The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-03-26
UL1'IMATUM! !!
Q. s. Government Will Inform
the Spanish Government
At Once That the Conditions
Now Existing in CuLa
ARE NTOLERABLE
To the People of This Country
and HOStiIities
On the Island Must Cease In
Stantly.
SPAIN WILL SAY NO.
Nation Indignant That She is
Charged Indirectly
SPAIN WILL SAY NO
Nation Indignant That She is
Charged Indirectly
With the TreacherOus Destruc-
tiOn of the Maine.
To Fight For National Honor
Rather Than For Cuba.

Washington, March 26.-It can be
stated on positive information that the
government will, if indeed it has not
already done so, inform Spain that the
conditions now existing in Cuba have
become intolerable to the people of this
country, and that hostilities on the is
land must cease.
This policy is in direct line with the
views of the president, as expressed in
his last message to congress, on Decem-
Der 6. In that message he said: 1.-The
instructions given to our new minister
to Spain before his departure for his
post, directed him to impress upon that
government the sincere wish of the
United States to lend it aid toward the
ending of the war in Cuba by reaching
a peaceful and lasting result, just and
honorable alike to Spain and the Gu
ban people. These Instructions recited
the character and duration of the con-
hfct, the widespread losses it entails,
the burdens and restraints it imposes
upon US with constant disturbance of
national interests and the injury result
ing from an indefinite continuance of
this state of things"
No solution was proposed to which
the slightest idea of humiliation to
Spain could attach, and indeed, precise
proposals were withheld to avoid en-
barrassment to that government
Since the delivery of this message ev-
idence has accumulated showing be-
yOnd question that the promise made in
behalf of the new administration in
Spain to relieve the conditions in Cuba
have not been fulfilled or accomplished
On the contrary the evidence which
has reached the president shows con-
c1usive1y that the situation is daily be-
coming more serious. In view of these
facts this government has decided to
take, if it has not already taken, defin-
ite action by informing Spain, that while
disavowing any interest more than that
dictated by a sense of honor and justice
to a stricken and starving people, it
must insist that hostilities be brought
to a speedy termination.
The time has not been fixed within
which the war must be terminated, but
it is believed that it is the purpose of
the administration not to permit of any
unnecessary or extended delay. 1t is
known in high official circles that many
of the people highest in authority in
Spain, including members of the minis
try, are extremely weary of the con-
fiict in Cuba and would willingly ac-
cede to any reasonable terms for a set
tlement of the whole question by grant
ing to Cuba her independence on an
indemnity basis. The opposition to this
plan comes from the factions opposed to
the present administration who demand
cYy yf1-eE T0a9 Sill coy TO To-
tain control of the island. In view of
these conditions, what will be the an
swer to our demand, cannot be foretold.
New York, March 26.-The Herald
publishes the following from it's cores
pOndent at Madrid:
Today asked a high parsonage
whether might quote a striking lead
ing article of SagaSta'S organ, Ell Lib
eral, as representing faithfully the SEN
timent of the Spanish cabinet. He said:
Yes, you would be justified"
Now, that article is headed in big
type, ESQ? No." which, interpreted,
means, That? No. In this instance
the That is the verdict of the Maine
commission
Ell Liberal goes on to say:
with extraordinary peace of mind
Spain has abStained from war with the
United States for three years. Even
today we believe that peace is possible.
To the end of attaining peace we have
directed all our energy and blood, our
historical existence and our dictates of
conscience, and we have shown no signs
of weakness.
THE peaceful attitude of Spain does
not come from debility. 1t is evident
that a country which has been able to
send an army of 2UU,000 men 3, 900 miles
away to assert its national authority
can scarce be charged with weakness.
THE explosion of the Maine is at
tributed to exterior causes, but not that.
We can suffer all kinds of ISLANDERS, but
not one which attributes
national crime. We do not desire to
have recorded in the history of ma
tions any such false imputation.
Spain has, up to now, held the repu-
tation of an honorable country, and
there can be no nation in the civilized
world that could suspect noble Spain
of imagining crime of such treachery,
even toward an enemy"
New York. March 2s.-The Journal