Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-07
VIEWS OF THE PRESS
Newspaper Comments on the Presi-
dents Message.
HIGH PRAISE FOR A STATE PAPER
Its Manner Of Treating Public
Questions Approved.
EDITORIALS IN BRIEF
EDITORIALS IN BRIEF
Admirable ms to Cuba.

! ITcSlueul MChIUley uedAS Win tUlS SUD-
ject (Cuba) in an admirable manner, show
| ing in no offensive way that the granting
of belligerent rights is not a legislative,
but an executive proceeding; that its exer-
| else depends upon facts which can be as
certained only by the executive, and that
| the granting of belligerency would not
| change the status of the rebels, except for
| the worse, since it would give Spain the
| right of search on the high seas, even up
| to the margin Of our territorial waters. The
| impressive words used by Gen. Grant in a
| message to Congress on a similar occasion
are quoted at length and approved. In
deed, the granting of belligerent rights to
| the Cuban rebels Is discountenanced in
| every possible way. The upshot of the
! whole Cuban matter Is that we ought to
help the Cubans to gain autonomy. but not
| to commit any breach of the law of ma
! tions, and that, IF it shall hereafter ap-
pear to be a duty imposed by our obliga-
| lions to ourselves. to civilization and hui
| manity. to intervene with force, 1t shall be
| without fault on our part, and only because
the necessity for such action will be SO
clear as to command the support and ap-
proval of the civilized world" If the latter
| condition is fulfilled. not even Spain will
| have room for complaint. The message.
indeed, can hardly fail to have strong
| Influence in Spain and Cuba, as well as in
| the United States, and we cannot doubt
that the influence will be beneficial.
! Subject Ably Handled.
| From the Baltimore News.
| The Presidents treatment of the Cuban
| question Is as able as his handling of the
currency question is weak. 1t reviews the
| history of the trouble between Spain and
| her West Indian dependency and of our
| own connection with the matter, in so
clear and impartial manner that the
statement cannot fail to carry weight in
| all quarters 1t will be difficult for the ad-
| vocates of a "hurrah" policy to make head
| against the showing made by the President
| OF what has been thus far accomplished by
the policy of tirmness combined with mod
| era ton.
| Inspiring and Heartenfng.
! From the New York Mall and Express.
| President Mckinley throughout his Off
| cial career has shown a disposition to take
| the public into his confidence and to avoid
| that needless mystery which leads to false
| report and mistaken speculation.
| 1t is characteristic of the President that
| he should at the outset extend a greeting
| of cordial welcome to the Congress. He be-
| licves In cultvating harmony between the
| executive and legislative branches of the
| government, instead of inviting hostile col
| lision; AID it was this sensible and pa
| triotic attitude which made much for the
| successful enactment OF tariff of pros
| perity at the extra session. despite the fact
| that the party of the administration was
| not and is not in control of the Senate.
| This spirit of cooperation finds yet broad
| er expression in lifting above par;iSanship
| prejudice or section the great Quest lions of
| foreign policy, revenue, currency. national
| obligations and the improvement Of the
! public service. When President addresses
| himself to his task in such a spirit of
| broad and exalted patriotism, he is sure to
| enlist the instant and sympathetic atten-
| ton of the whole people
| II is comprehensive message. bristling
| with suggestions, inspiring to action, heart
| ening to the country and dignfied in every
| aspect.
| Clear and vigOrOug English.
| From the Philadelphia Telegraph -..----'
| The document is written in clear and Wig
| orOuS English, and is manifestly the work
| of a man of convictions, who has the cour-
age of them. and who is not disposed to
drift hither and thther with every wind of
| popular fancy and sentiment.
Clear and Firm.
| From the Brooklyn Eagle.
| The practical. clear, conciliatory. yet firm
| character of the message cOmmends 1t to
earnest and patriotic citizens. regardless of
| party. The hope will be4general that the
| Congress may act in the wise and moderate
| spirit of the Presidents recommendations
Expresses the Peoples Opinion.
| From the Newark Advertiser.
What the President says about the
| finances is the expression of the enlight-
ened opinion of the nation. His words will
have their effect in minds heretofore OBJ
| stinately closed to rational arguments.
What he says about Cuba is the utter
ance of thoughtful craftsmanship. The
| President does not spare Spanish rule In
Cuba. He fifty characterizes the butcher
| General Weyler, who was recently recalled
by the Spanish government.
! On the subject of Hawaii, the President
says that every consideration of honor de.
mands the confirmation of the annexation
treaty. Therein he reflects the almost
unanimous sentiment of the American peo-
pie.
Every citizen should read the Presidents
| message. 1t is full of patriotic interest
and 1t presents in concrete form the great
ti<r,e
| of the nation.
| 1t Will BE Read.
From the New York Evening Sun.
The Presidents message will be more
generally read than any message of recent
years because it treats of some questions
| which have reached a crucial stage, such
as our duty toward Cuba, Hawaiian an
nexatioB. the Berrg controversy and
| bmetallism. President McKinley's views
and recommendations are expressed in
language as terse and direct as to the ma
ture of the subjects treated will permit.
Peace With Arbitration.
From the New York Herald.
Here is the high-water mark of the mes
sage: 1.-The best sentiment of the civilized
world" says the President. lis moving to-
ward the settlement of differences between
nations without resorting to the horrors Of
war. Treaties embodying these humane
principles on broad lines without in any
way imperiling our interests or our honor
shall have my constant encouragement
This is a high concession to the spirit of
the hour. Truly, as the President says, the
best sentiment of civilization moves to-
ward peace with arbitration. A summer
campaign will waste the industry of a gen.
Grafton. 1t Is not war alone, but the losses
which come as it's sinister aftermath, such
as our own generation Of pension burdens.
| A wise Congress will follow sailing d.
rections, Peace with industry at home;
peace with arbitration abroad" We do not
crave an interesting session, or brilliant
Debates or coruscating craftsmanship We
have had enough of war, more than enough
of jingoism, and ow peace.
Peace with industry at home.
| Peace with arbitration abroad.
| These are the watchwords of the hour.
And as Congress heeds them with vigilance,
courage and hope, it will be well for Con-
gress and the people. These words are the
alpha and omega Of American statesman
ship.
Conservative Cuban Policy.
From the Baltimore Sun.
The best part Of the message is that
! which is devoted to the consideration OF
the Cuban question, which is treated at
length In a tone of great moderation and
conservatism. of sound craftsmanship and
| patriotism. The considerations by which
the President processes to be governed are
l ;na ho rff ~ Cor