The silver star., 1898-04-14
Questions and entanglements thus ans

Y
| inC-all these and others that need
not mention with the resulting strained
! relations, are II constant menace. to
our pence and compels us to keep OH
a semi-war with the nation with which
| we are at pence.
| Those elements of danger and disor-
der already pointed out have been
strikingly illustrated by tragic event
which has deeply and justly moved
the American peOple-the destruction
of the battleship Maine.
| / have already transmitted to Con-
gress the report Of the navhl court of
inquiry. This board, which had the
unqualified confidence of the govern
ment, was unanimous In its verdict
that the Maine was blown up by an
exterior cause-that of n submarine
mine. 1t 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 n patent and impressive proof of a
state Of things in Cuba 'thnt is Intol-
cradle.
| That condition is thus shown to be
such that the Spanish government can
NOT assure safety to a vessel in the Ha-
vana hnrbor on n mission Of peace and
rightfully there.
| Realizing this, 1t appeared to be nv
duty. in spirit of true friendlness to
Spain and to the Cubans to bring
about an immediate termination of the
war.
| To this end I submitted on the 9th
ultimo. ms result of much representa-
tlon and correspondence through the
| United States minister Mt Madrid,
propositions to the Spanish govern
tn n;.,ti,
tober 1st. for the negotiation of pence
| with the good offices of the President.
In addition, l asked the immediate re-
vocation Of the order of RECOMMENDATION
so far as to permit the people to re-
turn TO their farms and the needy to
be relieved with provisions and sup
plies from the United States, co-Operat.
ing with the Spanish authorities so as
to afford full relief
The reply of Spain Offering to leaye
peaceful settlement to the Cuban Par
Lament was received March :,1st. This
parliament meets May 4th, and in the
meantime the Spanish government Of
fered temporary armistice provided
1t were asked for by the insurgents.
The proposition submitted by General
Woodford and the reply to the Spanish
government We're both in the form OF
Cuban Parliament in the matter of
preparing" peace and the manner OF
ITS doing so are not expressed In the
Spanish memorandum.
II is understood that the Spanish
government stands ready to give the
lnsular Congress full power to settle
the terms of peace with the insurgents
either by direct negotiation or indi-
rectly by means of legislation does not
appear.
No reply was sent to the Spanish
note. With this last overture for i'm
mediate peace and It's disappointinv
reception by Spain. the executive was
brought TO the end of its efforts.
further referring In this connection
10 recent diplomatic correspondence, n
dispatch from our minister to Spai.,
OF the 26th ultimo. contained the state
inent That the Spanish minister for for
eign affairs assured him positively that
Spain will do all that the highest hon
or ana justice require In the matter of
the Maine.
The reply above referred to on the
:'1st ultimo also contained nm express
SION OF the readiness Of Spain to submit
TO an arbitration all the differences
which can arise In this matter.
president Grants Cuban message in
1919; President Cleveland's last annual
message and President McKinley's own
annual message of last year are quot
ed. In this message he said that
peaceful efforts failing. Intervention
would he the right and duty Of this
government
The message then continues:
The only hope OF relief and repose
from Il condition which can no longer
be endured IL the enforced pnciflcation
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 these facts and these CON
stdera'ions. l ask the Congress to au-
thorize and empower the President to
takc measures to secure full and
maj termination Of hOstilities between
the government Of Spain and the peo.
pie OF Cubn. and to secure In the island
the establishment OF stable govern
ment. and recognizing Its international
character and tranquility and the &C.
curity OF its citizens, as well rs our
own. and to use the military and naval
forces Of the United States us may be
necessary for these purposes.
And In the interest OF humanity md
10 niu IN preserving the lives OF the
starving people Of the island. ! recon-
mend TINT the distribution Of food and
clothing be continued until peace bc
secured. and TINT an appropriation bc
made out OF the public treasury to sup
plement the charity OF our citizens.
The Issue IL now with the Congress-.
II Is solemn responsibility. I have
exhausted every effort TO relieve the
lntolerable condition Of affairs which In
at our doors.
Prepared to execute every obligation
Imposed upon me by the constitution
and the law. ! await your action.
Yesterday and since the preparation
OF the foregoing messnge official In
formation was received by me TINT the
latest decree Of the queen regent Of
Spain directs General BlnncO, In order
to prepare and facilitate peace, to pro-
claim suspension Of hOstilIties, the
duration md details Of which have not
vet been conn MENTAL IN mn