The Portland daily press., 1898-03-28
PRESIDENT OUTLINES HIS POLICY.
He Will Try to Feed the Starving and
Avert War.


Kinley talked freely with his congression-
al visitors today both in regard to his
plans for the future and his appreciation
of the situation with reference to Cuba.
His programme as thus outlined is as fol-
lows: To send the report of the Maine
inquiry to Congress on Monday without
recommendation and without explanation
on his part further than to say that he
has acquainted Spain with the ending of
the court; to follow this Tuesday or We'd
nesday with a message dealing with the
condition of the non com batants in Cuba
and asking for an appropriation of $780,
900 for their immediate relief to present
new this condition to Spain, ask that
country to make provision for the care of
her own helpless people and to come to
some terms with the Cubans which will
be satisfactory to them and put an end to
the war; this failing to forcibly intervene
on humanitarian grounds.
The President indicated to his callers
an abiding faith that peace still may be
preserved and determination on his part
to accomplish that end if it may be done
with honor to our own. country and with
out disregarding the demands of humani-
ty. He frankly and repeatedly averred to-
day his desire to prevent conflict, while at
the same time indicating a firm purpose
to secure relief for the starving reconcen-
trados. Indeed the latter purpose appeared
to be the topic uppermost in the Presl-
dents mind. He dwelt upon the fact that
the recognition of belligerent rights or of
independence would not be of any mate
rial service to these unfortunates. He ad-
mitted that such action might be of assist
ance to the men In arlns the lnsurgent
army, but they, he said, have shown p
capacity to take care of themselves and do
not stand in pressing need of our kind
offic es. The President believes Spain vii
interpose no obstacles to our sending sue
cor to her INDECENT people and he will ask
Congress to act promptly that the aid to
be given may not arrive too late to re-
lieye the present pressing necessltles:
This done, the President is hopeful that
Congress will remain quiet while the
executive branch of the government con-
tinues its efforts to secure peaceful set
-tiement of the difficulty. He thinks 1t not
too late to do this and he made the asser-
tion today that Spain was willing to
meet the United States half way in ad-
iusting the ENHANCEMENT without coming
to blows He referred only casually to
the sailing of Spain's torpedo fleet, leav-
ing the impression on the minds of his
visitors that he considered that so far in
this matter Spain is acting within the
bounds of her own rights, and that no
just complaint can yet be made by this
country in regard to this course. He did
not enter into details regarding the prop
ositions he may make or may have made
to Spain, but he left the impression that
he would be satisfied with no settlement
that would not give the Cubans very
liberal form of government, He admitted
frankly that atonomy had proved fail
ure and expressed the opinion that 1t would
be as difficult to satisfy the Americans with
any settlement that might be made as 1t
would be to satisfy the Cubans themselves.
He re asserted the possibility of secur-
ing an agreement on the part OF Spain to
allow Cuba to conduct her own affairs
with absolute freedom except that the
island should be required to pay the
mother country specified sum in the
way of tribute every year out OF her reve-
Dues, seeming to think that this would
form a basis upon which both Spain and
the Cubans could agree without the sac
rifice of too much pride on either side.
Mr.. Mckinley reverted often in his con-
versations to his desire to maintain peace
and dwelt upon the fact that war meant
not only the loss Of life and property, but
that it also would injure our commerce,
disturb business conditions generally, in
crease our public debt, add to our pension
roll and result in many ways to our dis
advantage, and distress. He made it
clear also that whatever course he might
pursue in the future, he would not at
present demand any indemnity at the
hands of Spain for the loss of the Maine,
preferring to leave that matter to the ad-
1ustment of a more quiet period. The
President also spoke of possible co1nplica
tiohs with other nations but he did not
manifest any uneasiness on this score.
Senators who have visited tie President
have without exception, so far as can be
learned, assured him that the Senate ap'
preciates his efforts to preserve peace un-
der proper conditions and have told him
that there is no danger of precipitate
action in that body. They get the impress
sion that If the worst comes and it is ab-
solutely determined that no other course
will avail, the President Will be found
rsasdy for armed intervention. On the
ssore of politics he assures that he would
rather see the Republican party fall of
future success than to wage an unjust
war; but that if war must come. 1T must
be swar for humanity and that this
fact must be made so evident that he will
have the entire nation behind him in a
conflict at arms.
IN Z d