The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-06


them to an instant desperate resolve to toll
crate no longer the existence OF a condi-
tion OF danger and disorder at our doors
soever wrought Yet the instinct Of Justice
prevailed and the Nation anxiously awaited
the result of the searching investigation
board Of inquiry established that the origin
OF the explosion was external by a sub
OF positive testimony TO fix the responsibility
OF its authorship.
PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENSE
All these things carried conviction to the
most thoughtful. even before the finding Of
the naval court. that a crisis In our rela-
tions with Spain and toward Cuba was at
hand. So strong was this belief that it
needed but a brief executive suggestion to
Congress to receive immediate answer
TO the duty OF making instant provision
for the then possible and perhaps speedily
horrible emergency of war, and the re-
markable, almost unique, spectacle was pre-
sented Of unanimous vote of both houses
on the 9th of March appropriating $50, O0O,-
900 for the national defense and for each
and every purpose connected Herewith to
dent"
That this act of provision came none too
soon was disclosed when the application of
Lee iund was undertaken Our coasts
were practically undefended our navy
needed large provision for increased am
niunitlon and supplies, and even numbers
10 cope with any sudden attack from the
navy or Spain, which comprised modern
vessels Of the highest type of continental
PelIeetlon. our army also required en-
lsrgement OF men and munitions. The
details Of the hurried Preparation for the
dreaded contingency is told in the reports
OF the secretaries of war and navy, and
need not be repeated here. 1t is sufficient
10 say that the outbreak of war, when it
Ga come, found our Nation not unprepared
sion Of coming strife confined to our own
country. 1t was felt by the continental
powers, which, on April 6, through their
ambassadors and ENJOYS, addressed to the
executive an expression of hope that hui
manity and moderation might mark the
course of this government and people, and
that further negotiations would lead to an
agreement which, while securing the main
tenance OF peace, would afford all neces-
or order IN cuba. In responding to that
representation / said l shared the hope
The ENJOYS had expressed = that peace
might be- preserved in a manner to termi-
nate the chronic condition of disturbance
in Cuba so injurious and menacing to our
interests and tranquility, as well shock
while approaching the humanitarian and
disintereSted character of the communica-
ton they had made on behalf of the
powers, 1 stated the confidence of this
government for its part, that equal Zap
probation would be shown for it's own
earnest and unselfish endeavors to fulfill
@ duty to humanity by ending a situa-
tiOn the indefinite prolongation of which
had become insufferable.
Still animated by the hope of q peaceful
solution and obeying the dictates of duty
no /efort was relaxed to bring about
speedy ending of the Cuban struggle Ne
EQUATIONS to this object continued actively
with the government of Spain, looking to the
immediate conclusion of a six months armis-
tice in Cuba with a view to effect the recog-
milton of her peoples right to independence.
Besides this, the instant revocation of the
order Of RECOMMENDATION was asked, so that
The sufferers, returning to their homes, and.
aided by united Spanish and American eff
fort, might be put in a way to support
themselves and for the orderly resumption
OF the well-nigh destroyed productive ener-
6ies Of the island, contribute to the restora-
ton of its tranquility and well-being Ne
gotations continued for some little time at
Madrid, resulting in offers by the Spanish
government which could not but be regarded
as inadequate. 1t was proposed to confide
lament, yet to be convened under the au-
tonomous DEGREES of November, 1897, but
without impairment in any wise Of the con-
stitutional powers of the Madrid govern
ment, which, to that end, would grant an
armistice, If solicited by the insurgents, for
such time as the general-in-chief might see
fit TO fix. How and with what scope of dis
cretiOnary powers the insular Parliament
was expected to set about the preparation"
of peace did not appear. If 1t were to be by
negotiation with the insurgents, the issue
seemed to rest on the one side with body
chosen by a fraction of the electors In the
Districts under Spanish control, and, on the
othsr, with the insurgent population holding
the Interior country. unrepresented in the
so-called Parliament and defiant at the sug-
gestion of suing for peace.
THE APRIL WAR MESSAGE.
Csrieved and disappointed at this barren
outcome of my sincere endeavors to reach
a practical solution, felt it my duty to re-
init the whole question to the Congress. In
the message of April IL, 1898, 1 announced
that, with this last overture in the direction
Of immediate peace in Cuba, and its disap-
pointing reception by Spain, the effort of
the executive was brought to an end. 1
again reviewed the alternative course of ac-
ton which 1 had proposed, concluding that
the only one consonant with international
policy and compatible with our firm-set his
torlcal traditions was Intervention as a neu-
&ral to stop the war and check the hopeless
sacrifice of life, although that resort in
volved hostile constraint upon both the
parties to the contest, well to enforce
truce as to guide the eventual settlement.
The grounds to justify that step were:
The interests OF humanity, the duty to pro-
4ecr the life and property of our citizens in
Cuba, the right to check injury TO our COM
merce and people through the devastation
Of the island, and, most important, the need
of removing at once and forever the con-
slant menace and the burdens entailed upon
our government by the uncertainties and
peris Of the situation caused by the unen-
durable disturbance in Cuba. said:
The long trial has proved that the object
for which Spain Fas waged the war cannot
be attained. The fire of instruction may
flame or may smolder with varying seasons,
but IL has not been, and it is plain that it
cannot be- extinguished by present methods.
Tha only hope of relief and repose from q
condition which can no longer be endured
IS the enforced pacifcation of Cuba. In the
name of humanity in the name of civillza-
fion in behalf of endangered American in
aerests, which give US the right and duty
to speak and to act, the war in Cuba must
stop"
IN view Of all this, the Congress was asked
to authorize and empower the President to
take measures to secure full and final
the people of Cuba, and to secure in the
island the establishment of stable govern
1nent. capable of maintaining order ana or
observing it's international Obligations, IN
surfing peace and tranquility and the secuf-
1ty of its citizens, as well as our own, and
Sor the accomplishment of those ends to use
fha military and naval forces of the United
states as might be necessary with added
authority to continue generous relief to the
starving people of Cuba.
DECLARATION OF WAR.
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 TO the expediency of coupling the pro-
posed action with a 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 ~ to 80 in the Senate and 81 to
IA the House of Representatives, passed the
memorable joint resolution declaring:
IL Ia a OE