Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-12-10
The PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

v
civil strife, the passions of the COM
batants grow more and more infiamed.
and oxcesses on both sides become more
frequent and more deplorable.
The spectacle OF the utter ruin of an adj
joining country, by nature one OF the most
fertile and charming on tho globe, would
engage the serious attention Of the gov
eminent and the people of the United
States in any circumstances. In point
of fact, they have concern which
Is by no means of a wholly sentimental
or philanthropic character. II hes so near
to us as to be hardly separated from our
territory. Our actual pecuniary interest
in 1t is second only to that OF the people
and government of Spain. 1t Is reason-
ably estimated that at least from 30,OOO,-
600 to S50000,000 of American cap.tai
are invested in plantations and in rail-
road, mining and other business enter
prises ON the island. The volume OF trade
between the United States and Cuba,
which in 1889 amounted to about $6i,0OO,-
600. rose In 1898 to about $103,O0O,OOO,
and in 1894, the year before the present
instruction broke out, amounted TO near
ly sos, 100000 Besides this large pc
cuniary stake in the fortunes of Cuba, the
United States finds itself ineXtricably in
volved in the present contest in other
ways, both vexatious and costly. Many
Cubans reside in this country and in
directly promote the insurrection through
the press, by public meetings, by the pur-
chase and shipment of arms, by the rails
ing Of funds and by other means, which
the spirit of our institutions and the
tenor of our laws do not permit to be
made the subject of criminal prosecu-
lions of friendly power. 1t follows from
the same causes that the United States is
compelled to actively police long line
of seacoast against unlawful expeditions,
the escape of which the utmost vigilance
will not always suffice to prevent.
These inevitable entanglements of the
United States with the rebellion in Cuba,
the large American property interests af-
fected and considerations Of philanthropy
and humanity In general have led to a
vehement demand in various quarters
for some sort of positive intervention on
the part of the United States. 1t was
at first proposed that belligercnt rights
should be accorded to the insurgents-a
proposition no longer urged because I'M
timely and in practical operation clearly
perilous and injurious to our own inter-
ests. 1t has since been and is now some
times contended that the independence of
the insurgents should be recognized. But
imperfect and restricted as the Spanish
Government of the island may be, no
other exists there-unless the will of the
military officer in temporary command Of
a particular district can be dignified as a
species of government. 1t is now also
suggested that the United States should
buy the island-a suggestion possibly
worthy of consideration If there were any
evidence of desire or willingness ON the
part of Spain TO entertain such pro-
posal. 1t Is urged, finally that, all other
methods failing, the existing interncine
strife in Cuba should be terminated by
our intervention, even ut the cost of a
war between the United States and
Spain-a war which its advocates con-
fidently prophesy could be neither large
in its proportions nor doubtful in its issue.
The correctness of this forecast need
be neither affirmed nor denied. The Unit
ed States has nevertheless a character to
maintain as nation, which plainly die
tates that right and not might should be
the rule of its conduct.
1t is in the assumed temper and dispo-
sition of the Spanish Government to rem
edy its grievances, fortified by indica-
tons of influential public opinion in Spain
that this Government has hoped to dis
cover the most promising and effective
means of ending the present strife
with honor and advantage TO Spain and
with the achievement of all the reasona-
BILE objects of the instruction. 1t was in
timated by this Government TO the Gov
eminent of Spain some months ago that
If satisfactory measure Of home rule
were rendered the Cuban insurgents and
would be accepted by them upon a guar
anty of its execution. the United States
would endeavor TO find q way not OBJ
jectionable to Spain of furnishing such
guaranty. While no definite response to
this intimation has yet been received from
the Spanish Government, it is believed
to be not altogether unwelcome, while,
as already suggested. no reason is per-
ceiyed why it should not be approved
by the insurgents. Whatever circum-
stances may arise, our policy and our in
terest would constrain us to object to the
acquisition of the island or an interfer-
ence with its control by any other power.
1t should be added that it cannot be rea-
onably assumed that the hitherto expect
ant attitude of the United States will be
indefinitely maintained. When the ina
bility of Spain to deal successfully with
the Insurgents has become manifest and
il is demonstrated that her sovereignty
is extinct in Cuba for all purposes of its
rightful existence, and when a hopeless
struggle for its re-establishment has de-
generated into strife which means moth
ing more than the useless sacrifice of
human life and the utter destruction of
the very subject matter of the conflict,
situation will be presented in which our
obligations to the sovereignty of Spain
will be superseded by higher obligations,
which we can hardly hesitate to recog-
nize and discharge. Deferring the choice
of ways and methods until the time for
action arrives, we should make them de-
pend upon the precise conditions then ex-
listing, and they should not be deter
mined upon without giving careful heed
to every consideration involving our honor
and interest or the international duty we
owe to Spain. A contemplation of emer-
gencies that may arise should plainly lead
us to avoid their creation, either through
careless disregard of present duty or
even an undue stimulation and ill-timed
expression of feeling. But have deemed
ii not amiss to remind the Congress that
a time may arise when correct policy
and care for our interests, as well rs a
regard for the interests of other nations
and their citizens, Joined by considera-
tons of humanity and desire to see
rich and fertile country, intimately re-
lated to us, saved from complete devasta-
ton, will constrain our Government to
such action as will subserve the interests
thus involved and at the same time prom
Use to Cuba and its inhabitants an oppor-