Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-06

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peoples right to independence. Besides
TINS, the instant revocation of the order
OF reconcentration was asked so that the
sufferers, returning to their homes and
a affn py united American and Spanish
Effort, might be put i'll Il way to support
themselves and. by orderly resumption of
the Weil-niSh destroyed productive ener-
g!es OF the island. contribute TO the restor-
dtioh OF ITS tranquility and well beng
Negotiations continued for some little
LllAe at Madrid, resulting in offers by the
spanish government, which could not but
De regarded as inadequate | was pro
posea 10 confide the preparation of peace
70 the lnsular parliament, yet TO be con-
vtned under the autonomus DEGREES of
November, 1897, but without impairment
~ any vase OF the constitutional powers
OF the MADRID government which to that
eiid, would grant an armiStice. ii solicit ed
by the Insurgents for such time as the
Senerai N chief might see fit to fix
Grieved and disappointed at this barren
outcome OF my sincere endeavors to reach
q practicable solution. | felt y my duty
TO remit the whole question to Congress-
In the message of April II, 1898 / an
nounced that with this last overture IN
the direction of immediate peace in Cuba
ana lts disappointing reception by SPAN.
the effort of the. Executive was brought
10 an end. | again reviewed the alterna-
i've course of action which had been pre-
posed, concluding that the only one con-
corpao be with our firm-Set historical
traditions, was Intervention as neutral
10 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 settle
nent."
The President continues: THE grounds
}usNfylng that step We're the interests of
humanity: the duty to protect the life
ana property of our citizens in Cuba; the
to,
and people through the devastation of
he island, and, most important the need
of removing at once and forever the con-
slant menace and the burdens cntailed
upon our government by the uncertain
ties and periS of the situation caused bv
the uncomfortable disturbance in Cuba
In view OF all this, the Congress was
asked to authorize and empower the Pres
ldenc to take measures to secure a full
ana final termination of hostilities be
tween Spain and the people of Cuba and
to secure in the island the establishment
of d stable government, capable of MAIN
taining order and observing its internal
tional obligations, insuring peace and
tranquility. and the security of its citi-
zens as well as our own, and for the
accomplishment of those ends to use the
military and naval forces of the United
States as might be necessary, with added
authority to continue generous relief to
the starving people Of Cuba.
The response of Congress, after nine
days of earnest deiiberation, on April -
by n vote of Y to 80 in the Senate and
81 to 6 in the House of Representatives,
passed the memorable joint resolution de
claring:
"F'irst-That the people Of the island of
Cuba are and of right ought to be free
and independent.
'.Second-That it is the duty of the
United States to demand and the gov
ernment of the United States does here
by demand, that the government Of SPAN
at once relinquish it's authority and gov
crnment in the island Of Cuba and with
draw its land and naval forces from Cuba
and Cuban waters
'"Third-That the President of the
United States be, and is hereby directed
and empowered to use the entire land and
naval forces of the United States, and to
call into the actual service of the United
States the militia of the several states,
to such an extent as may be necessary to
carry these resolutions into effect.
"Fourtll-That the United States hereby
disclainas any disposition or intention to
exercise sovereignty. jurisdiction or con
troll over said island, except Tor me pacill-
cation thereof, and asserts its determine
ton when that is accomplished to leave
the government and control of the island
to its people.
executive on the next DAY, April 20. A
copy was at once communicated 10 the
Spanish minister at this Capital,
who forthwith announced that his
continuance in Washington had thereby
become impossible and asked for
his passports. which were given him. he
tIcrpnDOn W1lIuTtN ITOlil w WI;
leaving the protection of Spanish inter
ests in the United States to the French
ambassador and the Austro- 5frhth
minister. simultaneously with TINS con con
munication to the Spanish minister, t"n
\. oodford. the American minister at ND
drd. was telegraphed confrmatlon OF the
text Of the Joint resolution and directed
to communicate it to the goNefnme.t Oh
Spain with the formal demand that IL at
once reiinquish its authority and govern
ment i'm the island of Cuba ana WltadVaw
its forces therefrom, coupilns ', ne ie-
iantiai,s Of this government as to the
future of the island. in conformity VIII WIZ
the fourth clause OF the fesoiuti ~, o; gnu
giving Spain until noon on apr" % -
Fiat demand, although as aboye
shown. officially made known , 70 IN
~ Wadri6 After the instructions nae
rcached Cen, Woodford on the mornihS
of April q, but before he could present, IT,
tbn .srarish minister notified MN that
unon the Presidents approval OF the ]oiHt
rnsoi,,tion. the Madrid government. &c
r4rlis1er the act ''as equivalent 70 an cyl
dent declaration OF wal, mao uaqTISr w, W.
tharnbv breaking oft diploma,ic feiS-
tinne between the two couael.'ts
ana ceasing all official conlmunic3tloIi
between their respective represent tiV g.
CIV Woodfora theTeupon d5inanued ms
y ,o ana Quilted Maurid the same
day. .,,,e denied t.le demand
7t IN r3ntted states and initiated that
oa,,nio.e form of rupture OF feiatloiis
n1ti,t .tteuds Il state of war. the eAecu-
tive powers authorized oS In ,.1t he en-
~ r.Sad contingency OF acinal "s:r al Pc
tween sovereign states. pa Aptiil -
nrocIai,nea a blockade OF tue il y, go &C.,
- -, Including ports on sag coast ce
81 Guy r.1essas and Bahia Honda ana
~ ~ s,'.t II t'teufuegoS on Inc santtl coaS
5.Se , ' and on the Esd ] called FOR Voi-