As to the question of fact which springs from the diversity of views
between the reports of the American and Spanish boards, Spain proposes
that the facts be ascertained by an impartial investigation by experts,
whose decision Spain accepts in advance.


To this I have made no reply.

President Grant, in 1875, after discussing the phases of the contest as
it then appeared and its hopeless and apparent indefinite prolongation,
said:

In such event I am of opinion that other nations will be compelled to
assume the responsibility which devolves upon them, and to seriously
consider the only remaining measures possible--mediation and
intervention. Owing, perhaps, to the large expanse of water separating
the island from the peninsula, * * * the contending parties appear to
have within themselves no depository of common confidence to suggest
wisdom when passion and excitement have their sway and to assume the
part of peacemaker. In this view in the earlier days of the contest the
good offices of the United States as a mediator were tendered in good
faith, without any selfish purpose, in the interest of humanity and in
sincere friendship for both parties, but were at the time declined by
Spain, with the declaration, nevertheless, that at a future time they
would be indispensable. No intimation has been received that in the
opinion of Spain that time has been reached. And yet the strife
continues, with all its dread horrors and all its injuries to the
interests of the United States and of other nations. Each party seems
quite capable of working great injury and damage to the other, as well