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little was being done, and as the war continued apparently on the same lines, it was thought advisable to send a man-of-war to Habana for the protection of American citizens. The battleship Maine was selected for this duty, and sailed in January, and before long the Spanish cruiser Viscaya was ordered to visit New York, as evidence of existing friendly relations. On the night of February 15 the Maine was blown up and 2 officers and 264 sailors lost their lives. A board of naval officers was convened by the President of the United States to examine into the circumstances, and after a careful investigation, extending over a month, reported that the ship had been blown up from the outside. A contrary report was the result of a Spanish investigation. The report of the naval board was laid before the Congress of the United States by the President, who meanwhile had used every effort to avoid war by diplomatic action.

Early in April it became known that Spain had proposed to the insurgents a suspension of hostilities, to be followed by a capitulation, and had appropriated $600,000 for the relief of the reconcentrados, but that the proposal had been rejected by the insurgent leaders. The President sent a message to Congress on April 11, requesting authority to end the war and to secure in Cuba the establishment of a stable government capable of maintaining order and observing its international obligations. On April 19 Congress passed joint resolutions, which, after reciting the conditions existing in Cuba, demanded the withdrawal of Spain from the island, and empowered the President to use the military and naval forces of the United States to carry the resolutions into effect.

THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.

This was practically a declaration of war, and, on April 23, the President issued a proclamation calling for 125,000 volunteers, which number was subsequently increased to 200,000, and the regular army to 60,000 men. By a formal declaration of April 30, Congress announced that war had existed: since April 21.

On April 24 Commodore Dewey, commanding the Asiatic squadron, was notified by the Secretary of the Navy that war with Spain had begun, and` he was ordered to proceed to the Philippine Islands and capture or destroy the Spanish fleet. On April 27 he sailed from Hongkong and on the afternoon of April 30 arrived at the entrance of Manila bay, where, on the following day, he captured or destroyed all of the vessels of the Spanish fleet.

On June 14 an American army, numbering 15,000 men, under command of Gen. W. R. Shafter, sailed from Port Tampa, Fla., for Santiago de Cuba, where it arrived on the morning of June 20, and on July 1 and 2 the battle of San Juan took place, resulting in the defeat of the Spanish troops and the investment of Santiago.1 On the morning of July 3, the Spanish fleet, under Admiral Cervera, attempted to escape from the harbor, but was intercepted

1

This included the operations of Lawton at El Caney, July 1.

by the American fleet under Capt. William T. Sampson and totally destroyed. On July 16 articles of capitulation were signed at Santiago de Cuba, and the formal surrender of the Spanish forces in the eastern district of Santiago followed on July 17.

On August 12 a protocol provided for a cessation of hostilities, and on December 10 a treaty of peace between the United States and Spain was signed at Paris. It was ratified by the President on February 6, 1899, and by the Queen Regent of Spain on March 19, and proclaimed in Washington, D. C., on April 11.

Cuba was to be free at last on the single condition that "she establish a stable government capable of maintaining order and observing international obligations."

While the ten years' war was not without disastrous effects on the economic development of Cuba, these effects were trifling as compared with those of the war of 1895-1898, during which, according to a conservative estimate. the population of the island decreased 12 per cent and its wealth two-thirds.

THE FIRST AMERICAN INTERVENTION.

On the withdrawal of Spain the government of the island devolved on the army of the United States under the laws of war, and Maj. Gen. John R. Brooke was appointed Military Governor. He entered on his duties January 1, 1899, and in order to acquaint the people of the island with the intentions of the President as Commander in Chief of the army, issued the following proclamation:

To the People of Cuba:

Coming among you as the representative of the President, in furtherance and in continuation of the humane purpose with which my country interfered to put an end to the distressing condition in this island, I deem it proper to say that the object of the present government is to give protection to the people, security to person and property, to restore confidence, to encourage the people to resume the pursuits of peace, to build up waste plantations, to resume commercial traffic, and to afford full protection in the exercise of all civil and religious rights.

To this end the protection of the United States government will be directed, and every possible provision made to carry out these objects through the channels of civil administration, although under military control, in the interest and for the benefit of all the people of Cuba, and those possessed of rights and property in the island.

The civil and criminal code which prevailed prior to the relinquishment of Spanish sovereignty will remain in force, with such modifications and changes as may from time to time be found necessary in the interest of good government.

The people of Cuba, without regard to previous affiliations, are invited and urged to cooperate in these objects by the exercise of moderation, conciliation, and good will one toward another; and a hearty accord in our humanitarian purposes will insure kind and beneficent government.

The military governor of the island will always be pleased to confer with those who may desire to consult him on matters of public interest.

On January 11 General Brooke revised the cabinet, vesting the administration of the civil government in a department of state and government, a

department of finance, a department of justice and public instruction, and a department of agriculture, commerce, industries, and public works.

Many changes, having in view the better administration of the government, were made by General Brooke and his successor, Gen. Leonard E. Wood, who was appointed Military Governor, December 20, 1899. The object was to confer upon the people of Cuba full civil rights, together with all the powers of local self-government-municipal, provincial, and insular-and to do this as rapidly as possible under the local conditions and the serious international obligations to protect life and property in the island, which were assumed by the United States under the treaty of Paris.

This object was accomplished successfully, and, in addition, great benefits were gained by the people of Cuba through the thorough and stringent sanitary measures put into operation, the upbuilding of the public schools of the country, the development and improvement of highways, the extension of the postal and telegraph systems, and the general administration of public affairs so as to permit the rapid development of agricultural and commercial business. A period of prosperity resulted, which not only reflected great credit on the American administration, but gave substantial proof of the wonderful resources of the island, and its great possibilities for material advancement.

THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA.

On May 20, 1902, the military government of Cuba, by order of President Roosevelt, issued in compliance with the promise made by the United States Congress, in the Teller Resolution, transferred the government of Cuba to its newly elected President and Congress, and the new Republic entered on its national life under the best auspices. In its relation with the United States, Cuba was different from other Latin American Republics; this unique position was due to the fact that the Cubans had adopted as a part of their constitution, a law enacted by the Congress of the United States and known as the Platt amendment and later had incorporated it in a permanent treaty between their country and the United States. According to the law and treaty, the Republic of Cuba undertook to enter into no compact with any foreign power which would tend to impair the independence of the Republic, to contract no public debt to the service of which it could not properly attend, to lease coaling stations to the United States, and to execute and extend plans for the sanitation of the cities of the island, and consented that the United States might exercise the right to intervene for the preservation of Cuban independence and the maintenance of a government capable of protecting life, property, and individual liberty, and of discharging such obligations imposed by the Treaty of Paris on the United States as were now to be assumed and undertaken by the government of Cuba.

The progress of Cuba under its own government was for some time most gratifying to its friends throughout the world. But political dissensions arose in 1905 and increased, until in August, 1906, open revolt against the govern

ment began. In that month a small armed force took the field, and uprisings immediately followed throughout the country, led by men disaffected with the government. The ranks of the insurgents were doubtless augmented on account of the tendency to insurrection that had been cultivated by a long period of rebellion in Cuba, as well as by the inclination of many to secure relief from toil and to live on the country and the property of others. The power of this irregular force to do damage was incalculable.

The government of Cuba found itself entirely unprepared. Its artillery and rural guard were comparatively small, and so scattered as to be unable to cope with the insurrectionists. The government made desperate efforts to organize militia, but with very unsatisfactory results.

THE APPEAL TO THE UNITED STATES FOR INTERVENTION.

By the beginning of September the Cuban government realized the helplessness of its situation, and applied to the United States government for intervention; and President Palma announced his irrevocable intention to resign his office in order to save his country from complete anarchy. The American State Department did all in its power to discourage the request, and President Roosevelt dispatched the Secretary of War, Mr. Taft, and the Assistant Secretary of State, Mr. Bacon, to Habana to render all possible aid in securing peace.

THE PEACE COMMISSION.

Secretaries Taft and Bacon arrived in Habana, September 19, 1906. The task confronting them was extremely serious. Though there was no doubt that the American naval forces assembling in Habana harbor could in a short time disperse any large bodies of insurgents, it was quite evident that the employment of force would certainly give rise to guerrilla warfare, which would mean the loss of many lives, the destruction of a great deal of property, and the expenditure of large sums of money.

The Peace Commission, consisting of Secretaries Taft and Bacon, gave hearing to prominent men of the island, had many conferences with the leaders of the different political parties, received and considered suggestions for the settlement of the pending differences, and finally proposed a compromise. The compromise contemplated the resignations of the Vice-President, Senators, Representatives, Governors, and Provisional Councilmen elected at the fraudulent elections of December, 1905; the laying down of the arms of the insurgents; the constitution of a commission for the purpose of drafting laws most urgently needed; and the holding of elections under the provisions of the electoral law to be drafted by such commission. The earnest endeavors of the commission to have the plan accepted by all parties were without avail. The President insisted on resigning, all the cabinet officers resigned, and the President called a special session of Congress in order that he might submit his own resignation and that of the Vice-President.

Pursuant to the call, Congress met September 28, received the resignations, and adjourned on the same day without electing a successor to the President. The country was thus left without a government, and President Palma so informed the Peace Commission, and stated that it was necessary for him to turn over the national funds to some responsible person. Secretary Taft accordingly issued the following proclamation establishing the provisional government of Cuba:

To the people of Cuba:

The failure of Congress to act on the irrevocable resignation of the President of the Republic of Cuba, or to elect a successor, leaves this country without a government at a time when great disorder prevails, and requires that pursuant to a request of President Palma, the necessary steps be taken in the name and by the authority of the President of the United States, to restore order, protect life and property in the Island of Cuba and islands and keys adjacent thereto and for this purpose to establish therein a provisional government.

The provisional government hereby established by direction and in the name of the President of the United States will be maintained only long enough to restore order and peace and public confidence, and then to hold such elections as may be necessary to determine those persons upon whom the permanent government of the Republic should be devolved.

In so far as is consistent with the nature of a provisional government established under authority of the United States, this will be a Cuban government conforming, as far as may be, to the Constitution of Cuba. The Cuban flag will be hoisted as usual over the government buildings of the island. All the executive departments and the provisional and municipal governments, including that of the city of Habana, will continue to be administered as under the Cuban Republic. The courts will continue to administer justice, and all laws not in their nature inapplicable by reason of the temporary and emergent character of the government, will be enforced.

President Roosevelt has been most anxious to bring about peace under the constitutional government of Cuba, and has made every endeavor to avoid the present step. Longer delay, however, would be dangerous.

In view of the resignation of the Cabinet, until further notice, the heads of all departments of the central government will report to me for instructions, including Major-General Alejandro Rodriguez, in command of the Rural Guard and other regular government forces, and General Carlos Roloff, Treasurer of Cuba.

Until further notice, the Civil Governors and Alcaldes will also report to me for instructions.

I ask all citizens and residents of Cuba to assist in the work of restoring order, tranquillity, and public confidence.

The general public satisfaction with this action is apparent from the fact that, though the government and the insurgents had thousands of men under arms, this simple decree was sufficient to establish the provisional administration, the only American force landed being a small squad of marines to protect the Treasury. The important and delicate task of the disarmament. of the insurgent forces and of the militia was then successfully carried into effect by commissions consisting of American officers and prominent Cubans; and a proclamation of general amnesty was issued. The general attitude of the people of Habana toward the action of the Peace Commission was made evident when Secretaries Taft and Bacon embarked for the United States on

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