The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-12
INTERVENTION.
The Presidents Reasons for Asking
Power to Stop HOstiIities.


There remain the alternative forms of
intervention to end the war; either as an
impartial neutral by imposing a rational
compromise between the contestants, or as
the active ally of the one party or the other.
AS to the first, it is not to be forgotten
that during the last few months the rela-
ton of the United States has virtually
been one of friendly Intervention in many
ways, each rot of itself conclusive but all
tending to the exertion of a potential influ-
ence toward an ultimate pacific result, just
and honorable to all interests concerned.
The spirit of all our acts hitherto has been
an earnest. unselfish desire for peace and
prosperity in Cuba, untarnished by differen-
ces between us and Spain and unstained by
the blood of American citizens.
The forcible Intervention of the United
States as neutral, to stop the war, ac-
cording to the large dictates Of humanity
and following many historical precedents
where neighboring states have interfered
to check the hopeless sacrifices of life by
internecine conflicts beyond their borders,
is justihabIe rational grounds. 1t in
wolves, however, hostile constraint upon
both parties to the contest, as we'll to
enforce truce as to guide the eventual
settlement. The grounds for such inter-
vention may be briefly summarized as fol-
lows:
First-In the cause Of humanity and to
put end to the barbarities, bloodshed
starvation and horrible miseries now exist
ing there, and which the parties to the
conflict are either unable or unwilling to
stop or mitigate. It is no answer to say
this is all in another country, belonging
to another nation and is therefore none of
fc all dt1fx fot
it is right at our door.
Second-We owe it to our citizens in Cuba
to afford them that protection and iudem-
nifty for life and property which no gov
eminent there can or will afford, and to
that end to terminate the conditions that
deprive them of legal protection.
Third-The right to intervene may be JUS
titled by the very serious injury to the COM
merce, trade and business OF our people,
and by the wanton destruction of property
and devastation of the island.
Fourth-And which is of the utmost inn
portance: The present condition of affairs
in Cuba is a constant menace to our peace,
and entails upon this government enormous
expense. With such a. conflict waged for
years in an island so near us and with
which our people have such trade and bust
ness relations-when the lives and liberty
of our citizens are in constant danger and
their property destroyed and themselves
ruined-where our trading vessels are liable
to seizure and are seized at our very door
py war ships of foreign nation,
the expeditions of filibustering that we are
powerless to repress altogether and the ir-
rtating questions and entanglements thus
srising-all these and theirs that need not
mention. with the resulting strained rela-
tons are constant menace to our peace
and compel us to keep on a semi-war foot
ing with a nation with which we are at
peace.
THE MAINE INCIDENT.
These elements of danger and disorder al
ready pointed out have been strikingly Illus
trated by 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 battle ship Maine i'm the
harbor of Havana during the night of the
18th of February. The destruction of that
noble vessel has filled the national heart
with inexpressible horror. Two hundred
and fifty-eight brave sailors and marines
and two officers of our navy, reposing in
the fancied security of a friendly harbor
have been hurled to death, grief and want
brought to their homes and sorrow to the
Nation. The naval court of inquiry which,
it is needless to say, commands the I'M
qualified confidence of the government, was
unanimous in its conclusion that the de-
struction of the Maine was caused by an
exterior explosion. that of a submarine
mine. 1t did not assume to place the re-
sponsibility That remains to be fixed. In
any event the destruction of the Maine, by
whatever exterior cause. is patent and
impressive proof OF Il state of things I'm
Cuba that is intolerable That condition is
thus shown TO be such that the Spanish
government cannot assure safety and Sc
eurity to a vessel of the American navy in