The times., 1897-05-03
Circulation Statement.
WASHINGTON, MONDAY, MAY 8.
President Mckinley, Attention.

WASHINGTON, MONDAY, MAY 8.
President Mckinley, Attention.!
In state of suppressed indignation the
American people sat through the last two
years OF Cleveland's Administration: on
the one hand witnessing the imprisonment,
torture and murder of American citizens
and the outrage and butchery of women,
girlS and children by the Spaniagds IN
Cuba; on the other remarking the COM
placent attitude of the then President
aud Secretary of State, whose only action
in the premises was n the line of assistance
to the hyena Weyler in his fiendish cru
sade against belplessness and innocence.
During most OF the final year Of that dis
graceful regime the public believed that
the day OF redemption would come on the
4th of Marca, 1897. They knew that if
Mr.. Bryan became President Spanish
atrocities would cease within forty-eight
hours, and that American citizens con-
fined in Spanish dungeons would be re-
leased instantly, or a fleet of American war
vessels would be In Havana harbor within
I'll
event OF Mr. McKinley's election, they had
q right 10 expect similar action; for had
not the Republican national platform
adopted at tie st. Louis convention de-
claTed: I'VE watch with deep and abiding
interest the heroic battle of the Cuban
patriots against cruelty and oppression,
and our hest hopes go out for the fun
success OF their determined contest for
Hberty?" Did it not also assert that the
government OF Spain had lost control nf the
island, anG was unable to protect the
property ard lives OF resident American
citizens or TO comply with its treaty OBJ
legations, and that, therefore, the United
States ought to use its influence to secure
the Independence of the stricken country?
Surely, here was reason enough to think
that the end of Cleveland would be the end
of national dishonor and blood -guiItiness
in respect to Cuba.
Mr.. Mckinley has been President for two
months. lacking day or two He has had
time to accustom himself to the cares and
dignity of his high position, and ample
opportunity to ascertain his duty with re-
gard to our Cuban relations. Indeed, it is
z-ot to be supposed that he was not master
of the subject before be took the oath OF
office. 1t was known that there was not
line in the St Louis platform that cid
not attract his earnest study during the
months of the campaign. The debates in
tie Congress and the sickening evidence of
Spanish deviltry brought out in connection
with them, were open TO and were care
Fifty-fourth Congress had done in the
matter. He could not be otherwise than
completely aware that the people were a
unit in calling for national action that at
least would compel the Spanish govern.
ment to accord the rights of civilized war
fare to Cuban prisoners, and to stop the
hellish torture and murder of American
citizens. non-combatants, and the outrage
and hutcltery of helpless women and babes;
nor that the Fifty-fffth Congress would
be overjoy ed to assist him In giving effect
to the popular demand.
But in ali these weeks he has given no
sign. 1t is true that several gentlemen In
turn have been exhibited before the pub
lie as his future agents to conduct inves-
tigation of subject with which he must
be thoroughly familiar in advance, on any
hypothesis consistent with his possession
of ordinary intelligence and common sense.
These agents. however, have not gone to
Cuba Their time has been spent between
New York. Washington and Canton, and
the season IN which it is feasible for
strangers TO travel in Cuba has been frit-
tered away, very strangely under the cir
cumstances.
President Mckinley must have read daily
accounts OF the horrible atrocities of the
Spaniards; of their sale at public auction
OF little Cuban girls to life OF shame;
pr the bIooo-curdlfng massacre of sucking