Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-04-13

themselves no depository of common con-
| hdence, to suggest wisdom when passion
! and excitement have their sway, and as
sumo the part of peacemaker. In this
| view, in the earlier days of the contest
the good offices of the United States as a
mediator were rendered in good faith,
without any selfish purpose, in the inter-
est of humanity and in sincere friendship
for both parties, but were at the time de-
cllned by Spain with the declaration new
ertheleSS that at a future time they would
be Indispensable.
No intimation has been received that
IN the opinion of Spain that time had
been reached. And yet the strife con-
tlnues with all its dread horrors and all
It's injuries TO the interests of the United
States and of other nations Each party
seems quite capable of working great in
jury and damage to the other as 81
as to all the relations and interests lie
pendent on the existence of peace in the
| island; but they seem incapable of reach
ing any adjustment, and both have thus
tar failed of achieving any success where
by one party shall possess and control
the island to the exclusion of the other.
Under the circumstances the agency of
others, either by mediation or by inter
ventiOn, seems TO be the only alternative
which must, sooner or later, be invoked
for the termination of the strife
In the last annual message of my i'm
mediate predecessor during the pending
struggle, it was said
when the inability of Spain to deal
successfully with the insurrectiOn has be-
| come manifest, and it is demonstrated
| that her sovereignty is extinct i'll Cuba
! for all purposes of its rightful existence,
and when hopeless struggle for it's re-
establishment has degenerated into Il
strife which means nothing more than
10 Of 20
the utter destruction of the very subject
matter of the conflict, Il situation will be
presented III which our obligations to the
sovereignty Of Spain will be superseded
by higher obligations, which we can hard
~ hesitate to recognize and discharge"
War in Cuba Must Stop.
In my annual message to Congress, De-
cember last, speaking to this question, I
said
The near future Will demonstrate
whether the Indispensable condition of Il
righteous peace, just alike to the Cubans
and to Spain, as well as equitable to ali
cur interests so intimately involved in the
welfare of Cuba, is likely to be attained
If not, the exigency of further and other
action by the United States will remain
to be taken. When that time comes that
action will be determined in the line of in
disputable right and duty. It viii bt
faced, without misgiying or hesitancy. Ill
the light of the obligation this govern
ment owes to itself. to the people who
have confdod to it the protection off their
interests and honor. and to humanity
Sure of the right, keeping free from
all Offense ourselves. actuated only by
upright and patriotic considerations.
moved neither by passion nor sel6shRess
the government will continue it's watch
full care over the rights and property of
American citizens and will abate nstne
Of its efforts to bring about by peaceful
agencies Il peace which shall be honor
able and enduring. If it shall hereafter
be a duty imposed by our obligations
to ourselves. to civilization and humani-
". TO intervene with force. it shall b..
without fault on our part. and only be
cause the necessity for such action Will
be SO Gear as to command the support
and approval of the civilized world
The long trial has proved that the Oh
Ject for which Spain has waged the war
cannot be attained. The fire Of insur-
recton may flame or may shoulder with
varying seasons, but it has not been and
it Is plain that it cannot be eXtinguished
by present methods. The only hope of
relief and repOSe from Il condition which
cannot longer be endured is the enforced
pacifcatiOn Of Cuba. In the name OF hui
mainly. in the name Of civilization. in be-
half of endangered American interests,
which give us the right and the duty to,
speak and to- act, the war in Cuba must
stop.
The Issue Now with Congress-
In view of these facts and these cOnsid-
eIatiOnS | ask Congress to authorize and
empower the President to take measures
to secure 4 termination of hostilities be-
tween the government Of Spain and the
people Of Cuba, and to secure in the
island the esta hlishment of a stable GOV
eminent capable Of maintaining order and
observing its international obligations.
and tTnOnI1i1liTT l,
security of IT'S citizens. as Well as our,
OWE and to Use the military and naval
forces of the United States as may be
necessary for these purposes. And in the
interest of humanity. and to aid in pre-
serving the lives Of the starving people of
the island. recommend that the distribu-
ton Of food and supplies be continued.
and that an appropriation be made out of
the public tr@a Sury to supplement- the
charity of OUR citizens.
The issue is now with Congress. II is,
81 solemn responsibility. | have exhausted
every effort to relieve the intolerable con-
ditiO3 of affairs which is at our doors.
Prepared to execute every obligation inn
posed upon ire by the constitution Of tile.
law, 1 await E@Ur action.
The Armistice.
Yesterday. and since the preparations Of
the foregoing message official informant
was received by me that the latest decree4
of the Queen Regent of Spain directs
Cen Blanco, liz order to prepare and tGt-
cflftate peace. to proclaim a suspension of
hOstilities, the duration Of which, lfas
not vet BEEN communicated to Iae.
This fact, with every other Pertinent
consideration will, ] am sure, have your
just and careful attention in the solemn
deliberations upon which you are, about
to enter. IF this meas sure attains IL Sue
cessful result, then our aspirations as: Il
Christian Dpapp-l0yinD DpODlp Will EtN rp9f-
lied. If it fails it III be only another
Justification for our contemplated action.
(SigneO WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
Executive Mansion. April II; 1898
LINCOLN'S LOVE-MAKING.