end of his effort and the cause was in the hands of Congress.  Humanity, the protection of American citizens and property, the injuries to American commerce and business, the inability of Spain to bring about permanent peace in the island—­these were the grounds for action that induced him to ask for authority to employ military and naval forces in establishing a stable government in Cuba.  They were sufficient for a public already straining at the leash.

=The Resolution of Congress.=—­There was no doubt of the outcome when the issue was withdrawn from diplomacy and placed in charge of Congress.  Resolutions were soon introduced into the House of Representatives authorizing the President to employ armed force in securing peace and order in the island and “establishing by the free action of the people thereof a stable and independent government of their own.”  To the form and spirit of this proposal the Democrats and Populists took exception.  In the Senate, where they were stronger, their position had to be reckoned with by the narrow Republican majority.  As the resolution finally read, the independence of Cuba was recognized; Spain was called upon to relinquish her authority and withdraw from the island; and the President was empowered to use force to the extent necessary to carry the resolutions into effect.  Furthermore the United States disclaimed “any disposition or intention to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control over said island except for the pacification thereof.”  Final action was taken by Congress on April 19, 1898, and approved by the President on the following day.

=War and Victory.=—­Startling events then followed in swift succession.  The navy, as a result in no small measure of the alertness of Theodore Roosevelt, Assistant Secretary of the Department, was ready for the trial by battle.  On May 1, Commodore Dewey at Manila Bay shattered the Spanish fleet, marking the doom of Spanish dominion in the Philippines.  On July 3, the Spanish fleet under Admiral Cervera, in attempting to escape from Havana, was utterly destroyed by American forces under Commodore Schley.  On July 17, Santiago, invested by American troops under General Shafter and shelled by the American ships, gave up the struggle.  On July 25 General Miles landed in Porto Rico.  On August 13, General Merritt and Admiral Dewey carried Manila by storm.  The war was over.

=The Peace Protocol.=—­Spain had already taken cognizance of stern facts.  As early as July 26, 1898, acting through the French ambassador, M. Cambon, the Madrid government approached President McKinley for a statement of the terms on which hostilities could be brought to a close.  After some skirmishing Spain yielded reluctantly to the ultimatum.  On August 12, the preliminary peace protocol was signed, stipulating that Cuba should be free, Porto Rico ceded to the United States, and Manila occupied by American troops pending the formal treaty of peace.  On October 1, the commissioners of the two countries met at Paris to bring about the final settlement.