Richmond planet., 1898-04-16

affairs In Cuba is a constant menace
TO our peace. and entails upon this gov
ernment an enormous expense. With
such q conflict waged for years In an
island so near us and with which our
people have such trade and business
relations-when the lives and liberty Of
our citizens are in constant danger and
their property destroyed and them
selves ruined-where eur trading ves-
sells are liable to seizure and are seized
at our very door, by warships OF for
eign nation. the expeditions of fli-
clustering that we are powerless al
together to prevent. and the irritating
questions and entangiements thus aris-
ing-all these and others that I need
not mention. with the resulting strain
ed relations, are a constant menace to
our peace and compei US to keep on a
semi-war footing with q nation with
which we are at peace.
These elements OF danger and dis
order already pointed out have been
strikingly illustrated by a tragic event
which has deeply and Justly moved the
American people I have already trans
mitted to congress the report of the
naval court OF inquiry on the destruc-
tion Of the battleship Maine In the har-
Dor OF Havana during the night Of the
18th OF February. The destruction Of
that noble vessel has filed the ma
tional heart with inexpressible horror.
Two hundred and fifty-eight brave
sailors and marines and two officers of
our navy. reposing In the fancied Sc
curity OF a friendly harbor, have been
hurled to death. grief and want brought
to their homes and sorrow to the ma
ton"
The Destruction or the Maine.
'The naval court Of inquiry which it
ls needless to say commands the un-
qualified confidence of the government,
was unanimous in it's conclusion that
the destruction of the Maine was
caused by an exterior explosion, that
OF a submarine mine. It did not as
sumo to place the responsibility. That
remains to be fixed.
''In any event the destruction of the
Maine. by whatever exterior cause. is
a patent and impressive proof OF a
state OF things in Cuba that Is intol-
erable. That condition is thus shown
to be such that the Spanish govern
ment cannot assure safety and secur-
ity TO vessel of the American navy
In the harbor of Havana on a mission
Of peace. and rightfully there.
Further referring TO this connection
dispatch frsm our minister to Spain, Of
the 2eth ult. contained the statement
that the Spanish minister for foreign
affairs assured him positively that
Spain viii do all that the highest honor
and 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 10
submit to an arbitration all the diff
ferences which can arise in this mat
ter. which is subsequently, explained
by the note OF the Spanish minister al
Washington OF the 10th inst, as fol-
lows:
"'As to the question OF fact which
springs from the diversity of views be-
tween the report Of the American and
Spanish boards. Spain proposes that
the fact be ascertained by an impartial
investigation by experts. whose deci-
sion Spain accepts In advance.
ITO this made no reply"
He then quote from the messages OF
Presidents Grant and Cleveland and
from his own message OF December las,
opposing recognition OF the Cuban in
surgents, declaring they have not ye,
demonstrated their ability to hold g
stable government, and proceeds:
Spain Cannot Subdue the Cubans.
"The long trial has proved that the
object for which Spain has Waged wal
cannot be attained. The fire of insur-
rection may flame or may smouldeI
| with varying seasons, but IT has moi
been and 1t is plain that 1t cannot be
| extinguished by present methods. The
| only hope of relief and repose from g
| condition which can no longer be en-.
| dured IS the enforced paciflcation o,
/ Cuba In the name Of humanity, in the
name OF civilization, in behalf OF en-
| dangered American interests which
| give us the right and the duty to speai
| and to act, the war in Cuba must stop
''In view of these facts and OF thes.
/ considerations ask the congress to au.
| thorize and empower the president t
| take measures to secure full anC
fnal termination OF hostilities betweer
4 the government of Spain and the peo.
4 pie OF Cuba, and to secure IN the ISL
4 and the establishment OF a stable gov.
ernment. capable of maintaining ordei
and observing it's international obliga
tions, ensuring peace and tranquility
and the security OF its citizens as wei
as our own, and to use the military and
naval forces Of the United States a.
may be necessary for these purposes.
'And in the interest Of humanity an(
to aid in preserving the lives Of tn,
/ starving people OF the island, I rec
| ommend that the distribution of fooC
and supplies be continued, and that al
l appropriation be made out of the pub
lie treasury to supplement the charit,
| of our citizens.
"The issue is now with the congress
It is a solemn responsibility. I hav,
exhausted everv effort to relieve tn,
intoierable condition OF affairs which Il
at our doors Prepared to execute ever,
obligation imposed upon me by the con
stitution and the law, I await you
action. t
Yesterday, and since the preparation
of the foregoing message, official infor
nation was received by me that tn,
latest decree Of the queen regent O
Spain directs General Blanco, in orde
to prepare and facilitate peace, to pro
claim a suspension of hostiIities. tn
duration and details OF which have no
yet been communicated to me. Thi
fact, with every other pertinent con
siderNtion, viii, 1 am sure. have you
Just and careful attention in the solemn
deliberations upon which you are abou
to enter. II this measure attains ,
successful result. then our aspiration
As Christian, peace loving people will
BE realized. If 1t fails IT viii be onl-
another justification for our contem
plated actisn-"
The Needy Club, which was orgar