The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1898-12-10
CONGRESS ASKED TO ACT.
whole Question Submitted to Legis-
Intors ON April II.

|
Grieved and disappointed at this barrer
outcome Of my sincere endeavors 10 reacf
| a practical solution. l felt IL my duty TO re-
nit the whole question to the congress
In the message OF April IL, 1888, / announced
that with this last overture in the direc-
ton of Immediate peace In Cuba. and its
| disappointing reception by Spain. the ef-
| fort or the executive was brought to an
| end | again reviewed the alternative
| course of action which l had proposed.
| concluding that the only one consonant
| with international policy and compatible
with our iirm-sct historical traditionS WAS
| Intervention as neutral to stop the war
! and check the hopeless sacrifice of life,
even though that resort involved host lie
constraint upon both the parties to the
contest. as well to enforce truce as to
buide the eventual settlement"
The grounds justfyng that step were:
The interests OF humanity; the duty 10
protect life ard property of our citizens in
cuba; the right to check injury to,our com
mcrce and people throughthe devastation
of the island and, most IMPORTANT the need
of removing at once and forever The CON
sta.t menace and the burdens entailed
upon our government by the uncertainties
and perils Of the situation caused by the
ncndurable disturbance in Cuba. | SAID:
In view of all this. the congress was
asked to authorize and empower the pres
ident to take measures to secure full and
differentiation Of hostilities between SPAN
and the PEI ple of Cuba and to secure TO the
island the establishment Of stable govern
ment, capable OF maintaining order and
suring peace and tranquility, and the Sc
curtty of It's citizens as well as our own,
and for the accomplishment, OF those ends
10 use the military and naval forces OF the
United States as might be necessary, with
added authority TO continue generous re-
lief to the starving people OF Cuba
Action of Congress Approved.
The response of the congress, after nine
days of earnest elaboration, during which
the almost unanimous sentiment of your
body was developed on every point save
h., If,,.f tl,...,
posed action with formal recognition of
the republic of Cuba as the true and lawful
government of that island-a proposition
which failed of adoption-the congress,
after conference, on the 18th of April by
a vote of AZ to 30 in the senate and 81 to
in the house OF representatives, passed the
memorable joint resolution. declaring:
First. That the people of the island of
Cuba are, and of right ought to be, free
and independent
Second. That 1t is the duty of the United
States to demand and the government of
the United States does hereby demand, the
government of Spain at once rclinquish its
authority and government in the island of
Cuba and Withdraw its land and naval
forces from Cuba and Cuban waters.
Third That the president of the United
States be, and he hereby is, directed and
empowered to use the entire land and naval
forces of the United States, and TO call into
the actual service of the United States
the militia of the several states, to such
extent as may be necessary to carry these
resolutions into effect.
disclaims any disposition or intention to
exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or control
over said island except for the pacfication
thereof, and asserts its determination when
that is accomplished to leave the govern
mont and control of the island to it's peo-
pie"
Diplomatic Relations Ended.
This resolution was approved by the ex-
ecutive on the next day. April 20, A copy
was at once communicated to the Spanish
minister at this capital, who forthwith an
nounced that his continuance In Washing
ton had thereby become impossible, and
asked for his passports, which were given
him. lie thereupon withdrew from
Washington, leaving the protection of
Spanish interests in the United States to
the French ambassador and the Austro-
Hungarian minister. simultaneously with
its communication to the Spanish minister
Gen; Woodford, the American minister az
the text of the joint resolution and directed
to communicate II to the government of
Spain with the formal demand that 1t at
once relinqush its authority and govern
ment in the island of Cuba and withdraw
its forces therefrom. coupling this demand
with announcements Of the intentions of
land, in conformity with the fourth clause
Of the resolution, and giving Spain until
noon of April % to reply.
The demand, although as above shown,
officially made known to the Spanish envoy
here, was not delivered at Madrid. After
the instruction reached Gen. Woodford on
the morning OF April q: but before he could
present It, the Spanish minister of state
notified him that upon the presidents APP
prevail OF the joint resolution the Madrid
government, regarding the act as "equiva,
ordered its minister In Washington to with
draw, thereby breaking off diplomatic re-
latons between the two countries and ceas-
ing all official communication between
their respective representatives. Gen.
Woodford therupon demanded his pass
ports and quilted Madrid the same day.