The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-02-06
WASN'T ASKED.
"Would Spain Have Yielded In
dependence to Cuba!"

New York, Feb. 6.-Ex-Sen Will
liam f. Chandler has written an open
letter on the subject of the negotiations
with Spain previous to the outbreak OF
hostilities:
The advocates of war were willing to
wait the answer of Spain to a request
made as a condition of peace, that she
should yield Independence to Cuba But
they could not learn that any such re-
quest had been or would be made. In
fact it never was made. There could
nave been no wisdom in waiting. there
is no reproach for not waiting for an
answer to a request which was not
made and which the controlling power
had decided should not be made.
The opponents of war may be bound
to reproach themselves because they
made no such request; and therefore
war came 1t is possible that Spain
would have yielded to such a request;
and the responsibility for not at any
time making it must rest in history.
upon the peace party which conducted
the negotiations with Spain, at the end
OF which the war came.
In the debate on the PHILIPPINES rev.
enue bill in the House son December II,
1901, Representative Serene E. Payne
SAID; Ihere were those on this side
VINO stood by our patriotic president in
the endeaVor to stem the tide of war,
DelieVlng that We could bring about the
freedom OF Cuba without the loss of G
single American life"
ASScItdllNe GndrleS h. CrOSVenOr
ON the same day said: I believe if it
mad not been for the accident of the cx-
plos1on OF the Maine We would never
have had a war with Spain, and all the
results that followed would have been
worked out, except the Philippine ac-
QUESTION
Secretary Long gave countenance to
the same notion at Newport News on
December Is 1901 by saying that with
navy as large as we now have there
would have been no war with Spain:
that she would have come to terms
coming"
These distinguished men would not
have made these public assertions If
they had not forgotten that Spain was
not asked to grant freedom to Cuba as
condition of peace. Yet, indeed. they
may not have known of the omission
the PROOF. however, of the counter
charge against their reproach is open
and unnistaka bic, in the volume relative
TO our foreign relations for 1898 known
as the Red Book.
In all the correspondence between
Washington and Madrid the principal
demand of the United States was only
for peace.
What else was Mr.. woodford instruct
ed 10 demand and what did he demand?
protection to American interests.
Revocation of the recommendation or
der and permission to the United States
TO help feed and clothe the outcasts.
Actual and honest government in
Local government while remaining
Within the integral nationality of
Spain"
Peace through the Cuban congress
provided it shall not diminish or inter-
fere with the constitutional power vest
ed by the Cuban constitution in the
central government"
Further concessions to Cuba through
the insular Cuban government.
An armistice.
The foregoing is, however not the
whole narrativ It does appear that
our government suggested that two de-
mands additional to those above recife,1
should be made Mr.. Woodford present
ed neither of them to the Spanish gov
eminent
March 2S. 1888, Mr.. Day telegraphed
Mr.. Woodford: THE presidents desire
is for peace" Peace is the desired end -
and closes:
For your own guidance, the presi-
dent suggests that if Spain will revoke
the REORGANIZATION order and maintain
the people until they can support Them
selves and offer to the Cubans full self
government. with reasonable indemnity
the president will gladly assist in its
contamination" page 700.
This, although a suggestion merely
should have been promptly presented