Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-04-18

justly honorable to all concerned. The
earnest desire has been for the peace
and prosperity of Cuba, untarnishad
| by dlHerences between the United
States and Spain, and unstained by
the blood of American citizens. The
president then points out that forcible
intervention as neutral to stop war
on dictates of humanity has many
historical precedents, and is justifable
on rational ground. "It involves hos
tile constraint on both parties to the
contest, as we'll as in force of truce. as
guide to eventual settlement
The grounds for Intervention are
summarized as follows: First, the
cause of humanity. Second, protec-
ton of our citizens in Cuba Third.
serious injury to the commerce Of our
people. Fourth, and which is of most
Importance, the present condition OF
affairs in Cuba is constant menace
to our peace, and entails on this gov
eminent enormous expense. With
such a conflict waged for years in an
island near us with which our people
have so great trade relations, when
"the lives and liberties Of our citizens
are in constant danger, their property
destroyed, themselves ruined, where's
our trading vessels are liable to seiz-
ure and are seized at our very door by
the warships of foreign nation, ex1
petitions of filibustering that we are
powerless to prevent altogether these
irritating questions and entanglements
thus arising, and others I need not
mention, with resulting strained rela-
tions, are a constant menace to our
people and keep them on a constant
semi-war footing with nation which
we are at peace"
The message says the report of the
Maine court that the vessel was de-
stroyed by mine leaves the response
bility to be fixed, but holds in any
event that the destruction of the
Maine by whatever exterior cause, is
patent and impressive proof of state
of things in Cuba that is intolerable,"
since Spain cannot assure the safety Of
the vessels of the American navy in
her waters on friendly mission
even. Concerning the differences be-
tween the Spanish view of the cause OF
the disaster and the American, and the
suggestion by Spain that the matter ia
submitted to experts, Spain to make
any reparation they find just, the pres
ident says he has made no reply. !!
The president then quotes the mes
sage of Grant in 1875, and from that
OF Cleveland in his last annual mes
sage, to the effect that when Spanish
sovereignty in Cuba should become so
weakened as be hopeless of final main
tenance, the duty would devolve on
this government to intervene.
Mckinley then quotes from his own
message of last December looking to
intervention with force as a last re-
sort, and says: Long trial has
proved that the object for which Spain
has Waged war cannot be attained.
The fire of instruction may flame or
shoulder with varying seasons, but it
has not been and it is plain cannot
be extinguished by present methods.
The only hope of relief and reposa
from a condition which cannot longer
be endured is the enforced pacffcation
OF Cuba. In the name of humanity,
in the name of civilization, in behalf
OF endangered American interests
which give us the right and duty to
speak and act, the war in Cuba must
stop. In view of these facts and con
slderations, | ask congress to authorize
I10
measures to secure full termina-
ton of hostilities between the govern
ment of Spain and the Cuban people.
secure to the island the establishment
OF stable government capable of
maintaining order and observing in
ternational obligations, insuring the
peace, tranquility and security of it's
cltlzens, as well as our own, and tn
use the military and naval forces of
the United States as may be necessary
for these purposes. And in the inter
est OF humanity and in aid of preserv-
ing the lives of the starving people of
that island, recommend that the dis
tribution of food and sup
plies be continued, and that
Oil dPPIOpI1dClOu De maze out or
the public treasury to supplement the
charity Of citizens The issue is now
in congress. 1t is a solemn RESPONSE
bility. I have exhausted every effort
to relieve the intolerable condition of
affairs at our doors. Prepared to exc
cute every obligation imposed on me
by the constitution and by law, await
your action"
The message was referred to the
foreign affairs committees in the SEN
ate and house without action. The
reading Of the message in the house
was greeted with scattering applause
on the republican side, and some
groans on the democratic side. The
galleries made no demonstrations