The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-04-19
N k|NLEY 70 CONGRESS
, ASKS AUTHORITY TO INTERVIEW
IN CUBA.
Presents a Review of the Situation
and Conditions and Leaves the Re
spaonsibility With Congress.

President McKinley's message TO
Congress is review of the conditions
and the war in Cuba: a discussion of
the right and duty of the United
States i'm the interests of humanity to
put an end to the war and secure
guarantees for the future of the Gu
bans. either by recognizing the fhle.
pendence of the Island or by armed
Intervention. He comes to the cor
clusion that the recognition of i'm ia-
pendence is not UNSUITABLE AZ this tiute
but after a review of the previous ac-
ton of the American government IN
similar eases. armed Intervention is
not only justitiable but his duty. In
view of this and i'm view of the dipio-
matte negotiations which ne rerltcs
at length. he urges the following rra-
sons for Intervention:
The grounds for such Intervention
may he briefly summarized as fol-
lows:
First-ln the cause of humanity.
and to put an end to the barbarities.
bloodshed and starvation and horri-
BILE miseries now existing there. and
which the parties to the conflict are
either unwilling or unable to stop or
mitigate. 1t is no answer to say this
is all in another country. belonging to
another nation, and is therefore none
of our business. 1t is expressly our
duty, for it is right at our door.
Second-We owe it to our citizens
in Cuba to afford them that protec-
ton and indemnity for life and prop
erty which no government there can
or will afford, and to that end termi-
nate the conditions that deprive them
of legal protection.
Third.-The right to intervene may
be justified by the very serious inju-
ry to the commerce, trade and bust
ness of our people, and by the wanton
destruction of property and devasta-
ton of the island.
Fourth.-And, which is of the most
Importance, the present condition of
affairs in Cuba is constant menace
to our peace, and entails upon this
government an enormous expense.
With such a conflict waged for years
in an island so near us, and with
which our people have such trade and
business relations, when the lives and
liberties of our citizens are in con-
slant danger and their property de-
Stroyed and themselves ruined, where
our trading vessels are liable to seiZ-
ure and are seized at our very door
by warships of foreign nation. the
expeditions of filibustering that we
are powerless to prevent altogether,
and the irritating questions and en-
tanglementS thus ariSing-all these.
and others that | need not mention.
with the resulting strained relations.
are a constant menace to our peace
and compel us TO keep on "A semi-war
footing with that nation with which
We are at peace.
In view of these facts and these
considerations. | ask Congress to au-
thorize and empower the President to
take measures to secure full termi-
nation of hostilities between the gov
eminent of Spain and the people Of
Cuba, and to secure in the island Tie
establishment of Il stable govern
government. and to use the military
and naval forces of the United States
as may be necessary for these purpos-
eS.
The issue is now with Congress. It
is a solemn responsibility. | await
your action.
Yesterday and since the preparation
of the foregoing message. official in
formation was received by me that
the latest decree of the Queen Regent
of Spain directs General Blanco, in or
der to prepare and facilitate peace. to
proclaim suspension of hostilities,
the duration and details of which have
not yet been communicated to me.
This fact, with every other pertinent
consideration, will. | am sure, have
| your just and careful attention i'm the
solemn deliberations upon which you
are about to enter. If the measure
attains successful result then our
aspirations as a Christian, peace low
ing people will be realized. If it fails
it will be only another justification for
our contemplated action.
Morality has sexual variations; in a