The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1898-04-15

| Second. We owe it To our citizens in Cuba to
AFFORD them that protection and immunity for
! lie and property which no government there
can. or will, AFFORD, and to that end to terminate
the conditions that deprive them OF local pro-
| lection.
Third. The right tc intervene may be justi-
| ned by the very serious injury to the COM
merce, trade and business interests OF our
people. and by the wanton destruction OF prop
] erty and devastation OF the island
| Fourth. And what is of the utmost i'm
portance. the present condition of Affairs In Gu
pa is constant menace to our peace, and en-
tails upon this government enormous ex-
| pense. With such a conflict waged for years In
an island so near u.s. and with which our people
| nave such trade ana business relations-when
the lives and liberty OF our citizens are in con-
stant dread and their property destroyed and
themselves ruined-where our trading ves-
| sells are liable to seizure, and are
seized at our very door, by warships
of a foreign nation, the expeditions OF flibus-
| tering that we are powerless to prevent alto
gether, and the irritating questions and en-
tanglements thus arising-all these and others
that need not mention, with the resulting
| strained relations, are constant menace to
| our peace, and compels us to keep on a semi
war footing with a nation with which we are at
peace.
Destruction of the Maine.
These elements of danger and disorder already
| pointed out have been strikingly illustrated
by a tragic event which has deeply and
| / have already transmitted to congress
| the report OF the naval court OF inquiry on the
destruction Of the battleship Maine in the
harbor OF Havana during the night OF the 18th
of February. The destruction OF that noble
vessel has filled the national hearts with in
expressible horror. Two hundred and fifty
eight brave sailors and marines and two officers
OF our navy, reposng in the fancied security of
a friendly harbor have been hurled to death
grle1 and want brought to their homes and sor-
| row to the nation
The naval court of inquiry which, 1t is need
less to say, commands the unqualified conf
dence OF the government, was unanimous in its
conclusion that the destruction OF the Maine
was caused by an exterior explosion, that of a
suDmarine mine. 1t did not assume Ito place
the responsibility. That remains to be fixed
In any event the destruction OF the Maine by
whatever exterior cause. is a patent and inn
pressiye proof Of q state Of things in Cuba that
be such that thesSpanish government can not
assure SAFETY and security to a vessel OF the
American navy in the harbor of Havana on
mission OF peace and rightfully there.
Assurances Given by Spain.
Further referring in this connection to re-
cent diplomatic correspondence. a dispat h
contained the statement that the Spanish min
lister for foreign affairs assured him positively
that Spain Will do all that the highest honor
and Justice requires in the matter of the Maine
The reply above referred to on the 3Ist ultimo
also contained an expression of the readiness OF
Spain to submit to an arbitration al the dif-
which Is subsequently explained by the note of
the Spanish minister ut " ashington of the 10th
instant as follows.
LAS to the question of fact which springs
from the diversity Of views between the report
OF the American and Spanish boards Spain
proposes that the Tact be ascertaned by an i'm
partial investigation by experts. which deci-
sion Spain accepts in advance" To this have
President Grant Quoted.
President Grant, in 1875, after discussing the
phases of the contest as it then appeared and
lts hopeless and apparent indefinite prolonga-
tion said
I'm such event. am of the opinion that
other nations will be compelled to as sumo the
responsibility which devoives upon them and
TO seriously consider the only remaining meas
ures possible mediation and intervention
Owing, perhaps, to the large expanse of water
separating the island from the penin-
so soia have a1e coaendns Mtbin parties appear
depository of common confidence to suggest
wisdom when passion and excitement have
their sway, and assume the part of peacemaker
In this view. in the earlier days OF the contest
the good Offices OF the United States as a medi-
ator were rendered in good faith without any
selfish purpose, in the interest of humanity and
In sincere friendship for both parties. These
were declined Dy Spain with tine declaration
neyeritIheless ne that a. future time they would
be Indispensable No intimation has been re-
time has arrived
And yet the strife continues with all it's
dread horrors and all its injury to the interests
OF the United States and other nations Each
party seems quite capable OF working great in
jury and damage to the other, as we'll as to all
the relations and interests dependent on the ex-
istence of peace in the island; but they seem
incapable of reaching any adjustment. and both
whereby one party shall possess and control
the island to the exclusion OF the other
Under the circumstances the agency OF Others
eltnerpy mediation or by Intervention, seems TO
be the only alternative which must, sooner or
later be invoked for the termination OF the
strife"
CIeveland's Last Message Quoted.
In the last annual message of my immediate
said:
when the inability of Spain to deal success
fully with the insurrection has become mani
fest, and 1t Is demonstrated that her sovereignty
Is extinct in Cuba for all purposes OF
struggle for its re-establishment has
degenerated into q strife which means nothing
more than the useless sacrifice of human life
and the utter destruction of the very subject
matter of the conflict, condition will have
been produced in which our obligations to the
sovereignty of Spain will be superseded by
higher obligations which we can hardly hest
tate to recognize and discharge"
The December Message Reverted To.
In my annual message to congress. in Decem-
Der last, speaking to this question. said:
THE near future will demonstrate whether
the Indispensable condition OF righteous peace
just alike to the Cubans an dto Spain as well as
equitable to ali our interests so intimately IN
yolved in the welfare OF Cuba, Is likely to be
attained. IL not. the exigency OF further and
other action by the United States will re-
main to be taken. When that time comes that
action will be determined in the line of indis-
putable right and duty. II will be faced. with
out misgiving and hesltancy, in the light OF the
obligation this government owes to itself to
the people who have connded TO it the protec-
tion OF their interests and honor and to hu-
manity.
Sure of the right, keeping free from all Of
tense ourselves. actuated only by upright and
patriotic considerations, moved neither
by passion nor seltshness, the govern
ment Will continue it's watchful care
over the rights and property OF American citi-
zens and Will abate none OF its efforts to bring
about by peaceful agencies pea which shall
be honorable and enduring. If it shall here
after appear to be duty imposed by our obli-
cations to ourselves, to civilization and hu-
manity to intervene with force, it shall be
without fault on our part, and only because the
necessity for such action will be so clear as to
command the support and approval OF the civil
lied world. "
Spains Efforts Have Proved Futile.
The long trial has proved that the object for
which spain has waged the war can not be at
tanned. The 1re OF insurrection may flame or
may shoulder with varying seasons, but it has
not been, and 1t is plain that 1t not be, ex-
tingushed by present methods The only hope
of relief and repose from a condition which can
not longer be endured is the enforced pacihca-
tion OF Cuba In the name of humanity in the
name OF civilization, in behalf OF endangered
American interests, which give us the right and
the duty TO speak and to act, the war in Cuba
must stop.