The Owosso times., 1898-12-09
CONGRESS ASKED TO ACT.
Whole Question Submitted to Legis-
latOrs on April IL.

4
| Grieved and disappointed at this barren
| outcome of my sincere endeavors to reach
! practical solution, l felt 1t my duty to re-
| nit the whole question to the congress.
| In the message of April IL, 1898, announced
| that with this last overture in the direc-
tion OF immediate peace in Cuba, and its
disappointing reception by Spain, the eff
! fort Of the executive was brought to an
end. l again reviewed the alternative
course of action which 1 had proposed,
, concluding that the only one consonant
with international policy and compatible
with our frm-set historical traditions was
intervention as neutral to stop the war
and check the hopeless sacrifice of life.
even though that resort involved hostile
constraint upon both the parties to the
contest, as well to enforce truce as to
guide the eventual settlement"
The grounds justifying that step were
The interests OF humanity; the duty to
protect life and property Of our citizens in
Cuba; the right 10 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 perils of the situation caused by the
uncomfortable disturbance in Cuba. l said:
THE long trial has proved that the OBJ
1ect for which Spain has waged the war
cannot be attained. The fire Of insurrec-
tion may flame or may smolder with vary
ing seasons, but 1t has not been, and ii is
plain that II cannot be, extinguished by
present methods. The only hope of relief
longer be endured is the enforced pacifi-
cation of Cuba. In the name of humanity.
dangered American interests which give
us the right and the duty TO speak and to
actual war in Cuba, must stop"
In view of all this, the congress was
asked to authorize and empower the pres.
ident to take measures to secure full and
final termination of hostilities between Spain
and the people of Cuba, and to secure to the
island the establishment of stable govern
ment. capable Of maintaining order and
observing Its international obligations, in
suring peace and tranquility. and the Sc
curity of its citizens as well as our own.
and for the accomplishment of those ends
United States as might be necessary, with
added authority to ntinue generous re-
lief to the starving people OF Cuba.
Action of Congress Approved.
The response of the congress. after nine
days of earnest deliberation, during which
the almost unanimous sentiment OF your
body was developed on every point save
posed action with a formal recognition of
the republic of Cuba as the true and lawful
government, Of that island-a proposition
after conference, on the 10Th Of April, by
q vote of AZ to 35 In the senate and 81 to
in the house Of representatives, passed the
First. That the people OF the island of
Cuba are, and of right ought to be. free
Second. That it is the duty of the United
States to demand and the government of
the United States does hereby demand, the
government of Spain at once relinquish ito
authority and 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 20 use the entire land and naval
forces OF the United states h and % 70 cal into
the militia of the several states. to such
extent as 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
thereof, and asserts its determinat ton when
that is accomplished to leave the govern
ment and control of the island to It's peo-
ple.'
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
Washington. leaving the protection OF
Spanish interests in the United States to
Hungarian minister. simultaneously with
its communication to the Spanish minister
Gen. Woodford. the American minister at
Madrid. was t%elegraphe,d % eonnrmatlon ,a t,.i oi
to communicate IL to the government OF
Spain with the formal demand that 1t 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 20 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 21, but before he could
present II, the Spanish minister OF state
notified him that upon the presidents ap.
proval Of the Joint resolution the Madric
government, regarding the act as "equiva
lent to an evident deca ation OF war;, ha
ordered its minister In Washington to with