The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1898-12-13
lie WILL LEAVE That TO CONGRESS
The President Urges Legislation Fol-
the Redemption Of the United
States Nc es.
The Anniversary of this Founding of the
Permanent National Capital at wash
InEton-Hh HzrItIms Policy
and Other Topics
ouR war WITH sPArn.


! Spain and the Cuban insurrsetion as being b.
far the most important problem with which
| We were then called upon 70 deal Tho con
| sideratiOns advanced and ths exposition Of thi
views therein expressed, disclosed my sense o.
| the gravity OF the situation Setting aside. a,
| logically unfoundsd or practically inadmissi
! Bile, the recognition Of the Cuban insurgents a.
belligerents the recognition of the independ
! ence Of Cuba neutral intervention 70 end tn,
war by imposing . rational compromise b.
tween the contestants, intsrysn ton in faToi
of one or the other party. and forcible annex.
alton Of the island, I concluded IL was honest
ly due 70 cur friendly relations with Spain
that she should be given . reasonable ehAnc.
10 realize her expectations OF reform TO which
she nad become irreVoeAbly committed With
In q few weeks previously Shs had announced
comprehensive plans which IL was confidently
asserted would be eficacious to remedy the
evils 50 deeply affecting our own country, 50
injurious 70 the true interests Of the mother
country as well as 70 those OF Cuba, and so re-
pugnant 70 the universal sentiment OF humani-
ty.
The ensuing month brought little sign Of real
progress toward the pacidcation OF Cuba. The
autonomous administrations set up in the cap
ital and some Of the principal cities appeared
not TO gain the favor Of the inhabitants nor 70
be able 70 extend their influence 10 the large
extent OF territory held by the insurgents
cope with still actiye rebellion, con-
tinued many OF the most OBJ
jectiOnsble and offensive policies Of
the government that had preceded it. No
tangible relief was afforded the vast numbers
Of unhappy reconcenrsdos despite the reiter-
ated professions made in that regard and the
amount spprc propristed by Spain to that end q.
The preferred expedient Of zones OF cultiya-
ton proved illusory; indeed, no less practical
nor more deUsIve promises OF succor could
well have been rendered to the exhausted and
destitute people, stripped OF all that made life
and home dear and herded in a strange region
among unsympathetlc strangers hardly less
neCessitOus than themselves.
BY the end Of December the mortality among
them had frightiully increased Conservative
estimates from Spanish sources placed the
deaths among these distressed people At over
10 per cent from the time Gen. Weyler's de-
cree Of RECOMMENDATION was enforced With
the ADOLESCENCE Of the Spanish authorities a
scheme was adopted for relief by charitable
contributions raised in this country and dis
tributed. under the direction Of the consul
general and the several consuls, by noble and
earnest individual effort through the organized
agencies Of the American Red Cross Thou
sands Of lives were thus saved, but many
thousands more were inaccessible TO such
forms Of aid.
The war continued on the old footlng,without
comprehensive plan, developing only the same
Bpasmodic encounters. barren Of strategic re-
suit, that had marked the course Of the earlier
ten years rebellion as well as the present in
Burrect!on from its start No alternative save
physical exhaustion OF either cOmbatant and
therewitbal the praCtic Il ruin Of the island
lay in sight, but how far distant no one could
venture 10 conjecture.
TIE DESTRUCTION OF THE MAINE
At this juBcture. on the 18th OF February,
last, occurred the destruction OF the battle
ship Maine while rightfully lying in the har-
Dor Of Havana on a mission Of international
and good villa catastrophe the sus-
piClOus nature and horror Of which stirred the
nations heart profoundly. 1t is striking
evidence Of the poise and sturdy good sense
distinguishing our national character that this
shocking blow, falling upon a generous people,
already deeply touched by preceding events in
Cuba, did not move them TO an instant, des-
perate resolve TO tolerate no longer the exist
euCc Of q condition Of danger ana disorder at
our doors that made possible such a deed, by
whOmsoeyer wrought. Yet the instinct Of JUS
tice prevailed and the nation anxiously await
ed the result Of the searching investigation at
once set on foot The finding OF the naval
board Of inquiry established that the origin of
the explosion was external, by submarine
mine, and only halted. through lack Of positive
testimony, to fix the responsibility Of its au-
thorship.
most thoughtful, even before the finding OF tho
naval court, that crisis in our relations with
Spain and toward Cuba was at hand. SO
strong was this belief that 1t needed but brief
executive suggestion to the congress to receive
Immediate answer TO the duty Of making in
} ant provision for the possible and perhaps
speedily probable emergency OF war; and the
almost unique spec acle was pre-
sented OF a unanimous vote OF both houses on
he 9th Of March appropriating fifty million
dollars "fOr the national defense and
or each and every purpose con-
lectcd Herewith, TO beA expended at
the discretion Of the president" That this
act Of provision came none to soon was disclos-
ID when the application OF the fund was un-
lcrtaken. Our coasts were practical undo-
Tended Our navy needed large provision for
ammunition and supplies and even
lum bers 10 cope with any sudden attack from
.he navy Of Spain, which comprised modern
vessels OF the highest type Of constructontal
perfection. Our army also required enlarge
nent OF men and munitions. II is sufficient to
,ay that the outbreak Of war, when it did
,ome, found our nation not unprepared TO
meet the conflict
In view OF all this, the congress was asked TO
authorize and empower the president 10 take
TO secure a full and final termination
II hostilities between Spain and the people OF
Cuba and to secure in the island the establish
nent OF a stable government, capable OF main
aiming order and observing its international
obligations, insuring peace and tranquility,
md the security OF its citizens as well as our
,wn, and for the accomplishment Of those ends
% use the military and naval forces of the United
states as might be necessary with added au-
hority to continue generous relief to the starry
ng people OF Cuba.
The response OF the congress, after nine days |
" earnest elaboration, during which the al !
most unanimous sentiment Of your body was
developed on every point save as to the expedi-
sncy OF coupling the proposed action with q
ormal recognition OF the republic OF
Cuba as the true and lawful government OF
hat island-a proposition which failed OF |
Ldoption--the congress, after conference, on !
he 10th OF April by vote Of t2 TO 35 in the |
enate and 81 TO In the house OF representa-
ives, passed the memorable joint resolution !
declaring that the people Of Cuba are. and Of
light ought 10 be, free and independent, and a. |
getting the presidents 20 use the entire land !
nd naval forces OF the United States II nssss-
arg - carry the resolution isto sxssA
~----'