Evening journal., 1898-04-12

reply above referred to of the 31st ult. also
contained an expression of the readiness
OF Spain TO submit TO an arbitration all
the differences which can arise in this
matter, which is subsequently explained
by the note of the Spanish minister at
Washington of the 10th inst. as follows:
" As 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 fact be as
certained by an impartial investigation by
experts, whose decision Spain accepts in
advance "
To this have made no reply.
President Grant in 1885, after discuss
ing the phases Of tho contest as it then ap.
peared and its hopeless and apparent in.
definite prolongation. said:
ain such event, l am of opinion that
other nations will be compelled to assume
the responsibility which deyolves upon
them and to seriously consider the only
remaining measures possible, mediation
and Intervention. Owing perhaps to the
large expanse of water separating the
island from the peninsula the con-
tending parties appear to have within
themselves no depository Of common conf
denco to suggest wisdom when passion
sumo the part of peacemaker. In this view
in the earlier days of the contest tho good
offices of the United States as a mediator
were tondered in good faith without any
selfish purpose, in the interest of humani-
ty and in sincere friendship for both par
ties, but were at the timc declined by
Spain with the declaration nevertheless
that at future time they would be inds-
ponsable. No intimatlon has been received
that in the opinion Of Spain that time has
been reached. And yet the strife continues
with all its dread horrors and all its in
Juries to the interests of the United States
and of other nations Each party seems
quite capable of working great injury
and damage to the other as we'll as to all
the relations and interests dependent on
the existence of peace in the island, but
they seem incapable of reaching any ad-
justment and both have thus far failed of
achieving any success whereby one party
shall possess and control the island TO the
exclusion of the other. Under,the olrcum-
stances, the agency of others, either by
mediation or by Intervention, seems to
be the only alternative which must, sooner
OF later, be invoked for the termination
of the strife"
In the last annual message of my i'm
mediate predecessor during the pending
struggle it was said:
"When the inability of Spain to deal
successfully with the insurrection has be-
come manifest and it is demonstrated that
her sovereignty is extinct in Cuba for all
purposes of its rightful existence and when
a hopeless struggle for its re-establish-
ment has degenerated into strife which
means nothing more than the useless Sac
rifice of human life, situation will be
presented In which our obligations to the
sovereignty of Spain will be superseded by
higher obligations which we can hardly
hesitate to recognize and discharge.
In my annual message to congress De-
cember last, speaking to this question,
said; The near future will demonstrate
whether the indispensable condition Of a
righteous peace, just alike to the Cubans
and to Spain as well as equitable to all
our interests so intimately involved in the
welfare of Cuba, Is likely to be attained.
If not the exigenoy of further and other
action by the United States will remain
to be taken. When that time comes, that
action will be determined in the line Of
indisputable right and duty. It will be
faced, without misgiving or hesitancy, in
the light of the obligation this govern
ment owes to itself, to the people who
have conhded to it the protection of their
interests and honor and to humanity.
Sure of the right, keeping free from
all offense ourselves, actuated only by up
right and patriotic considerations, moved
neither by passion nor selfshness, the gov
ernment will continue its watchful career
over the rights and property of American
citizens and will abate none of its efforts
to bring about by peaceful agencies peace
which shall be honorable and enduring.
If it shall hereafter appear to be duty
imposed by our obligations to ourselves, to
civilization and humanity 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 civilized
world
The long trial has proved that the object
/ for which Spain has waged the war can
not be attained. The fire of insurrection
may flame or may smolder with varying
seasons, but it has not been and it is plain
that it cannot be extinguished by present
methods The only hope of relief and re-
pose from condition which can no lon
ger be endured is the enforced pacihcation
Of Cuba. m the name of humanity, in
the namo of civilization, in behalf of en-
| uuupofou American alnlblbstS WHICH give
us tho right and the duty to speak and to
act, the war in Cuba must STOP
in view of these facts and of these con-
siderations l ask the congress to authorize
! and empower the president to take meas
ures to secure full and final termination
of hostilities between the government of
Spain and the people of Cuba and to So
cure in the island the establishment of a
stable government capable of maintaining
order and observing its international obli'
cations, insuring peace and tranquility
and the security Of its citizens as well as
our own. and to use the military and ma
val forces of the United States as may be
necessary for these purposes
And in the interest Of humanity and tc
aid in preserving tho lives of the starving
people of the island l recommend that the
distribution of food and supplies be con
tinued and that an appropriation be made
out of the public treasury to supplement
the charity of our citizens.
The issue is now with the congress. II
is solemn responsibility. lhayo exhaust
ed every effort TO relieve the intolerablt
condition Of affairs which Is at our doors
Iornpa rod m axacutp every obligation i'm