The record-union., 1898-04-12
THE MESSAGE OF THE PRESI-
DENT

the country. It must be read in its
entirety, and the good citizen will hold
it to be his duty to do So since it pre-
sents the facts of the present situation
and the history Of all the past relating
to it in a concise form, in simple, direct
and unmistakable language, and
with temperance and GOODNESS, in
most suggestive contrast with the
fevered. heated and inconsiderate
explosions of wordy orators and the
Incorporate and perfervid statements,
distorted news reports and intiamma-
tory appeals to the passions by the SEN
sational press.
The message is a strong, statesman
like document IN opposition to the
recognition of the independence of the
so-called Cuban Government, and in
defense of the e-honored policy of
this nation. 1t is a strong, temperate,
dignifed and well-fortifed document,
reafirming the policy of this Govern
ment not to become involved in any
entangling alliances with foreign pow
ers; to prosecute no conquests, and
not to Interfere in the domestic affairs
of any foreign State unsolicited except
in case of one lying at our very thresh-
old. the condition of which involves our
vital interests and appeals to our hu-
name promptings. Such a case as that
of Cuba, concerning which humanity s
call, the protection of our citizens, their
property rights and commerce, make it
imperative that a cruel, unparalleled
and unnatural contest shall be brought
to a speedy close and a stable form
of government, insuring peace and
prosperity, shall be substituted for an
archy, the torch, starvation and out
rage upon every humane instinct.
The President, who better than any
one else, has knowledge of all the facts
of the Cuban case, holds that this ma
ton is not justified in recognizing the
insurgent civil Government, because
neither it nor the Government of Spain
has proved capable of bringing peace
to the island, of protecting their own
people, or guarding the interests of
ours in that land The fact of the de-
struction of the Maine in a Spanish
harbor, where it ought to have been
safeguarded against assault and injury,
is wisely instanced as an evidence of
incompetency on the part of Spain.
But the President holds that our in
terests, those of our people, of the
commerce we have with the island, the
irritation the present intolerable state
of affairs occasions in the United
States, the horror of the methods of
warfare pursued by both parties, the
inhumanities practiced by Spain upon
the non-combatants, the cost to this
Government of policing coasts to pre-
vent violation of the neutrality laws,
the inefficiency of Spain and the Gu
bans to restore order, the unnatural
and intolerable condition Of the con-
mand that we shall intervene as a
neutral, with force if need be, to COM
pei cessation of hostilities and to ex-
ercise such control as is necessary un-
til there is established in Cuba a Gov
ernment stable and able to control do
mestic affairs and insure peace to that
section of the globe.
His emphatic declaration is that
the war in Cuba must cease;
that the paciacation of the ISL
and must be accomplished by the
United States, not as an ally, not
as a second to the insurgents, nor sub
ject to their direction, not as an enemy
of Spain, but as a great peace loving
people, who are outraged by the con-
dition of affairs, and are resolved that
pacification shall be effected and a
strong, efficient Government estab-
lished in the island To these ends
he asks that the Executive may be
equipped with the necessary power to
employ the arms of the United States,
and also that he be given sufficient
from the public treasury to supplement
present relief measures for the succor
of the reconcentrados.
AS to the Maine incident, he declares
that the nation reposes perfect conf
dence in the finding of its Court of
Inquiry that the ship was destroyed
by exterior explosion, not due to any
act or neglect on the part of the ships
crew or officers. This finding has been
communicated to Spain. and its an
swer has been a suggestion that an in
ternational Board of Inquiry be set up,
TO settle the disputed facts relative to
the blowing up of the ship, and by the
decision of such a Board of Inquiry
and Arbitration. Spain in advance
pledges itself to abide. To this note
from Spain the President says ne has
made no reply. There is no suggestion
by him that the Maine disaster is or
is not a cause for war.
Throughout the message breathes
pacif1eation. 1t is a strong and humane
protest and forcible exposition of jus
tif1cation for Intervention by the United
States to bring to an end an intolerable
warfare that has continued now for
more than three years, and which is
but the latest of a series of revolts and
revolutions which have drenched Cuba