Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-04-20

friendly harbor, have been hurled to
death. grief and want brought TO their
homes. and sorrow to the nation.
THE naval court of inquiry, which. It
is needless to say, commands the I'M
qualified confidence of the government
was unanimous in its conclusion that the
destruction of the Maine was caused by
an exterior explosion, that of a submarine
mine. 1t did not assume to place the re-
sponsibility. That remains to be fixed.
In any event the destruction of the
Maine, by whatever exterior cause, is a
patent and impressive proof of a state Of
things in Cuba that is intolerable. That
condition Is thus shown to be such that
the Spanish government can not assure
safety and security to a vessel of the
American navy In the harbor of Havana
on mission of peace and rightfully there.
AS an answer to the diversity of views
between the report of the American and
Spanish boards as to tho destruction of
the Maine, Spain proposes that the fact
be ascertaincd by an impartial investiga-
ton by experts. which decision Spain
accepts In advance. To this have made
no reply.
The president quotes his message to
congress December last as follows
T" Sure of the right. keeping free from
all offense ourselves, actuated only by
upright and patriotic considerations,
moved neither by passion nor selfishness.
the government will continue its watch
full care over the rights and property of
American citizens and will abate none
OF its efforts 10 bring about by peaceful
agencies peace which shall be honor
able and enduring. If IL shall hereafter
appear to be duty imposed by our OBJ
legations to ourselves. to civilization and
humanity to intervene with force. II shall
be without fault on our part, and only
because the necessity for such action Will
be so clear as to command the support
and approval OF the civilized world
The message concludes:
"The long Il nj has proved that the OBJ
ject for which Spain has waged tho war
can not DO attained. The firse OF insur-
rection may flame or may smolder with
varying seasons, but II has not been and
1t is plain that 1t can not be extinguished
by present methods. The only hope of
relief and repose from a condition which
can not longer be endured Is the enforced
pacification of Cuba. In the name Of hui
manity, 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.
I'm view OF these facts and these con-
siderations. / ask the congress TO au-
thorize and empower the president to
take measures to secure a full and speedy
termination of hostilities between the gov
eminent Of Spain and the people of Cuba
and to secure In the island the establish
ment OF stable government capable OF
maintaining order and observing it's in
ternational obligations. insuring peace and
tranquility and the security of its citi-
zens. az well as our own. and to use the
military and naval forces of the United
States as may be necessary for these pur-
poses.
''And in the interest OF humanity and
to aid in preserving the lives of the starv-
ing people Of the island. 1 recommend that
the distribution of food and supplies be
continued. and that an appropriation be
made out, of the public treasury to sup
plement the charity of our citizens.
THE issue is now with the congress. 1t
is a solemn responsibility. j have ex-
hausted every effort to relieve the intol-
cradle condition of affairs which is at our
doors. Prepared to execute every obliga-
ton imposed upon me by the constitu-
ton and the law, await your action.
Yesterday, and since the preparation
of the foregoing message, official informa-
ton was received by me that the latest
decree OF the Queen Regent of Spain d.
reefs General Blanco, In order to prepare
and facilitate peace. to proclaim a suspen-
sion of hostilities, the duration and de-
tails of which have not yet been communi-
Gated to me. This fact, with every other
pertinent consideration, will, I am sure.
have your just and careful attention I'm
the solemn deliberations upon which you
are about TO enter. II this measure at
tains a successful result, then our aspi-
rations as Christian, peace-loving peo-
pie will be realized. II II fails, Il will be
only another justification for our con-
templated action.
WILLIAM MKINLEY.
Executive Mansion, April II, 1885"
Referred Without Debate.