Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-06
@I,ony, 70 fix the responsibility Of Its au-

All these things carried conviction 20
the most thoughtful even before the find
hB oifthe naval court. that a crisis ia our
relatons with Spain and toward Cuba
Was az hand. So strong was this beiief
mat II needed but brief executive sug-
Sesuon to the Congress 20 receive imme-
ulate answer TO the duty OF the making
instant provision for q positive and per-
naps speedy probable emergency, and the
neiilarkapie--almost unique spectacle-was
presented OF unanimous vote OF both
houses on the 9th OF March, appropriating
N'VVJ0eVo Tor the national defence and
TOT each and every purpose connected
herewith. TO be expended at the dscre-
uon of the President"
PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.
That this act Of provision came none too
sOon was disclosed when the application
OF me fund was undertaken. Our coasts
were practically undefonded. Our navy
needed large provision for increased am
humuon and supplies, and even numbers.
10 cope with any sudden attack from the
navy OF Spain, which comprised modern
vessels or the highest type OF Continental
perfection. Our army also wanted amrnu-
milton and men. The details for the con-
ungency were told in the reports OF the
secretaries OF War and.of the Navy and
need not be repeated here. It is sufficient
70 say that the outbreak OF war, when IL
uld come, found our nation not unprepared
70 meet The conflict, nor was the appre-
'~'''A'" VI A'lt COUllDS slillt cOQIneu 10
our own country. 1t was felt by the Cont
mental Powers, which, on April slh,
through their ambassadors and envoys.
addressed TO the Executive a hope that
humanity and moderation might mark the
course OF this government and peoplc
and that further negotiations vould lead
10 an agreement which While securing the
maintenance Of peace. would afford all
necessary guarantees for the re-establish-
ment OF order in Cuba. In responding 10
TpEnCEpnfHftnn I / CHI bs
nope the ENJOYS had expressed that peace
ihiShi be preserved in "A manner to termi-
nate the chronic condition OF disturbance
ID cuba, so injurious and menacing 10
our interests and tranquility, as well as
revolving to our sentiments TO humanity;
and. while appreciating the huma nitarian
ana disinterested character OF the com
munication they had made on behalf Of
the Powers. / stated the confidence OF this
government. for its part. that equal appra-
cation would be shown OF it's own ear
nest and unselfish endeavors to fulfil a
duty TO humanity by ending n situation.
the indefinite prolongation of which had
become insufferable.
EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN PEACE.
Still animated by the hope of peace
ful solution. and obeying the dictates Of
duty, no effort was relaxed TO bring about
a speedy ending OF the Cuban struggle.
Negotiations 10 this object continued ac-
lively with the Government of Spain
looking to the immediate con
conclusion Of six-months arms-
dce in Cuba, with a view TO effecting
the recognition Of her peoples right
TO independence Besides this the instant
revocation Of the order Of recOncentration
was asked. 80 that the sufferers. returning
20 their homes and aided by united Ameri-
can and Spanish effort, might be put In
way TO support themselves, and. by or
derly resumption OF the well-nigh destroy
ed productive energies OF the island. con-
tribute TO the restoration Of its tran
quillity and well-being.
SPAIN BEYOND REASON.
Negotiations continued Tor some little
time at Madrid. resulting in offers by the
Spanish Government which could not but
Be regarded as inadequate. II was pro-
posed TO confine the preparation of peace
10 the Insular Parliament. vet 10 be con-
vened under the Autonomous DEGREES ~
November. 1897. but without impairment
i'm any wise Of the constitutional powers
of the Madrid Government. which to that
end would grant an armisuce II sollcited
by the insurgents, for such time as the
general-in-chief might see fiji 10 fix. How
and with what scope of discretionary pow
ers the Insular Parliament was expected
10 set about the preparation OF peace
did not appear. II II were to be by nego-
tiation with the insurgents the issue seem
ed to rest. on the one side with body
chosen by a fraction Of the electors IN
the districts under Spanish control ana
on the other with the insurgent popula-
ton holding the interior country, Inrep-
resented in the sO-called parliament anG
defiant at the suggestion Of suing for
peace,
Grieged End disappointed at this bar
rem outcome OF my sincere endeavors =
reach q practical solution, | felt 1t p%v
duty TO remit the whole question TO III
Congress. In the message OF April IL.
1898. l announced that with this last over
ture i'm the direction of immediate peace
I'm Cuba. and it's disappointing reception
lsrC
brought to an end. | again reviewed the
alternative courses of action which had
been proposed, concluding that the only
one cOnsOnant with international policy,
and compatible with our firm-set histori-
cal traditions. was Intervention as a neu-
tral to stop the war and check the nope
less sacrifice Of life. even though that re-
sort involved hostile cOnstrant upon
both the parties to the contest as well as
enforcing such a truce as would guide to
eventual settlement"
INTERVENTION RESOLVED UPON:
The grounds justifying that step were
the interests OF humanity, the duty 10
protect the life and property OF our ciu-
zens i'm Cuba the right to check INJURY
10 our commerce and people through the
devastation of the island. and most IN,
portant. the need of removing at once ana
forever the constant menace and the Duf-
dens entaled upon our government by the
uncertainties and perils of the situation
caused by the unendurable disturbance IN
Cuba l said:
"The long trial has proved that the
object for which Spain has waged the
war cannot be attained. The fire of in
surrection may flame or may shoulder
with varying seasons, but ii has not been
and II is plain that Ii cannot be- eXtin-
gllished by present methOds. 1ne only
hope of relief and repOse from conol-
tiOn which can no longer be endured Is
the enforced paciication Of Cuba In the
name Of humanity, in the name OF ciViH-
Zation i'm behalf of endangered American
Interests, which give us the right and the
duty TO speak and TO act, the war In Cuba
must STOP
asked to authorize and empower the Pres
iGent TO take measures TO secure Iull
and final termination of hostilities be
tween Spain and the people OF Cuba,
and TO restore i'm the island the establish
ment OF q stable government, capable OF
maintaining order and observing It's IN
ternatiOnal obligations, and Of inSurinS
Of it's citizens. as well as our own; and
for the accomplishment Of these ends, to
use the military and naval forces OF the
limited States as might be necessary, with
added authority 10 continuous generous
relief 10 the starving people of Cuba.
The response Of the Congress, attef
nine days of earnest delibera ton, during
which the almost unanimous sentiment or
Vour body was developed on every point
save as TO the eXpediency OF coupling the
proposed action with a formal recoShl-
tion of The republic Of Cuba as the true
and lawful government Of that Island
"a pronosition which failed OF adoption
the Congress, after conference On .he M
18th OF April. by vote OF ~ 10 30 IN lhe
Senafe and 81 10 jn the House or KEEP
resentatives passed the memorable JOINT
resolution declaring.