New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-12

door by warships Of foreign nation the eN
petitions of Administering that we are Po"eriess
altogether to prevent and the irritating ques-
tons and acknowledgements thus arisng-ali these
and others that l need not mention Win the re-
sultlng strained relations. are a constant menace
to our peace and compel us to keep on a semi
war footing with a war nation with which we
are at peace
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE MAINE
These elements Of danger and disorder already
pointed out have been strkngly illustrated by
a tragic event which has deeply and justly
moved the American people. have already
transmitted to Congress the report Of the Naval
Court Of Inquiry on the destruction Of the bat
tle-ship Maine in the harbor Of Havana durinG
the night Of the 18th Of February. The destruc-
ton Of that noble vessel has filed the National
heart with ncxpressbe horror. Two hundred
and nfy-eiGht brave sailors and marines ana
two officers Of our Navy. reposing In the fancied
security Of friendly harbor have been hur'ed
10 death. grief and want brought TO their homes
and sorrow to the Nation.
Tho Naval Court Of Inquiry. which, 1t Is need
less TO say commands the unqualified confidence
Of the Government unanimous In It's cohciu-
sion that the destruction OF the Maine vas
caused by an exterior explosion. that of sub
marine mine. 1t did not ASSUME 70 place the
responsibility That remains to be fixed.
In any event the destruction Of the Maine. by
whatever exterior cause, Is a patent ana I'M
prcssivc proof Of a state Of things In Cuba mat
is intolerahe. That condition is thus shown to
be such that the Spanish Government cannot
assure safety and security to n vessel of the
American Navy in the harhor Of Havana on
a mission Of peace and rightfully there.
.l.s. To
diplomatic correspondence dispatch from our
Minister to Spain Of the 10Th ut.. contained
the statement that the Spanish Minister for
Foreign Affairs assured him positively that
Spain will do all that the highest honor and
Justice required I'm tho matter of the Maine. The
reply above referred to Of the 3lst ult. also
contained an expression of the readiness of
Spain TO submit to arbitration all the diff
fercnces 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: LAS to the question OF fact when
springs from the diversity OF views between the
report Of the American and Spanish boards
Spain proposes that the fact be ascertained by
an impartial investigation by experts. whose
decision Spain accepts in advance
To this have made no reply
PRESIDENT GRANTS OPINION.
President Grant in 1879. after discussing the
phases Of the contest it then appeared and
its hopeless and apparent indefinite prolonga-
ton. said
In such event am OF opinion that other ma
tons Will be compelled TO assume the response
bnity which devolves upon them. and 10 serious
" consider the only remaining measures posi-
BILE mediation and Intervention. Owing. perhaps.
TO the large expanse 81 water separating the
island from the peninsula the contend
ing parties appear TO have within themselves no
depository Of common confidence. TO suggest
wisdom when passion and excitement have their
sway. and To assume tho part Of peacemak"r.
In this view in the earlier days OF the contest.
the good Offices OF the United States as a media
tor were rendered In good faith. without any
selfish purpose. IN the interest OF humanity and
in sincere friendship for both parties but were
at the time declined 10y Spain with the declara
ton nevertheless that at future time they
would be Indispensable No lnimation has been
received that in the opinion OF Spain that time
has been reached And yet the strife continues
with all It's dread horrors and all it, injuries
10 the interests 81 the United States md -
other nations. Each party seems quit" capahl"
Of working great injury and damage 20 the
other. as well 90 10 all the relations and In
terests dependent on the existence OF peace In
the island but they seem Incapable ~ reach
ing any adjustment. and both have thus FAR
failed Of achieving any success whereby one
marty shall possess and control the island 10 the
exclusion Of the other Under the circumstances.
the agency Of others either by mediation or by
Intervention. seems 10 he the only alternative
which must sooner later. be invoked for the
termination Of the strife.
In the last annual message Of my immediate
predecessor during the pending struggle II was
said
When the inability Of Spain to deal success
fully with the instruction has become manifest
and it is demonstrated that her sovereignty is
extinct IN Cuba for all purposes OF It's rightful
existence and when a hopeless struggle for its
re-establishment has degeneratcd into a strife
which means nothing more than the useless sac
rifce Of human NE and the utter destruction Of
the very subject matter OF the conflict. situa-
ton will be presented 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"
In my annual Message to Congress- December
last. speaking TO this question. ! said.
THE near future viii demonstrate whether the
condition OF righteous peace. just
alike to the Cubans and TO Spain. rs well as
equitable to all our interests so intimately
involved In me "tfare OF 'upi' ~ Hheiy 10 d"
attained II not. the cxigency OF further and
other action by tho United States Will remain e.
be taken. When that time comes that action
will be determined In the line Of indisputable
right and duty. 1t will be faced. without mis-
giving or hcsi:lncy. In the light OF the oblga
ton this Governmon owes 10 Itself. 10 the pco-
pie who have conndcd to II the protection OF
their interests and honor. and to humanity. Sure
of the right. keeping free from all offence our
selves. actuai~d only by upright and PATRIOTS
ccnsideratio tons, moved neither by passion nor
The faster Key.
docinr Nyiln