The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-20
PROBABLE ACTION OF THE
PRESIDENT,

When President Mckinley sent his special
message to Congress, on April II, he turned
the settlement of the Cuban question over
to that body without reservation, invoking
its action ito relieve the intolerable condi-
ton of affairs which is at our DOORS" and
declaring his readiness ito execute every
obligation imposed upon me by the Consti-
tuition and the law Now, Congress, by its
resolutions in favor of intervention, has
placed the matter back again in the Pres
idents hands, with certain directions and
full power to carry them out. Congress has
no further connection with the question be-
yond voting supplies and sustaining the
hands Of the executive in the war which it
has authorized and empowered him to in
augurate. In these circumstances the prob
able action Of the President becomes mat
ter of great interest.
1t is to be observed that Congress does not
declare that a state of war between the
United States and Spain exists. and does
not expressly require the President to in
augurate war. 1t demands the immediate
evacuation of Cuba by Spain and directs the
President to use the entire land and naval
forces of the United States to enforce the
demand. The occupation of Cuba is the OBJ
jective point, and if the President can bring
this about without firing a gun it will be
complete compliance with the demand of
Congress. BY this it is not intended to say
that he would be justified in reopening Dip
lomatic negotiations with Spain, but if the
Spanish government should express its in
tention to comply with the demand and ask
for a few days in which to complete ar
rangements for evacuation of the island he
would be justified in entering into nego-
tiation for. that purpose. A bloodless vic
tory of that kind would be one of the most
remarkable on record, and a great triumph
for this government. If the Spanish gov
eminent waits for the United States to take
the initiative under the resolutions of Con-
gress it is probable the President will COM
municate them to Spain and give a definite
time. perhaps forty-eight to seventy-two
hours, for compliance or answer, at the ex-
piration of which period, il there is neither
compliance nor satisfactory answer by
Spain, he will send an expedition against
Havana. The driving of the Spaniards
from (uDa DelnB the prime ODJSCl u lHS
war; the first blow would probably be
struck against the capital of the island.
That it would be weil~directed and effect
i've blow none can doubt. An Ohio snan who
knows the President we'll said a few weeks
ago, HE is cool-headed and slow TO anger
but when he strikes he will strike hard. :
The President is soldier as well as states
man. and doubtless realizes that a failure
at the beginning would be very disastrous
When he orders an attack on Havana 1t
will mean the capture of the city. 1t is not
likely that the city will be sheled, except
as last resort. or unless the resistance
should be- beyond all anticipation The kill
ing of noncombatants should be avoided il
possible, and foreign interests in Havana,
including property of great value owned by
Americans, would make bombardment of
the city a last resort. The attack would
doubtless be directed against the batteries
on the water front. which our naval ex-
perts believe could be destroyed, or at least
rendered ineffective for defensive purposes
from the water side. If this view prevails
the naval attack on Havana may be ordered
without waiting for the embarkation OF