New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-06

>~oro the navy Of Spain which comprised mod
ern vessels Of the highest type OF continental
perfection. Our Army also required enlarge
ment Of men and munitions The details OF inc
hurried preparation for the dreaded contingency
are told In the reports Of the secretaries OF war
and Of the Navy and need not he repeated mere.
II is sufficient to say that the outbreak OF
war; when il did come. cound our Nauoh ho' u"-
prepared TO meet the conflict
Nor was the apprehension OF coming sure
confined TO our own country. 1t was felt by
the Continental Powers. which. on Apri w.
through their ambassadors and ENJOYS. adj
dressed to the Executive an expression OF nope
that humanity and moderation might mark the
course OF this Government and people and that
further negotiations would lead to an agree
rnent which. while securing the maintenance OF
reace. would afford all necessary guarantees Tor
the re-establlshment Of order in Cuba In re,
sponding to that representation, sara l. shd. u
the hope the ENJOYS had expressed thdt ''.0
peace might be preserved in manner ~ in
nate the chronic condition of disturnahCe ~
Cuba so injurious AMI nlenacing 10 our Hl'eieS'o
and tranquility. we'll as shocking 10 VuI
sentiments Of humanity: and While atPIec," '',s &c
the humanitarian and dSinterested craractri ot
the communication they had made on nehaIi "a
the Powers stated the confidence oi 'il'S '. w.
eminent for its part that equal app app seIf
would be shown for its own earnest ana u.Se,t
ish endeavors to fulfil duty or hnnahilF ny
ending a situation the indefinite prolongatlon
Of which had become insuiferapie
Peaceful EFFORTS CONTINUED
Still animated by the hope OF pc aceful soiu-
tion and obeyirg the dictates 81 ou'!' "o
fort was relaxed to bring about specify emu
ing OF the Cuban struggle. Negotiations 10 'h'o
object continued ACTIVELY with the government
OF SPAIN looking to the immediate Cohc'uSo"
a, q six months arnstce in Cuba. with a VIEW
IN effect the recognition OF her peoples ilshl ID
independence Besides this the instant Te'oo"-
ton OF the order of RECOMMENDATION was asked 50
that the sufferers returning TO tfe!r romes anu
aided by the United States and spanish ehoi''
might be put in way 10 support tEemseNeS'
and. bv orderly resumption of the we!inlgh "e-
s,royed productive energies OF the Island co-i
tribute the restoration OF ks 'la'I"-''''' $500
Tecotjations contirued for some little time a.
Madrid resulting in offers by the SpahlSE ~,
ernment which could not but b. legardeo az
;radeouaie II was proposed 10 coniice me
prepara ton Of peace 10 the lnsulaT pdll!"in',''
vet TO be convened under we autonomous , DC
cress Of November l>9' hut WITHOUT iIiipa snrs
rnent in any wise Of the CONSTITUTIONAL powers
~ the Madrid Government. which, 10 mat emo
would grant an armistice. II solicited ny lhe ~
surgents for such time as the general III ci.ei
,nirh, see f.. 10 fix. How and with what scope
~ discretionary powers the insular parllameh.
vas expected to set about the preparation Oh
peace did not appear. II IT were TO be ny neso-
t!atjon with the insurgents the issue seemed ~
res. IN the one sid. with a body chosen by
traction OF the electors In the districts undsF
Spanish control and on the other WIN the III
surgent population holding the interior couI,.
INV unrepresented III the so-cGlled parliament
and defiant at the suggestion OF sung Tor peace
THE QUESTION RENTED TO CONGRESS-
Griovcd and disappointed at this barren out
,or,a ~ my sincere endeavors 10 reach prac-
,,cahla solution. felt ii my duty TO remit the
whole question 10 the Congress. In the mes
sage Of April H. 1898. announced that with
this last overture in the direction Of immediate
neace in Cuba and its disappointing reception
nv Snain the effort of the executive was
brought 10 an end. | again reviewed the al
Tentative courses Of action which had been pro-
posed concluding that the only ore consonant
with international policy and compatible with
our firm. set historical traditions was lnterVeh-
ton as neutral TO stop the war ara creek 'he
hopeless sacrifice of life even though That re-
sort involved .hostile constraint uion polh 'he
parties 10 the contest. rs well 10 enforce d
truce as to guide the eventual settlement
The grounds justifylng that step were me IT.
terests o. humanity. the duty TO protect the III ,
md prOpe ~ Of our citizens in CUBA; the rlsHl
10 che k injury 10 our commerce ara people
through the devastation Of the island, ana most
important. the need of removing at once ana
forever the constant menace ana the pu'ueHs
eniailed upon car Government by the uncer-
tainties and perils of the situation caused by
the unendurahe disturbance in Cuba SAID
The long trial has proved that the object FOR
which Spain has waged the war cannot be at
tanned The fire Of insulrcctiCn may flame or
may shoulder. shoulder with varying seasons
but IL has not been and il is plain that II can
not be extinguished by present methods The
only hope Of relief and repose from a condition
which can no longer be endured is the enforced
paciication of Cuba. In the name OF humanity,
In the name of civilization, in behalf OF endan-
right and the duty 10 speak and 10 act. the war
In Cuba must stop.
In view OF all this. the Congress was asked
TO authorize and empower the President 10 take
measures 10 secure full and final termination
OF hostilities between Spain and the people or
Cuba, and 10 secure in the island the estaphsh-
ment Of sta bic government. ca pable OF maintain
ing order and observing its international obll-
cations, insuring peace and tranquility. and the
security Of its citizens as well as our own, and
for the accomplishment OF those ends - use
the military and naval forces Of the United
States as might be necess i.y. with added au-
thority TO continue generous relief &c the starV-
ing people OF Cuba
The response OF the Congress. AFTER nine DAYS
OF earnest deliherat"r. during which the almost
unanimous senti:Neat OF your BODY was de-
veloped on every point save as to the eNpediency
OF coupling the proposed action with a formal
recognition of the Republic Of Cuba as the true
and Lawful government OF tina. island-a propc-
sition which failed Of adoption-the Congress:
after conference OF April IL by vote O. IL
TO 50 in the Senate and 81 10 in the House
OF Representatives passed the memorable join.
resolution. declaring.
"Frst-That the people Of tho island of Cuba
are and OF right ought 10 be free and indie
pendent.
"Second-That It is the duty Of the United
States 10 demand. and the Government OF the
United States does hereby demand that the
Government Of Spain once relinquish its
thority and government in the island Of cuba
and withdraw Its land and naval forces from
Cuba and Cuban waters
"Third-That the President os the United
States be. and he hereby is directed and en-
powered to the entire land and naval forces
OF the United States and to call into the actual
service OF the United States the militia or the
several States. to such extent as may be neces-
sary To carry these resolutions into effect
"Fourth--Tnat the United States hereby dis
claims any disposition or intention to exercise
sovereignty. jurisdiction contro, over said
island. except for the pacification thereof. and