Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-04-14


Third-The right to Intervene may be justi-
fed by the very serious injury TO the com
msa &c. 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
pcrtance. The present condition OF affairs In
Cuba is a constant menace to our people, and
entails upon this government an eiurmous ex-
pense. With such a conflict waged for years
on an island so near US and with which our
people have such trade and business 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 ar
test at our very door by war vessels OF other
nations. the expeditions OF hlibustering that We
are powerlsss TO prevent altogether. and the
Irritating questions and entanglements thus
arising AL these and others that / need not
mention with the resulting strained relations
are a constant menace TO our PEACE. and COM
pei us TO keep on a semi-war footing with a
nation with which we are at peace,
Wreck of the Maine.
These elements OF danger AMI disorder al
ready pointed out have been strikingly Illus
trated by a tragic event which has deeply
and justly moved the American people. / have
already 10 congress the report OF
the naval court OF inquiry on the destruction
OF the battleshlp Maine in the harbor OF
Havana during the night OF the 10Th of Feb
ruary. The destruction Of thai noble vessel
has filed the nations heart with mex
pressibl horror. Two hundred and ffty-nine
brave sailors and marines and two officers OF
our navy were reposing in the fancied security
OF a friendly barber, when hurled TO death
grief and want brought to their homes and
sorrow TO the nation.
The naval court OF inquiry. which is need.
less to say, commands unqualified confidence
OF the government, was unanimous in its con-
clusion that the destruction of the Maine was
caused BY an exterior explosion. that of a sub
marine mine. II did not assume to place the
responsibility. That remains to be fixed.
In any event the destruction of the Maine.
by whatever exterior cause, is a patent and
n nFaCGiXR TnH nf n nf hfn In Afhl
that is intolerab;e. That condition is thus
shown to be such that the Spanish govern
nsent cannot assure safety and security 70 a
vessel Of the American navy in the harbor
Of Havana. on a mission Of peace and right
fully there.
Further referring in this connection to recent
diplomatic correspondence. a dispatch from
our minister to Spain. OF the Goth ultimo. con-
tanned the statement that the Spanish minis
that Spain will do all that the highest honor
and justice require in the matter OF the
Maine.
Arbitration Proposed.
The reply above referred TO. OF the 3lst Ill
timo, also contained an expression of the read
mess OF Spain to submit to an arbitration all
the differences 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:
"As to the question OF ract which springs
frcm the diversity Of views between the rep
resentatives OF the American and Spanish
boards, Spain proposes that that fact be ascer-
tanned by an impartial investigation by ex-
perts. which decision Spain accepts in adj
vance"
To this made no reply.
President Grant. in 1875, after discussing the
phases of the contest as IL then appeared, and
it's hopeless and apparent indefinite prolonga-
tiot, said:
IN such event, / am Of opinion that other
nations will be compelled TO assume the re-
sponsibility which dsvolves upon them, and to
seriously consider the only remaining meas
ures Observation-Disclosures and intervention.
Owing perhaps. TO the large expanse of water
separating the island from the peninsula, the
contending parties appear to have within Them
selves no depository of common confidence. to
suggest wisdom when passion and excitement
have their sway, and assume the part of peace
maker. In this view, In the earlier days or the
contest the good offices Of the United states
as a mediator were rendered in good faith.
without any selfish purposes, In the interest
of humanity and in sincere friendship Tor both
parties, but were at the time declined by
Spain, with the declaration. nevertheless. that
at a future time they would be Indispensable.
No intimation has been received that, In the
opinion of Spain, that time has been reached.
And yet the strife continues with all its dread
horrors and all it's injuries TO the interests or
the United States and of other nations. Each
party seems quite capable OF working great
injury and damage to the other. as well as TO
All the relations and interests dependent on the
existence OF peace IN the island; but they seem
incapable of reaching any adjustment. ana
both have thus far failed of achieving any
success whereby one party shall possess and
control the island to the exclusion OF the other.
Under the circumstances. the agency or others.
10 he the only alternative which must. sooner
or later. be invoked for the termination or the
strife"
Cleveland Quoted.
In the last annual message Of my imme-
date predecessor during the pending strug-
when the inability of Spain to deal sue
c~essfully with the insurrection has become
manifest. and it Is demonstrated that her
to axtincf in Cg-laa for all nurDOSe3
OF its rightful existence and when a hopeless
struggle for its re-establishment has degen-
Grated into a strife which means notning more
than the Useless sacrifice OF human life and
the utter destruction of the very subject mat
ter OF the conflict, a situation VIII De pre-
scented in which our ooiigatons 20 tne s1wvssa-
obligations. which we can hardly hestitats
TO recognize and discharge
In my annual message to congress. Decemoer
last. speaking on this question, l said:
1.-The near future will be demonstrate wneth-
er the indispensable condition of a righteous
peace. just alike to the Cubans and to spain.
"a we'll as equitable to all our interest, so
intimately involved in the welfare or Cuba, is
likely 10 be attained. Ii not, the exigency or
further and other action by the United states
will remain to be taken. When that time
comes that action will be determined in the
line Of indisputabls right and duty. 1t WIZ
be faced without misgtving or hesitancy III the
light OF the obligation this government owes
TO itself, to the people who have confided to II
the protection of their interests and honor
and to humanity.
Sure of the right keeping from all at
Tense ourselves, actuaIed only by upright ana
patriotic considerations, moYed neither by
passion nor selhshness. the government VIII
continue its watchfuI care over the rights
and property OF American citizens aid viii
abate none OF its efforts to bring about by
peaceful agencies a peace which shall Dc
honorable and enduring. II II shall hereafter
appear to be a duty imposed by our obligations
to ourselves, to civilization and humanity 70
intervene with force, II shall be without fault
- z- -.sk nDa on1u haAanaa the nprQg4itY
for such action will be so clear as 10 COM
mand the support and approval OF the civilized
world"
The long trial has proved that the object for
which Spain has waged the war cannot be at
tained. The fire OF insurrection may flame or
may shoulder with varying seasons, out It
has not been, and 1t Is plain that II cannot be
extinguished by present methods. The only
hope of relief and repose from a condition
which cannot longer be endured. Is the en-
forced pacihcation of Cuba In the name or
humanity, in the name OF civilization. In be-
half OF endangered American interests which
give us the right and the duty to speak and
to act.
The War in Cuba Must Stop.
In view of these facts and Il ese considera-
| lions. I ask the congress to authorize and en-
noyar the president to take measures to se-
cure a fun and complete termination OF hos
| tiiities between the government of Spain and
the people Of Cuba, and to secure In the island
- - ~-