to authorize and en-
powo. the president to take measures to Sc
cure a full and complete termination of hos |
.ilities between the government of Spain and |
he people of Cuba, and to secure in the island |
he establishment of stable government cap
able of maintaining order and observing it's
obligations, ensuring peace and |
tranquility and the security Of it's citizens; as
we'll as our own, and to the military and |
naval forces of the United States as may be
So. !. l