The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-12-06

established that the origin OF the explos
sion was external by q submarine mine,
and only halted, through lack Of positive
testimony. to FIX the responsibility OF itS
authorship.
All these things carried conviction 10
the most thoughtful, even before the
finding OF the naval court, that q crisis
In our relations with Spain and toward
Cuba was at hand. So strong was this
belief that Il needed but a brief execu-
tive suggestion 10 the Congress TO re.
celye immediate answer TO the duty OF
making instant provision for the pos5i-
BILE and perhaps speedily probable emer-
gency OF war, and the remarkable, al-
most unique, spectacle was presented or
unanimous vote Of both houses, on the
9th of March, appropriattng s50,OO0,VOO
FOR the national defense and for each
and every purpose connected therewith,
TO be expended at the discretion OF fhe
President"
That this act Of provision came none
too soon was disclosed when the appllca-
ton of che funds was undertaken. Our
coasts Wer practically undefended. Our
navy needed large provision tor ti-
creased ammunition and supplies, ana
even numbers to cope with any sudden
attack from the navy OF Spain which
comprised modern vessels Of the high
est type OF continental perfection. Our
army also required enlargement OF men
and munitions. The details Of the hur-
rled preparation for the dreaded contin-
gency Is told in the reports Of the secre-
tarles Of war and OF the navy, and need
not be repeated here. II is sufficient to
say that the outbreak Of war, when It
aid come. found our Nation not unpre-
pared to meet the conflict.
Nor was the apprehension OF coming
strife confined TO our own country. II
was felt by the continental powers
which, on April 8, through their atnpaA-
sadOrs and enVoys. addressed 70 the e1-
ecutfye nn expression Of hope that hu-
manity and moderation might mark the
course Of this government and people.
and that further negotiations would
lead TO an agreement, which, while Sc
curing the maintenance Of pence. would
AFFORD all necessary guarantees Tor tne
re-establishment OF order In CUBA IN
resDOndiug TO that representation,
said shared the hope the ENJOYS had
expressed that peace might be preserved
in a manner to terminate the chronic
condition OF disturbance In Cuba 80 in-
furious and menacing to our interests
and tranquility, as well as shocking 70
our sentiments Of humanity; and, while
apprecIating the humanitarian ana dis
interested character Of the communlea-
NNe-s-AA
powers, stated the confidence OF this
government for It's part, that equal ap-
preclatlon would be shown for Its own
earnest and unselash endeaVorS to tuls
fill duty to humanity by ending o Sit
uation, the indefinite prolongation oe
which had become insunerable.
SIN animated by the hope Of a peace
fuI solution, and obeylng the dictates Of
duty, no effort was relaxed to bring
about speedy ending OF the Cuban
struggle Negotiations to this object
continued actively with the government
OF Spain. looking to the immediate
conclusion OF Bix-months' armisties
In Cuba. with view 10 eject the recoG-
milton Of her peoples rights to independ-
ence Besides this, the instant revocA-
tion OF the order Of recommendation was
asked, so that the sufferers, returning to
their homes. and aided by united Amer
lean and Spanish EFFORT, might be putin
O way to support themselves, and by
orderly resumption Of the well-nlgh de-
stroyed productive energies OF the 1g-
land. contribute TO the restoration OF its
tranquility and well being. Negotla-
tions continued for some ltue time Ae
Madrid, resulting in offers by the Span
lsh government which could not but b0
regarded as Inadequate. It was pro-
posed to conflde the preparation Of peace
to the insular. parliament, yet to b0
convened under the autonomous decree9
OF November, 1897, but without impair
ment In any wise OF the constitutional
powers OF the Madrid government,
which, to that end would grant an ar
Inistice, II solicited by the insurgents.
for such time as the general-ln-chiee
might see at to flx. Ho wand with what
scope Of discretionary powers the insu-
lar parliament was expected 10 set
about the preparation" Of peace did
not appear. II 1t were to be by negO-
tiatlon with the insurgents, the issue
seemed to rest on the one side with
body chosen by fraction OF the electors
In the districts under Spanish control,
and on the other side with The insurgent
population holding the Interior coun-
try, unrepresented In the so-called par
lament, and defiant at the suggestion
of suing for peace,
Peace EHOFtS Fatted.
cr,nvad md dIsnppointed NJ this bar.
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