Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-07
MAY PUT ASTOP T0|T
The United States and the
War in Cuba.
The PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Governments Patience May
Not Continue Always.
Possibilities of Interference in
the Interests of Peace.
THE FOREIGN SITUATION.
Secretaries Olney and Car
Isle Submit Reports.
Opening of Congress and
Possibilities of Interference in
the Interests of Peace.
THE FOREIGN SITUATION.
Secretaries Olney and Car
Isle Submit Reports.
Opening of Congress and
Other Washington News.

Washington, Dec. THE Presi-
dents message was sent to congress
today. 1t opens with a reference to
the late political contest, and the
consequences involved. and points
out the .'manly submission which
succeeded the heated clash of polit-
ical opinions" as evidence Of the
stability OF our institutions. In
speaking Of our foreign relations. the
president expresses regret at the un-
improved condition OF affairs in
Turkey. He says the future safety
Of the citizens of the United States
is not assured; that while the gov
ernment will do all possible to pro-
tect its missionaries, the people o.
this country should not '.demand
impossible things" An adequate
force for protection would be re-
sented both by Turkey and the pow
ers.
Considerable space is given to
Cuba. On this subject the president
says in part: "It Spain has not yet
established authority, neither have
the insurgents, yet they have made
good the title to be regarded as an in
dependent state. The only civil gov
ernment maintained is that by Spain,
more or less imperfectly in the large
towns and immediate suburbs. 1t is
reported indeed, on reliable authori-
ty, that at the demand of the COM
mander-in-chief the insurgent army
Of the putative Cuban government.
has now given up all attempt to ex-
ercise the functions leaving the
government. confessedly (what there
is the best reason for sup
posing has always been in iacO a
government merely on paper" The
demands for according belligerent
rights to the insurgents in iecogni-
ton Of their independence by the
purchase by the United States Of
the island. or Intervention by the
United States to end the strife, ever
at the cost Of war with Spain. are
all dismissed by the president. The
restraint and patient endurance by
the United States Of the condition,
in Cuba are pointed out. Continu
ing. the president says: ut woulc
seem il Spain should offer Cuba ,
genuine autonomy-a measure o
home rule. which while preserving
the sovereignty of Spain. would sat
isfy all the rational requirements o
her Spanish subjects-there shoult
be no Just reason why pacifcatio1
might not be effected on that basis
Such . result would appear to be il
the true interests Of all concerned.
UDitsd states May Inssrfere.
The president then says he init
mated to Spain some months ag
that il Cuba was granted home rul
the United States would cndeavor t
tind way, not Objectionable to Spain
of Furnishing aguarantee to the insul
gents that such . promise Of HON
rule would be carried out. He says n
definite response was received. bu
believes the proposition was not a
together unwelcome. Continuin
the president says: ut should t
added that it cannot be reas onably a
sumed that the hitherto expectar
attitude Of the United States can
indefinitely maintained. While v
are anxious to accord all due r
s.oect to the sovereignty of Spain. Y
cannot view the present conflict
all its features and properly sppen
our inevitable close rels tions to it an
its possible results without conside
ing that by the course Of events Y
may be drawn into such An unusua
unpre ;edented condition as will 6
the limit to our patien, waiting I,
Spain, aud end the contest eth,
alone and in our own way, or wi,
our Fri nd y coopera ion.
The president says il the strusg
degeperates into one of mere mutu
destruction of the island, our ob
cation to the sovereignty OF Spa