The herald., 1897-12-07
MESSAGE OF PRESIDENT M'KINLEY


confronted this government ut various
times In the past. The story of Cuba
for many years has been one Of unrest
and growing discontent; an effort
toward the larger enjoyment Of liberty
and self control; Of organized resist
ance to the mother country; Of depres-
sion after distress and warfare, and of
inenectual settlement to be followed
by renewed revolt For no enduring
period since the enfranchisement of the
continental possessions of Spain in the
Western continent has the condition of
Cuba or the policy Of Spain toward
Cuba not caused concern to the United
States.
The prospect from time to time that
the weakness of Spains hold upon the
island and the political vicissitudes and
embarrassments of the home govern.
ment might lead to the transfer Of Cuba
to a continental power called forth, be-
tween 1928 and 1860, various emphatic
declarations of the policy of the United
States to permit no disturbance of
Cubas connection with Spain unless
in the direction Of independence, or ac-
QUESTION by the United States through
purchase; nor has there been any change
part of the government.
The revolution which began in 1865,
lasted for ten years, despite the siren
uous efforts of the successive peninsula
governments to suppress it, Then, as
now, the government Of the United
States testified its grave concern and
offered its aid to put an end to blood
shed in Cuba. The overtures made by
Cs.r,n
war dragged on, cntaillng great loss of
life and treasure and increased injury
to American interests, besides throwing
enhanced burdens Of neutrality upon
this government. In 1878 peace was
brought about by the truce Of Zarjon,
obtained by negotiations between the
Spanish commander, Martinez de Cam
pos. and the insurgent leaders.
THE PRESENT INSURRECTION
The present insurrection broke out In
February, 1885, 1t is not my purpose ut
this time to recall it's remarkable in
crease or to characterize it's tenacious
resistance against the enormous forces
massed against it by Spain. The revolt
and the efforts to subdue it carried de-
struction to every quarter of the island
developing wide proportions and defy
ing the efforts of Spain for it's suppress
sion. The civilized code Of war has been
disregarded, no less so by the Spaniards
than by the Cubans.
The existing conditions cannot but
fill this government and the American
people with the gravest apprehensions.
There is no desire on the part of our
people to profit by the misfortunes of
Spain. We have only the desire to see
the Cubans prosperous and contented,
enjoying that measure of sef-control
which is the inalienable right of man.
protected In their right to reap the bene-
fit Of the exhaustless treasures of their
country.
MEDIATION REFUSED
The offer made by my predecessor in
April, 1896, rendering the friendly Of
fees of this government failed, and
mediation on our part was not accepted.
In brief the answer read:
-'There Is no effectual way to pacify
Cuba unless 1t begins with the actual
submission Of the rebels to the mother
country"
I Then only could Spain act in the prom
ised direction of her own motion and
after her own plans. The cruel policy of
concentration was initiated February 1S
1885, The productive districts controlled
by the Spanish armies were depopu-
lated and the agricultural inhabitants
were herded in and about the garrison
towns, their lands laid waste and their
dwellings destroyed. This policy the
late cabinet of Spain justified as neces-
sary measure of war and as means OF
cutting off supplies from the insur-
gents. 1t has utterly failed as war
measure. 1t was not civilized warfare.
It was determination.
AGAINST this abuse of the rights of war
I have felt constrained on repeated oc-
casions to enter the firm and earnest
protest OF this government. There was
much of public condemnation Of the
treatment Of American citizens by al
legged illegal arrests and long imprlson-
ment while awaiting trial or pending pro-
tracted judicial procedures. felt it my
first duty to make instant demand for
the release OF speedy trial of all Ameri-
can citizens under arrest. Before the
cnange of the Spanish Cahincnt in &C.
tobcr last, twenty-five prisoners, citi-
zens Of the United States had been given
their freedom. For the relief Of our cit
izens suffering because of the conflict.
the aid OF Congress was sought in q
special message, and under the appro-
priation of April 4, 1897, effective aid has
been given to American citizens in Cuba,
and many of them at their own request
have been returned to the United States.
AID OFFERED AGAIN
The instructions given to our new
Minister to Spain before his departure
for his post directed him to impress upon
that government the sincere wish Of the
United States to lend it's aid toward end
ing the war in Cuba by reaching peace
full and lasting result. just and honor
able alike to Spain and the Cuban peo-
pie. These instructions recited the
character and duration of the contest,
the widespread losses it entails, the bur-
dens and restraint 1t imposes upon us,
interests and the injury resulting from
an indefinite continuance of this state
Of things. 1t was stated that at this
juncture our government was con-
strained to seriously inquire if the time
was not ripe when Spain, of her own vo-
lition, moved by her own interests and
by sentiment of humanity, should put
q stop to this destructive war and make
proposals of settlement honorable to
herself and just to her Cuban colony.
It was urged that as a neighboring ma
tion, with large interests in Cuba, we
could be required to wait only a rea-
sonable time for the mother country to
establish its authority and restore peace