River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08


ton OF immediate peace in Cuba, and its
disappointing reception by Spain, the eff
fort of the executive was brought TO an
end / again reviewed the alternative
course OF action which I had proposed,
concluding that the only one consonant
with International policy and compa tible
with our firm-set historical traditions was
1 intervention as q neutral to stop the war
and check the hopeless sacrifice of life
even though that resort involved hostile
cOnstrdint upon both the parties TO the
contest, as well to enforce a truce as 10
Buide the eventual settlement"
ne grounds lustifylug that step were:
The interests Of humanity. the duty to
protect life and property OF our citizens in
/ Cuoas the right to check injury to our COM
msrce and people through the devastation
OF ne island. and, most important. the need
OF removing at once and forever the con-
staLt menace ana me burdens ertailed
upon our government by the uncertainties
ana perlLs OF the situation caused BY the
uue udurable disturbance in Cuba ] said ::
The long trial has proved that the OBJ
Ject Tor which Spain has waged the war
cannot be atIaired. The fire OF insurrec-
tt0n may flame or may smOider with vary
IEg seasons, but Il has not been, and il Is
pam mat u cannot be, extlnguished by
present methods. The only hope Of relief
ana repose from a condition which can no
longer be endured is the enforced pac!fi-
cation OF Cuba. In the name Of humanity
IA the name OF civllisa ton, iE behalf of en-
GaEgered American interests which give
Us the right and the duty to speak and to
actual war IL Cuba, must stop"
In view of all this, the congress was
asked TO authorize and empower the pres
l1ent TO take measures TO secure a full and
hnal termlE ton Of hostilities between Spain
ana the people OF Cuba, and 10 secure 10 the
lsiand the esta b!ishment Of stable govern
ment, capable Of maintaining order and
cbSerFing lis International obligations, in
suring peace and tranquility, and the Sc
curtty OF its citizens well - our own,
and for the accomplish ment Of those ends
to use the military and naval forces OF the
United States as might be necessary, with
aoqed 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
as 10 the eXpediency of coupling the pro-
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
vote OF IL to 30 in the senate and 81 to
IL 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
States TO demand and the government of
the United States does hereby demand the
government Of Spain at once relinquish its
authority ana 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 militia of the several states, to such
extent az may be necessary to carry these
resolutions into effect.
Fourth. That the United States hereby
disClaims any disposition or intention TO
exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or control
over said island except for the pacifcation
thereof, and asserts its determination when
that is accomplished to leave the govern
ment and control of the island to It's peo-
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. He 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 at
Madrid, was telegraphed confirmation of
the text of the joint resolution and directed
to communicate II to the government OF
Spain with the formal demand that it at
once relinquish its authority and govern
ment in the island of Cuba and withdraw
its forces therefrom, coupling this demand
with announcements of the intentions Of
this government as to the future of the is
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 Il, but before he could
present Il, the Spanish minister of state
notified him that upon the presidents ap-
prevail Of the joint resolution the Madrid
government, regarding the act as "equiva-
lent to an evident declaration of war" had
ordered its minister in Washington to with
draw, thereby breaking off diplomatic re-
lations 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