The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1898-12-08
The Presidents Message.

OANS - AOH NSA-o> -
ant messages ever presented to the
Congress of the United States Presi-
dent Mckinley gives an exhaustive
statement of the salient facts and
problems growing out of the events OF
the past year and treats them with
statesmanlike foresight. He does not
speculate on possible future develop
ments, but leaves the government free
to adopt such policies as in the end
may prove wisest, unhampered By any
previous declaration.
AS was to be expected in the present
circumstances the greater part of the
Presidents message is devoted to a
resume of the events of the war. From
the intolerable conditions existing in
Cuba under.S parish: denomination, which
provoked the interference of the United
States, and the Maine disaster, tc the
meeting of the peace commission in
Paris the message reviews the details
of events leading up to the war, its
declaration and progress and the final
negotiation of peace. But of the
treatment of questions growing out of
the war the President speaks very re.
servedly. In relation to the govern
ment of Cuba his suggestions are ex-
plicit, direct and harmonious with the
avowed purposes of the war. In &C.
cordance with the first clause of the
joint resolution of our government
declaring "that the people OF the island
of Cuba are and of right ought TO be,
free ana independent" the Ike! note of
the Presidents plans is ultimate and
absolute independence for the people
of that island. There is no hint of
United States ownership or control of
the island after circumstances and con-
ditions, which we must hasten to create,
are ripe for Cuban independence. The
words of the message in this regard are
as follows:
AS soon as we are in possession OF
Cuba and have pacitied the island, it
will be necessary TO give aid and direc
ton to it's people to form d government
for themselves. This should be under
taken at the earliest moment consistent
with safety and assured success. 1t is
that our relations with these
people shall be of the most friendly
character and our commercial relations
close and reciprocal.
It should be our duty to assist in
every proper way to build up the waste
places of the island, encourage the
industry of the people and assist them
to form a government which shall be
free and independent, thus realizing
the best aspirations of the Cuban
people.
Spanish rule must be replaced by a
just, benevolent and humane govern
ment, created by the people of Cuba,
capable of performing all international
obligations, and which shall encourage
thrift, industry and prosperity, and
promote peace and good will among all
of the inhabitants, whatever may have
been their relations in the past.
Neither revenge nor passion should
have a place in the new government.
Until there is complete tranquility in
the island and a stable government
military occupation will
be continued.
Certainly disinterestedness, except
for Cuba's good, characterizes this
portion of,the message.
AS to Puerto Rico and the Philip
pines, the President makes 40 recon-
There seems to be tacit
understanding, indirectly expressed,
that these possessions shall remain
under our control, but he wisely re-
trains from discussing such project
until the contamination of the treaty of
peace with Spain, and the facts, have
made clear what is most necessary in
these islands. This work thus becomes
the responsibility of the future.
81 do not discuss at this time the
RON0Iuu6uG vi UuG luUuI6 VI Uu0 u6W
possessions which will come to us as
the result of the war with Spain. Such
discussion will be appropriate after the
treaty of peace shall be ratified. In the
meantime, and until the Congress has
legislated otherwise. it will be my duty
to continue the military governments
which have existed since our occupa-
ton"
The responsibility of shaping the
destiny of Hawaii is consigned to Con-
gress in the followidg words:
The commissioners having fulfilled
the mission confded to them, their
report will be laid before you at an
early day, 1t is believed that their
recommendations will have the earnest
consideration due to the magnitude of
the responsibility resting upon you to
give such shape to the relationship of
those mid Pacific islands to our home
| 81. l.;