The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-12-05

established that the origin OF the ex-
plosion was external by submarine
mine. and only halted through lack OF
positive testimony. TO fix the RESPONSE
biity Of its authorship.
All these things carried conviction 10
the most thoughtful. even before the
finding OF the naval court. that crisis
in our relations with Spain and toward
Cuba was at hama. So strong was this
belief that II needed but a brief executive
suggestion 90 the congress TO receive inn
mediate answer to the duty OF making
instant provision for the possible and,
perhaps. speedily probable emergency OF
war and the remarkable. almost unique,
spectacle was presented Of a unanimous
vote OF both houses on March 3 ap-
rropriatlng $4,000, 900 for the national
defense and for each and every purpose
Connected Herewith. to be expended at
the discretion OF the president"
That this act OF provision came none
too soon was disclosed when the applica-
tIon Of the fund was undertaken Our
Goa SITS were practically undefended. Our
navy needed large provision for increased
ammunition and supplies and even num-
bers 20 cope with any sudden attack
from the navy Of Spain which comprised
modern vessels OF the highest type OF con-
tinental perfection. Our army also re-
quired enlargement of men and muni-
tions. The details of the hurried prep
aration for the dreaded contingency are
told i'm the reports OF the secretaries of
war and OF the navy and need not be re-
| peated here. II is sufficient TO say that
| the outbyeak of war, when IL did come
| found our nation not unprepared to meet
| the conflict.
Nor was the apprehension of coming
| strife confined TO our own country. 1t
was felt by the continental powers. which
| on April G. through their ambassadors
| and envoys addressed to the eXecutivs
an expression of hope that humanity
| and moderation might mark the course
Of thie government and people, and that
| further negotiations would lead 10 an
| agreement which, while securing tne
, maintenance OF peace, would aHoro al
| necessary guarantees for the re-estab-
| lshment of order in Cuba. In respond
| ing to that representation, said shared
i the hope the envoys had expressed that
peace might be preserved in manner
g. terminate the chronic condition or dis
turbance i'm Cuba so injurious ana men
| acing to our interests and tranquility as
| well as shocking to ovr sentiments OF
| humanity: and while appreciating the
! humanitarian and disinterested charac-
| ter of the communication they hau' OH
/ behalf Of the powers. stated the conn
4 dence of this government. Tor lts part
| that equal appreciation would be shown
| for it's own earnest and unselfsh en-
| deavors to fulfill duty to humanity py
| ending a situation. the INDEFINITE pro
| longation OF which had become insurer
/ able.
Stirl animated by the hope OF peace
! ful solution and obeying the dictates OF
| duty, no effort was relaxed TO bring about
| n speedy ending Of the Cuban struggle.
| Negotiations to this object continued ac-
| lively with the government or spain
| looking to the immediate conclusio'l OF
| six months armistice in Cuba, with a
| 70 nTa No rapORnitiOn hpr
| peoples right TO independence. Besides
! this, the instant revocation OF the order
| OF RECOMMENDATION was asked so that the
| sufferers. returning TO their homes ana
aided by united American and Spanish
| effort might be put in q way TO support
themselves and. by orderly resumption
OF the well-nigh destroyed productive
| energies of the island. contribute TO the
| restoration of its tranquility ana wen
being. Negotiations continued for some
little time at Madrid. resulting in offers
! by the Spanish government. which could
rot but be regarded as inadequate. 1t
was proposed To confide the preparation
Of peace TO the insular parliament. yet 10
be convened under the autonomius de-
crees OF November, 1897. but without inn
pairlnent in any wise OF the constitu-
tional powers Of the Madrid government
which. to that end would grant an arm
istice, II solicited by the insurgents for
such time as the general In chief might
see III to fix.
Grieved and disappointed at this barren
outcome OF my sincere endeavors Ia
reach n practicable solution, | felt IL my
duty to remit the whole question to con-
press In the message OF April II, 1898.
| I announced that with this last overture
! I'm the direction of immediate peace IN
Cuba and it's disappointing reception by
| Spain. the effort OF the executive was
brought TO an end. IagGin reviewed the
| als fNsa nf which had
been proposed concluding that the only
| one consonant with international policy
.nd compatible with our firm-set his
torical traditions. was Intervention as n
neutral TO stop the war and check the
| hopeless sacrifice OF life, even though
! that resort involved hostile constraint
upon both the parties 20 the contest. as
/ we'll To enforce a truce as TO guide the
eventual settlement"
The grounds iustifylng that step were
~~e interests Of humanity: the duty 90
1 protect the life and property of our c'ti-
/ zenS IN Cuba: the right 10 check injury
10 our commerce and people through
the devastation Of the Island. and. most
| important. the need Of removing at once
aud forever tho constant menace and tho
burdens entailed upon our government
hy the uncertainties and perils OF thu
situation caused by the uncomfortable dis
turbance In Cuba.
/ III NlfM VI al AiltH AiiF 'Vhir-' "''''
asked 20 authorize and empower The
president TO take measures to secure
fnu and final termination Of hostilitiei
between spain and the people OF Cub;
and 90 secure IN the Island the establish
|, ment OF a stable government. capable
, OF maintaining order end observing it
international obligations. insuring peac'
end tranquility. and the security ~ ~
Z citizens as well as our own. and for th'
accomplishment Of those ends 90 use th'
military and naval forces ~ THE United
states as might be necessary. with sddet
. authority 10 continue generous relief q
the starving people OF Cuba.