The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1898-04-21
nection is made to recent diplomatic cor

"A 0kSQatCu lEOIu OuI MINISTER 10 0V8lu
of the 26th ultimo contained that the
Spanish minister for foreign affairs as
sured him positively that Spain will do all
that the highest honor and justice re-
quire in the matter of the Maine.
The reply also referred to of the 31st
ultimo also contained an expression OF
the readiness of Spain to submit to arbi-
tration all the differences which can arise
In this matter, which is subsequently ex-
planned by the note OF, the Spanish minis
ter at Washington Of the 10th inst as
follows:
AS to the question of fact which
springs from the diversified views between
representatives of the American and the
Spanish boards. Spain proposes that the
fact be ascertained by an impartial In
vestigafion by experts, which decision
Spain accepts in advance. To this have
made no reply"
Another Precedent.
President Grant, in 1876, in discussing the
purposes of the Cuban contest as 1t then
appeared, and the hopeless and apparent
indefinite prolongation Of such event, said:
Il am of the opinion that other nations
Will be compelled to assume the RESPONSE
bility which devolves upon them, and to
seriously consider the only remaining
measures possible-mediation and inter-
vention. Owing. perhaps, to the large ex-
-panse OF water. separating the island from
the peninsula, the contending parties ap-
pear to have within themselves no depos-
TORY OF common confidence to suggest
wisdom when passion and excitement
nave their sway. and thus assume the
part of peacemaker"
In this view in the early days of the con-
nfH Of = |,
as the mediator were rendered in good
faith without any selfish purpose in the
interest OF humanity and sincere friend
snip 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 intima ton has
been received that in the opinion of Spain
that that time has been reached: yet the
strife continues with all its dread horrors
and It's injuries to the United States and
other nations. Each party seems quite
capable Of working great injury and dam
age to the other as well as to all the rela-
tons and interests dependent on the exist
ence Of peace in the island: but they
seem incapa BILE of reaching any agreement,
and both have thus far failed of achieving
and success whereby one party shall pos
sess and control the island to the exclu-
sion Of the other.
Under the circumstances the agency of
others. either by mediation or by inter-
vention seems to be the only alternative
which must sooner or later be involved
for the termination Of the strife
In the last annual message Of my i'm
mediate predecessor during the pending
struggle. 1t was said:
When the inability of Spain to deal
successfully with the insurrection has be-
come manifest. and IL demonstrated that
her sovereignty Is extinct in Cuba, for all
purposes Of its rightful existence, and
when hopeless struggle for its re-estab-
lishment has degenerated into the strife
which means nothing more than the USE
less sacrifice of human life and the utter
destruction of the very subject-matter of
the conflict, situation will be presented in
which our obligations to the sovereignty
OF Spain will be superseded by higher OBJ
legations which we can hardly hesitate to
recognize and discharge"
In my annual message to congress De-
cember last, speaking to this question,
said:
whether the indispensable condition of a
righteous peace, just alike to the Cubans
and Spain, as well as equitable to all our
interests, so intimately involved in the
welfare OF Cuba, is likely to be attained.
If not, other action by the United States
will remain to be taken; when that time
comes the action will be determined in the
line If indisputable right of duty; 1t will
be faced without misgtving or hesitancy
In the light of the obligation this govern
ment owes to itself. to the people who con-
fided the protection of their interests and
honor and to humanity.
Sure of the right. keeping free from all
offense ourselves, actuated by upright
and patriotic considerations, moved Meth
AK H.
ment will continue its watchful care over
the rights and property of American citi-
zens, and will abate none OF its efforts
to bring about by peaceful agencies
peace which shall be honorable and endur-
ing. If 1t shal. hereafter appear to be
duty imposed by our obligations to our
selves. to civilization and to humanity
to intervene with force, 1t shall be without
fault en- our part and only because the
necessity .o1 such action will be so clear
as to con- D,and the support and approval
Of the civilized world"
Intervention the Only Hope.
The long trial has proved that the OBJ
ject for which Spain has waged war
cannot be attained. The fire Of insur-
rection may flame or may smolder with
varying seasons, but 1t has not been and
it IS plain that 1t cannot be extinguished
by present methods. The only hope of re-
lief and repose from condition which
cannot longer be endured is the enforced
pacification of Cuba.
In the name of humanity, in the name
of civilization, in behalf 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
doro
ask congress to authorize and empower
the president ito take measures to Sc
cure q full termination OF hostilfties be-
tween the government Of Spain and the
people Of Cuba, and to secure In the
island the establishment Of stable gov
eminent capable of maintaining order
and. observing its international obliga-
lions. insuring peace and tranquility and
the security of its citizens as well as
our own, and to use the military and
naval force Of the United States as may
be necessary for these purposes and In
the interest OF humanity, and to aid In
preserving the lives of the starving peo-
ple Of the island l recommend that the
distribution Of food and supplies be con-
tinued and that an appropriation be made
out Of the public treasury to supple
ment the charity Of our citizens
The issue IL now with congress-: 1t -
solemn responsibility: have exhausted
every EFFORT to relieve the intolerable con-
dition Of affairs which II at our doors.
Prepared to execute every obligation Inn.
posed upon me by the constitution and
law, await your action.
suafnss Last Subterfuge.
Yesterday and since the preparation Of
the foreeOing message omciai information
wss received ~ me that the latest 4ecree
of the queen regent Of Spain directs Gen-
er.3 B,snco, il order . prepare And fecil-