Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-12


our people have such trade and business
relations; where the lives and liberty OF
our citizens are in constant danger, ana
their property destroyed and themselves
ruined; where our trading vessels are la-
BILE TO seizure and are seized at our very
doors. by warships of a foreign natoh'
the expeditions OF filibustering that we
are powerless to prevent altogether. ana
the irritating questions and entangle-
ments thus arising-all these and others
that | need not mention. with the result
ing strained relations. are constant me-
naces TO our peace, and compel us to keep
on the semi-war footing with a nation
with which we are at peace.
THE MAINE DISASTER.
"These elements of danger and disorder
already pointed out have been strikinSly
Illustrated by a tragic event which has
deeply and justly moved the American
people | have already transmitted to
Congress the report Of the naval court OF
INQUIRY on the destruction of the battle
ship Maine i'm the harbor of Habana du-
ring the night of the 18th of February.
The destruction of that noble vessel has
filled the national heart with ineXpressl-
bic horror. Two hundred and hfty-eight
brave sailors and marines, and two ON
GERS of our navy, repQsing in the fancied
security of a friendly harbor, have been
hurled to death, grief and want brought
Il their homes. and sorrow to the nation.
THE naval court of inquiry, which, II
is needless 10 say. commands the unquah-
fed confidence of the government, was
unanimous in its conclusion that the de-
struction Of the Maine was caused by an
exterior explosion. that of a submarine
70 TlqDn
sponsibility. That remains to be fixed.
In any event, the destruction Of the
Maine. by whatever exterior cause, is
patent and impressive proof Of a state of
things in Cuba that is intolerable. That
condition is thus shown to be such that
the Spanish Government cannot assure
safety and security to vessel OF the
American navy in the harbor Of Habana
on a mission Of peace and rightfully
there.
ARBITRATION.
"Further. referring in this connection
TO recent diplomatic, correspondence
note addressed to our Minister 10 Spain,
contained the statement that the Spanish
Minister for foreign affairs assured him
positively that Spain would do all that
the highest honor and justice required In
the matter of the Maine. The reply
above referred to, of the ultimo, also
contained an expression OF the readiness
Of Spain to submit to arbitration all the
differences which can arise in this mat
fer which is subsequently explained by
note from the Spanish Minister at WASH
ington on the 10th instant, as follows:
las TO the question of fact which
springs from the diversity OF views be-
tween the reports Of the American and
Spanish boards. Spain proposes that the
fact be ascertained by an impartial IN
vestigation by experts, whose decision
Spain accepts in advance.
''ro this / have made no reply.
president Grant, in 1877, after discuss
ING the phases Of the contest as it then
appeared. and its hopeless and apparent
~ indefinite prolongation, said: In such
event | am Of opinion that other nations
will be compelled TO assume the response
bilitv which devOlves upon them, ana 10
seriously consider the only remaining
measures INSTRUMENTATION and inter-
vention. owing perhaps 10 the large eX-
panse Of waters separating the lsiand
from the peninsula, the contendlng par
ties appear to have within themselves no
depository of common confidence TO sug-
gest wisdom. when passion and excite
ment have their sway, and 10 assume
the part of peacemaker.'
OUR GOOD OFFICES DECLINED.
In this view. in the earlier days Of the
contest. the good offices of the United
states as a mediator were rendered III
GOOD faith. without any selfish purpose,
i'm the interest OF humanity, and In SIN
cere friendship for both parties, but were
at the time declined by Spain, with the
declaration. nevertheless, that at future
time they might not be Indispensable.
mo intimation has been received that
i'm the opinion Of Spain that time has ar
rived. and yet the strife continues, with
all its dread horrors, and all It's injuries
TO the interests Of the United States, and
of other countries. 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 thy seem incapable of reaching any
adjustment. and both have thus far fail
ed of achieving any success, whereby one
Marty shall possess and control the
island TO the exclusion OF the other.
Under the circumstances, the agency OF
other by mediation or by intervention,
seems to be the only alternative which
must sooner or later. be invoked Tor the
termination of the strife
CLEVELAND'S LAST SUGGESTION.
"In the last annual message or my I'M
mediate predecessor during the pending
struggle, IL was said:
...W hen the inability Of Spain 10 deal
successfully with the instruction mas De-
come manifest, and 1t Is demonstrated
that her sovereignty is extinct IN CUBA,
for all purposes of its rightful existence.
and when the hopeless struggle for It's
re-establishment has degenerated into a
IL. a
tha useless sacrifice of human life, ana
the utter destruction of the very subject
matter of the conflict, a situation VIII
ne presented in which our obligations 10
the sovereignty Of Spain Will be super
seeded by higher obligations. which we
can hardly hesitate to recognize and dis
charge
A RIGHTEOUS PEACE DESIRED.
"In my annual message TO Congress
last December, speaking TO this question.
| said: The near future Will demonstrate
whether the indispensable condition of
righteous peace. just alike TO the Cubans
and 10 Spain as well as equitable 10 all
our interests. so intimately involved In
the welfare OF Cuba. Is likely TO be at
tained IL not. the exigency of further
and other action by the United States
will remain 10 be taken When that time
comes. that action will be determined in
the line OF indlsputable right and duty.
IL will be laced without misgiving or
hesitancy. IN the light OF the obliration