Diplomatic Talk: In the controversy between Spain and Uncle Sam
April 9, 1898
Summary
President McKinley recommends “armed intervention,” since Spain will not cooperate with America’s terms.
Transcription
No foreign interference.
Their meditation will not be acceptable to the United States.
Senator Chandler for war.
Other senators echo the sentiments of the member for New Hampshire, and the prospects are that an proposition for intervention without demanding the independence of Cuba will be vigorously combatted. Ten new vessels purchased for the auxiliary navy—Spain’s torpedo flotilla crippled at Cape Verde Islands.
Washington, April 6—That the president’s message will go to the congress today was the best information obtainable in Washington last evening, through the kaleidoscope of internal events appears to be moving so rapidly at Madrid as to make possible some new and possible remarkable change in the aspect of affairs that will prevent this statement holding good. The message is ready, makes about 7,000 words, and has been approved by the cabinet. It recommends armed intervention, but so far as known without stating that this should be immediate by the United States, to prevent hostilities and succor for the starving people. It makes an argument against recognition of the independence at this time, and leaves it clear that in the opinion of the administration it is the duty of the government to supervise the affairs fo the island until, in the light of fuller and later knowledge, a stable government can be established. The attitude of congress on this policy official promulgation in the president’s message.
The day was prolific of reports of mediation on the part of the European powers, but a summary of all the news on this point is that the powers of Europe cannot agree, and that their interference would be unacceptable to the government fo the United States. Throughout the day unusual activity was manifest at the foreign embassies and legations representing the great powers of Europe. Mr. Cambon, the French ambassador, and Sir Julian Pauncefote, England’s representative, were especially active.
The German ambassador, Dr. Bon Holleben, appears to be the only one not actively participating in the conferences, but this is reason to believe he is kept fully advised on the sentiments at Berlin concerning the Spanish situation. Accompanying the diplomatic comment was an undercurrent of suggestion that developments in Cuba were not unlooked for, and that the pressure of the powers and that pope on Spain might yet bring about an armistice in which both Spanish troops and insurgents would participate. Viewed from the official standpoint here, the time for that has gone by, and there is little likelihood that the insurgents could be induced to lay down their arms even for a time.
At the Capitol, yesterday tremendous effort was made to have congress support the outlined policy of the president. A general belief was expressed when the house adjourned that a majority of the house committee on foreign affairs was ready to support Mr. McKinley’s plan, and the impression prevailed that a resolution in line with the recommendations of the president would be reported from the committee.
There is a great deal of uncertainty regarding the senate committee. A debate which occurred in the executive session of the senate late yesterday afternoon would indicate that, no matter what was the character of the resolution to come from the committee, the resolution would cause a serious and perhaps prolonged discussion. It emphasized the fact that there are two elements in the senate, one for independence with the intervention alone, and these two factions will fight vigorously for their ideas.
The prevailing opinions among senators is that the committee will recede from its position for both independence and intervention and report a resolution in accordance with the president’s recommendation for intervention alone, but this is not certain.
“The United States ought immediately to declare war against Spain, and to maintain that war until the people of Cuba are made free from Spanish starvation and cruelty and the government of the island firmly established as an independent republic.” This utterance by Senator Chandler, of New Hampshire, in a carefully prepared statement of the position on the Cuban crisis, was the climax of an extended discussion of the subject participated in by several members in the senate yesterday afternoon. Mr. Turner, of Washington took substantially the same position as that of Mr. Chandler, basing his demand for action upon the Maine catastrophe. Mr. Turple, of Indiana, one of the members of the foreign relations committee, briefly but scathingly reviewed the Spanish conduct of Cuban affairs and declared in the strongest terms for intervention that would mean something—that would drive Spain from control of every foot of territory in the western hemisphere.
The safety of General Lee, our consuls and other Americans in Cuba is a matter of concern to the state department. Advices from General Lee indicate that the transportation of all Americans from Cuba would take some time, and apparently showed that he did not share fully in the apprehension fault here. It is thought over 1,000 Americans will be eager to leave Havana today. To care for this crowd there are the Fern, the Bache and the Mangrove, all government vessels, and the passenger steamers Olivette and Mascotte. Whether any armed vessel from the Kew West squadron will be at hand when the exodus begins could not be learned, but it was said at the White house that “all Americans would be well cared for.”
Their meditation will not be acceptable to the United States.
Senator Chandler for war.
Other senators echo the sentiments of the member for New Hampshire, and the prospects are that an proposition for intervention without demanding the independence of Cuba will be vigorously combatted. Ten new vessels purchased for the auxiliary navy—Spain’s torpedo flotilla crippled at Cape Verde Islands.
Washington, April 6—That the president’s message will go to the congress today was the best information obtainable in Washington last evening, through the kaleidoscope of internal events appears to be moving so rapidly at Madrid as to make possible some new and possible remarkable change in the aspect of affairs that will prevent this statement holding good. The message is ready, makes about 7,000 words, and has been approved by the cabinet. It recommends armed intervention, but so far as known without stating that this should be immediate by the United States, to prevent hostilities and succor for the starving people. It makes an argument against recognition of the independence at this time, and leaves it clear that in the opinion of the administration it is the duty of the government to supervise the affairs fo the island until, in the light of fuller and later knowledge, a stable government can be established. The attitude of congress on this policy official promulgation in the president’s message.
The day was prolific of reports of mediation on the part of the European powers, but a summary of all the news on this point is that the powers of Europe cannot agree, and that their interference would be unacceptable to the government fo the United States. Throughout the day unusual activity was manifest at the foreign embassies and legations representing the great powers of Europe. Mr. Cambon, the French ambassador, and Sir Julian Pauncefote, England’s representative, were especially active.
The German ambassador, Dr. Bon Holleben, appears to be the only one not actively participating in the conferences, but this is reason to believe he is kept fully advised on the sentiments at Berlin concerning the Spanish situation. Accompanying the diplomatic comment was an undercurrent of suggestion that developments in Cuba were not unlooked for, and that the pressure of the powers and that pope on Spain might yet bring about an armistice in which both Spanish troops and insurgents would participate. Viewed from the official standpoint here, the time for that has gone by, and there is little likelihood that the insurgents could be induced to lay down their arms even for a time.
At the Capitol, yesterday tremendous effort was made to have congress support the outlined policy of the president. A general belief was expressed when the house adjourned that a majority of the house committee on foreign affairs was ready to support Mr. McKinley’s plan, and the impression prevailed that a resolution in line with the recommendations of the president would be reported from the committee.
There is a great deal of uncertainty regarding the senate committee. A debate which occurred in the executive session of the senate late yesterday afternoon would indicate that, no matter what was the character of the resolution to come from the committee, the resolution would cause a serious and perhaps prolonged discussion. It emphasized the fact that there are two elements in the senate, one for independence with the intervention alone, and these two factions will fight vigorously for their ideas.
The prevailing opinions among senators is that the committee will recede from its position for both independence and intervention and report a resolution in accordance with the president’s recommendation for intervention alone, but this is not certain.
“The United States ought immediately to declare war against Spain, and to maintain that war until the people of Cuba are made free from Spanish starvation and cruelty and the government of the island firmly established as an independent republic.” This utterance by Senator Chandler, of New Hampshire, in a carefully prepared statement of the position on the Cuban crisis, was the climax of an extended discussion of the subject participated in by several members in the senate yesterday afternoon. Mr. Turner, of Washington took substantially the same position as that of Mr. Chandler, basing his demand for action upon the Maine catastrophe. Mr. Turple, of Indiana, one of the members of the foreign relations committee, briefly but scathingly reviewed the Spanish conduct of Cuban affairs and declared in the strongest terms for intervention that would mean something—that would drive Spain from control of every foot of territory in the western hemisphere.
The safety of General Lee, our consuls and other Americans in Cuba is a matter of concern to the state department. Advices from General Lee indicate that the transportation of all Americans from Cuba would take some time, and apparently showed that he did not share fully in the apprehension fault here. It is thought over 1,000 Americans will be eager to leave Havana today. To care for this crowd there are the Fern, the Bache and the Mangrove, all government vessels, and the passenger steamers Olivette and Mascotte. Whether any armed vessel from the Kew West squadron will be at hand when the exodus begins could not be learned, but it was said at the White house that “all Americans would be well cared for.”
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Upper Left Quadrant
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Contributed By
Cali Hughes
Citation
“Diplomatic Talk: In the controversy between Spain and Uncle Sam,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed January 20, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1366.