New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-18
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

The most noteworthy feature Of the Presi-
dents Message Is its absolute lack of mention
OF the Cuban war. 1t declares, on the strength
Of official information. that many American citi-
zcns In Cuba are In distress. 1t does not tell
what has caused their distress whether war or
resilence, fire OF food. There is not the slight
est reference to the war which has been rag
Ing for more than two years. or to the more re-
cent orders Of General Wcyler, which have di-
rectly caused the restitution complained Of
Neither the Spanish Government, nor It's agents
in Cuba, nor yet the insurgent party, is so much
as mentioned.
This feature Of the Message may cause sur
prise, and provoke in some quarters unfavorapie
comment. Reflection will, however, show its
wisdom. This is a Message for asking relief not
for discussing belgerency. The immediate duty
Of the hour is to rescue the six hundred or eight
hundred American citizens ip Cuba who are PEI
ishing for lack Of food and medicines. That
should be done, in the name of humanity ana OF
patriotism, without regard TO the origin OF their
distress. There will be time enough to inquire
irto that afterward to fix responsibility 1or IT.
and to exact compensation, II any be round 10 DC
due. To enter into such considerations now
would be to delay and probably to defeat the
whole scheme of relief. The PRESIDENT mas
done well in thus distinctly separating the two
questions.
Commendable also is the suggestion that
American citizens in Cuba WHO wish TO come
home shall be brought home. 1t is earnestly to
he hoped that they will all wish to come. ana
will be brought, and will stay here until the
war is over. They can do no good there either
70 themselves or to anybody else. They have
been forbidden by the Spanish Government 70
remain in the enjoyment Of their property or
in pursuit Of their vocatons, and they must
obey. leaving the question Of compensation Tor
their losses to be settled by this Government;
and this Government may be trusted to do so
inst as efficiently If they are here as II they are
there In fact, 1t can do so more readily, since
+. will then be freed from innumeraDle con-
troversies with Spain over alleged 1niractlohs
Of the neutrality laws, which are apt 10 pe
charged against American citizens as long rs
they remain in Cuba.
Congress will do well promptly to appropriate
the sum-only S50OO0-asked for by the fresi-
dent The Senate has already voted 10 90 3D.
End the House would have done the same WIN.
out hesitation had II not been FOR the lii-'iiheu
objection of the Democratic leader Appar
cntly that notwithstanding statesman "o'io
rather have the American citizens IN Cuba Tor
whose welfare he pretends TO be so sollcitous,
starve and die, than forego an opportunity Oh
airing his Jingosm. That IS conception OF
both humanity and patriotism OF wnicn une
Democrats arc welco ne to have monopoly. III
is not to be imagined. however, that such ODD
s,ruction will long stand in the way Of this WORK
Of mercy. Once the money is voted the STATE
Department. will no doubt act with promp'hess
and with due discretion in administering the
fund.