The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1898-12-10
SPAIN AND CUBA.
"A Resume of the Conditions which
Led Up to the War.


In my last annual message very full con-
slderation was given TO the question OF
the duty of the government of the United
States toward Spain and the Cuban In
surrCction as being by far the most i'm
portant problem with which We were then
called upon to deal The considerations
then advanced. and the exposition of the
views therein expressed, disclosed my
sense of the extreme gravity of the stu
alton. Setting aside, as logically UNI
founded or practically inadmissble, the
recognition of the independence OF Cuba,
neutral Intervention to end the war by I'M
posing rational compromise between the
contestants, Intervention in favor OF one
or he other party and forcible annexation
OF the island, | concluded II was honestly
due to our friendly relations with Spain
that she should be given reasonable
chance to realize her expectations of re-
form to which she had become irrevocably
committed. Within a few weeks previous
ly she had announced comprehensive plans,
which 1t was confidently asserted would
be efilcacious TO remedy the evils so deep
ly affecting our own country, 50 injurious
TO the true interests of the mother country
as well as to those of Cuba, and so repuG-
nant TO the universal sentiment of hui
manity.
The ensuing month brought little sign of
real progress toward the pacitication of
Cuba. The autonomous administration set
UP In the capital and some of the prin-
cipal cities appeared not to gain the favor
of the inhabitants nor TO be able to extend
their influence to the large extent of ter
ritory held by the insurgents while the
military arm, obviously unable to cope
with the still active rebellion, continued
many of the most Objectionable and often
sive policies of the government that had
preceded 1t. No tangible relief was af-
fordcd the vast numbers of unhappy re-
concentrates despite the reiterated pro-
fessions made in that regard and the
amount appropriated by Spain TO that
end The proffered cNpcdicnt of zones of
cultivation proved ilusory; indeed. no less
practical nor more delusivc promises of
succor could well have been rendered % the
exhausted and destitute people, stripped of
all that made life and home dear and
herded In Il strange region among unsym-
pathetic strangers hardly less cosstous
than themselves.
The war continued on the old footing
without comprehensive plan, developing
only the same spasmodic encounters. bar
rem or strategic result, that had marked the
course of the earlier ten years rebellion as
well as the present Instruction from its
start. No alternative save physical ex-
haustion of either combatant and there
withal the practical ruin of the island lay
In sight. but how far distant no one could
venture to conjecture.
Destruction of the Maine.
At this juncture. on the 18th of Febru-
airy last, occurred the destruction OF the
battleship Maine while rGhtfuliy lying In
the harbor of Havana on "a mission of i'm
ternational courtesy and good villa
catastrophe the suspicious nature and hor-
ror of which stirred the nations heart pro-
foundly II is striking evidence of the
poise and sturdy good sense distinguishing
our national character that this shocking
plow, railing upon generous people, al
ready deeply touched by preceding events
IN Cuba, did not move them to an Instant
desperate resolve to tolerate no longer the
existence of condition of danger and dis
order at our doors that made possible such
a deed by whomsoevcr wrought. Yet the
instinct OF justice prevailed and the nation
anxiously awaited the result of the search
ing investigation at once set on foot The
finding OF the naval board of inquiry estab-
nf fhn t.I,es
external by n submarine mine. and only
matted through lack of positive testimony
TO fix the responsibility of Its authorship.
Action of Congress.
All these things carried conviction TO the
most thoughtful, even before the finding
OF the naval court. that crisis In our re-
lattuns with Spain toward Cuba was at
hahl 80 strong was this belief that It
needed but a brief executive sugges-
diate answer 10 the duty of ma king instant
provision for the possible ana perhaps
speedi;y probable emergency OF war.and the
remarkable, almost unique, spectacle was
houses on the 9th of March. appropriating
$50, 0O0OO0 "for the national defense > ard for
each and every purpose connected there
with. TO be expended at the discretion OF
the president" That this act Of provision
came none too soon was disclosed when the
application Of the fund was undertaken.
Our forts were practically undefended our
navy needed large provision for Increased
bsys 10 cope with any sudden attack from
then OF Spain. which comprised mod
ern vessels Of the highest type OF centi.
mental perfection. Our army also reqtlred
enlargement OF men and munitions. The
details OF the hurried preparation for the
dreaded contingency Is told In the reports
and need not be repeated here II is sum
Client to say that the outbreak OF the
war. when IL did come, found our nation not
unprepared to meet the conflict.