The Ravalli Republican., 1898-04-13
THE MESSAGE.

body Monday The message opens1
with reference to the duty OF tie
president to address congress with
regard TO the grave condition that
has arisen ili the relations OF the
United States and Spain by reason
of the conditions or warfare which
have ragged in a ncighboring island
for more than three years, and the
president SAYS:
| do So because of the intimate
connection of the Cuban question
with the state Of our own union and
the grave relation the course which
is now incumbent upon the nation
to adopt must needs bear to the
traditional policy OF our government
if it is to accord with the prccepts
laid down by the founders Of the
republic and rcligiously observed by
succeeding administrations to the
present day.
The present revolution is but the
successor Of other similar insurrcc-
tions which have occurred in Cuba
against the dominion Of Spain, cX-
tending over a period Of nearly half
IL century, each Of which, during
its progress, has subjected the
United States to great effort and
expense in enforcing its neutrality
laws, caused enormous loss to the
American trade and commerce and
irritation, annoyance aud distu rb-
ancc among our citizens, and by the
exercise Of cruel, barbarious and un-
civilized practices Of warfare, shock
cd the scnsibilities and offended the
humane sympathics Of our neople.
The message then goes on to re-
cite the efforts of Mr.. Cleveland; to
be allowed to mediate between Spain
and the Cubans in order that peace
might come, and the refusal of Spain
to accept his good offices. Then fol-
Ilows description Of the'sutferlngs OF
the roconcentradus under policy
that practically meant determination,
ulQ tHC tll0! US VI CllO pttoE'lo g."
miuistration to relieve that suffer
ING. and which have been only par
TALLY successful The message tells
Of the efforts Of the president for a
lasting peace that would be salts
factory to the people Of Cuba, and
Of the practical failure because Of
the refusal Of Spain of shy other
peace measures except such as might
be arranged between the insular gov
ernment Of Cuba and the insurgents,
and adds: "With this last overture
in the direction Of Immediate peace,
and it's disappointing reception BY
Spain, the executive was brought tt
the end Of his effort"
The president then goes on to treat
of the several plans for ending the
trouble. Speaking Of annexation ne
SAYS that cannot be thought OF, as bA
our code of morality that would be
criminal aggression. The alterna
tivcs arc recognition Of independence
and intervention. !n regard TO re
counition he quotes President Gran
and President jackson. The latter
in the matter Of recognizing tn
Texas republic, held that such coul(
! not be done until the danger of it
being again svbiugatcd by the pa7en
state had entirely passed away, ant
the congress to which President Jack
son submitted his views acquiesced II
these views and left the matter Q
, recognition to the discretion of til
executive.
President Mckinley does not thin
it wise or expedent or prudent fo
this country to recognize at this tim
the independence Of the so-calle
Cuban republic, and concludes tn
message in the foll)wing words:
= Such recognition is not necessar
> III order TO enable the United State
: to Intervene and pacify the islan(
y TO commit this country now to II
recognition Of any particular forl
;, ;, of government in Cuba might sui
= jcct us to embarrassing conditions {
= international obligation toward tt
= organization SO recognized. In ca!
- Of intcrvention; our conduct will
subject to the approval or disapproy
>, Of such government. We would
-. :. required to submit to its directi(
- and 60 assume to TT the mere RELATE
~ :, of friendly ally, When It shall a
= r, pear thereafter that there is with
" the island government capable
n ); performing the duties and dischar
inc the functions Of a nation al
having as Il matter Of fact, t
proper fofms and attributes Of l
!. tionality, such government can
r6 rs promptly and readily recognized a
len the relations and interests Of t
an Uuited States with such nation ;
T Trk justed.
There remains the ulternat
forms of intervention to end the Y
!, as an impartial neutral by imposi
.a1 , a national compromise between
~ contestants or as the active ally
,oe the one party or the other. KS
;Ih . the first, It is not to be forgotten Il
~ during The last few months the rt