Mr. Day to Duke of Almodovar del Rio.
Washington, July 30, 1898.
Excellency: The President received on the afternoon of Tuesday, the 26th instant, from the hand of his excellency the ambassador of France, representing for this purpose the Government of Spain, the message signed by your excellency as minister of state in behalf of the Government of Her Majesty the Queen Regent of Spain, and dated the 22d instant, as to the possibility of terminating the war now existing between the United States and Spain.
The President received with satisfaction the suggestion that the two countries might mutually endeavor to ascertain the conditions on which the pending struggle may be brought to an end, as well as the expression of Spain’s belief that an understanding on the subject is possible.
During the protracted negotiations that preceded the outbreak of hostilities, the President earnestly labored to avert a conflict, in the hope that Spain, in consideration of her own interests as well as those of the Spanish Antilles and the United States, would find a way for removing the conditions which had for half a century constantly disturbed the peace of the Western Hemisphere and on numerous occasions brought the two nations to the verge of war.
The President witnessed with profound disappointment the frustration of his peaceful efforts by events which forced upon the people of the United States the unalterable conviction that nothing short of relinquishment by Spain of a claim of sovereignty over Cuba which she was unable to enforce, would relieve a situation that had become unendurable.
For years the Government of the United States, out of regard for the susceptibilities of Spain, had by the exercise of its power and the expenditure of its treasure preserved the obligations of neutrality. But a point was at length reached at which, as Spain had often been forewarned, this attitude could no longer be maintained. The spectacle at our very doors of a fertile territory wasted by fire and sword and given over to desolation and famine, was one to which our people could not be indifferent. Yielding therefore to the demands of humanity, they determined to remove the causes, in the effects of which they had become so deeply involved.
To this end the President, with the authority of Congress, presented [Page 821] to Spain a demand for the withdrawal of her land and naval forces from Cuba, in order that the people of the island might be enabled to form a government of their own. To this demand Spain replied by severing diplomatic relations with the United States, and by declaring that she considered the action of this Government as creating a state of war between the two countries.
The President could not but feel sincere regret that the local question as to the peace and good government of Cuba should thus have been transformed and enlarged into a general conflict of arms between two great peoples. Nevertheless, having accepted the issue with all the hazards which it involves, he has, in the exercise of his duty, and of the rights which the state of war confers, prosecuted hostilities by land and sea, in order to secure at the earliest possible moment an honorable peace. In so doing he has been compelled to avail himself unsparingly of the lives and fortunes which his countrymen have placed at his command, and untold burdens and sacrifices, far transcending any material estimation, have been imposed upon them.
That, as the result of the patriotic exertions of the people of the United States, the strife has, as your excellency observes, proved unequal, inclines the President to offer a brave adversary generous terms of peace.
The President, therefore, responding to your excellency’s request, will state the terms of peace which will be accepted by him at the present time, subject to the approval of the Senate of the United States hereafter.
Your excellency in discussing the question of Cuba, intimates that Spain has desired to spare the island the dangers of premature independence. The Government of the United States has not shared the apprehensions of Spain in this regard, but it recognizes the fact that in the distracted and prostrate condition of the island, aid and guidance will be necessary, and these it is prepared to give.
The United States will require:
- First. The relinquishment by Spain of all claim of sovereignty over or title to Cuba, and her immediate evacuation of the island.
- Second. The President, desirous of exhibiting signal generosity, will not now put forth any demand for pecuniary indemnity. Nevertheless, he can not be insensible to the losses and expenses of the United States incident to the war, or to the claims of our citizens for injuries to their persons and property during the late insurrection in Cuba. He must therefore require the cession to the United States, and the evacuation by Spain of the islands of Porto Rico and other islands now under the sovereignty of Spain in the West Indies, and also the cession of an island in the Ladrones to be selected by the United States.
- Third. On similar grounds the United States is entitled to occupy, and will hold the city, bay, and harbor of Manilla pending the conclusion of a treaty of peace which shall determine the control, disposition, and government of the Philippines.
If the terms hereby offered are accepted in their entirety, commissioners will be named by the United States to meet similarly authorized commissioners on the part of Spain for the purpose of settling the details of the treaty of peace, and signing and delivering it under the terms above indicated.
I avail myself, etc.