The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-07
WEAK AND CoLoRLEss,
London Press Comment on the Pres
dents Message.

LONDON, Dec. THE Daily Tele-
graph, commenting editorially on Pres
ident McKinIeys message, this morn
ing, says: TT used to be Americas
proud boast that she had no foreign
policy. Judging from President Nc
Kinley's message the new world is no
more free from the burdens Of dipIo-
matte negotiations than the old In a
document Of portentous length, mostly
intended for Spanish consumption,
President Mckinley has devised
spacious pretext for gaining time It
contains passages that will certainly
wound Spain's national susceptibilities.
The whole tone, though meant to be
conciliatory, savors too much of the
magistrate availing himself Of the
first offenders act, to be very accepta-
BILE at Madrid. Spain may not be so
thick skinned as we are to these deli
cate usageS of Americas diplomatic
courtesy. Moreover, there are serious
dangers of revolution in Spain, and the
indiscreet adjectives President McKir.-
ley applies to Gen. Weyler's policy will
not lessen the latter's popularity. Much
depends upon the attitude Of congress.
If, as our correspondent thinks, the
jingoes acquiesce in the decision of the
executive, and give the Spaniards a
chance all may yet be well, but recent
experience does not make US oversan-
guine.'
The Daily Chronicle describes the
message as weak and colorless, COM
pared with the vigorous handling of
public questions to which Mr.. Cleye-
land accustomed US. 1t says: 1.-The eX-
PLANTATION of this is simple. Mr.. Cleve-
land was in front of congress- Mr. Nc
Kinley is behind it. The presidents
comments on the currency issue are
positively childlike in their simplicity.
1t is safe to prophesy that his treat
ment of the Cuban question will be
received with storm. The annexa-
ton of Cuba would be deplorable
mistake; but the reasons for refraining
from that course are not the milk and
water ones Mr.. Mckinley advances"
The Morning Post, after paying a
tribute to the presidents fine sense of
duty, in the face of domestic trouble.
in sending the message at the appoint
ed hour. says: THE message adum-
brates a scheme Of legislative effort
less short-sighted and less calculated
to set class against class than the mis-
guided policy of the last session. On
the Cuban question the president is
vague and diffuSe, but studiOusly COR
rect. Cuban matters, however, are I'M
important as compared with the grave
issues of domestic affairs The bic
battle of the session will be fought on
the ground of home politics and fl
nance" The editorial specially praises
President McKinley's treatment of the
currency question.
The Times says: Its tone Of patron
lZ1ng tolerance will make the message
not wholly agreeable to Spain. PROB
ably the president calculates that If
he can satisfy the jingoes for a. time
with eloquent denunciations and warn
1ngs, he will find it easier to pursue a
moderate policy. Regarding his cur
rency proposals it seems too probable
that Mr.. Mckinley still clings to the
notion that something may be done for
silver So long as he follows that will
O. the wisp he can hardly be expected
TO attempt any going reform
OF the currency"
The Standard says: 'The best that
can be said of the message is that II
is absolutely unexciting. AS a distin-
gu1shed politician. the president la
bored under grave. difficulties, and it is
no reprGach to his skill that he has
Iailed to surmount them. If Mr.. Nc
hlniey represents anything so far. it
is the new tariff, which is confessedIy
a palpable failure The whole cur
rency plan hangs upon the condition
VI an tAcnequer surplus; but when
VIII that happy day arrive? Foreign
affairs are treated temporarily. With
regard to Cuba, the president has
taken care to keep within the limits
OF international comfy and good feel
ing. With reference to his declaration
that, should America be compelled to
intervene, it will only be because the
necessity for such action will be so
clear as to command the support and
approval of the civilized world"
The Standard exclaims: "The Span
ish ministry can sleep. in peace"
The Daily News says that the mes
sage is characterized by a desire to
displease nobody Referring to Sec
rotary Cages currency plan, the edi-
torial asserts that Mr. Cleveland's
similar plan never found favor with
congress. AS to the Cuban question,
the Daily NeVs thinks ''the message
rings true, and promises fair trial of
SPANS new plans, more than which
the president could not. be expected to
do"