The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-04-19
SPAIN DECLARES ARMISTICE
COnSul-GeneraI Lee Sails From
Cuba - Additions to the
American Fleet.

The long trial has proved that the
object for which Spain has waged the
war cannot be attained. The fire of in
surrectfon may flame or may smOuldeT
with the varying seasons, but it has
not been and it is plain that it cannot
be extinguished by present methods.
| The only hope of relief and repose from
a condition which cannot longer be en-
| dured is the enforced pacifcation of
| Cuba. In the name of humanity, in
| the name of civilization, in behalf of
| endangered American interests, which
give us the right and the duty to speak
and to act, the war in Cuba must stop.
''In view cf these facts and these con-
thorize and empower the President to
take measures to secure a full termina-
tion Cf hostilities between the Govern
ment of Spain and the people of Cuba,
and to secure in the island the estab-
lishment of a stable government cap
able Of maintaining order and observ-
ing its international obligations, en-
surfing peace and tranquility and the
security of its citizens as we'll as our
own, and to use the military and naval
forces of the United States as may be
necessary for these purposes, and in
the interest of humanity and to aid in
preserving the lives of the starving
people of the island, [ recommend that
the distribution of food and supplies
be continued and that an appropriation
be made out of the public treasury to
supplement the charity of our citi-
zens.
"The issue is now with Congress. 1t
is a solemn responsibility. have ex-
hausted every effort to relieve the in
tolerable condition of affairs which is
every obligation imposed upon me by
the Constitution and the law, [ await
your action.
Yesterday and since the prepara-
tion of the foregoing message official
information was received by me that |
the fastest decree Of the Queen Regent
ofSpain directs General Blanco in order |
to prepare and facilitate peace, to pro |
claim a suspension of hostilities, the
duration and details of which have not |
been communicated to me. This fact, /
with every other pertinent considera-
tion, will, 1 am sure, have your just
and careful attention in the solemn
deliberations upon which you are about
to enter. If this measure attains
as a Christian, peace-Ioving people
will be realized. If it fails, it will be
only another justification for our con-
action.
''(Signed) WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
Executive Mansion, April 11th."
These are the closing paragraphs Of
President McKtnley's long expected |
message to Congress on the Cuban |
situation. 1t was sent after Consul |
General Lee and the other Americans
who wished had left Cuba and had |
reached their native country. In this |
message the President reviews the |
principal incidents of Cuba's long and /
bitter struggle for independence. He
briefly summarizes the attempts on
the part of the United States to secure |
peace, and quotes from his messages /
to Congress and the diplomatic cor
respondence with Spain.
President Mckinley declares that it
is inexpedient to recognize the inde-
dence Of Cuba at this time This is
the position which he has held during /
his administration. He believes that /
to recognize such independence might !
subject the United States to embarras-
sing conditions of international obliga-
tions. He maintains, however that
such recognition is unnecessary to en-