The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1898-04-13

diversity Of views between the report OF the
American and Spanish boards. Spain proposes
that. the fact be ascertained by impartial in
vestigation by experts whose decision Spain
accepts in advance.
To this | have made no reply.
President Grant, in 1875, after discussing
the phases OF the contest as it then appeared,
and its hopeless and apparent indefinite pro.
longaton, said:
I'm such an event. I am of opinion that
other nations will be compelled to assume
the responsibility which devolves upon
them and to seriously consider the only re
naming measures possible, mediation and in
tervention. Owing, perhaps, TO the large ex-
panse OF water separating the island from the
peninsula, the contending parties appear to
have within themselves no depository OF COM
mon confidence, to suggest wisdom when
passion and excitement have their sway. and
TO assume. the part OF peacemakcr. In this
view, in the earlier days OF the contest the
good Offices OF the United States as 4 nhedi
ator were rendered in good faith, without any
selhsh purpose, in the interest OF humanity,
and in sincere friendship for both parties, but
were at the time declined by Spain with the
declaration nevertheless that at future time
they would be Indispensable No intimation
has been received that in the opinion OF Spain
that time has been reached. And yet the strife
continues 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 injury and dam.
age to the other as well as to the relations
and interests dependent on the existence Of
peace in the island, but they seem incapable OF
reaching any adjustment, and both have thus
lar failed OF achieving any success whereby
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 intervention 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 immediate
predecessor during the pending struggle, it
was said:
When the inability of Spain to deal sue.
ceSsiully with the insurrecton has become
sovereignty is extinct in Cuba for all pur-
poses Of its rightful existence, and when a
hopeless struggle for its rc-establishment
has. degenerated into a strife which means
human life and the utter destruction Of the
very subject matter of the conflict, a situa-
ton will be presented in which our obligations
to the sovereignty of Spain will be superseded
by higher obligations which we can hardly
hesitate to recognize and discharge"
In my annual message to congress December
last speaking to this question ] said
The near future will demonstrate whether
the indispensable condition of a righteous
peace, just alike to the Cubans and to Spain
as well as equitable to all our interests so init
matey involved in the welfare Of Cuba, is
likely to be attained Ii not, the exigency o
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 indsputable right and duty. 1t will
be faced, without misgiving or hesitancy ii
the light OF obligation this government owes
to itself, to the people who have confdcd tc
| is the protection of their interests and honor
| and to humanity.
Sure of the right, keeping free from al
offense ourselves, actuated only by upright
and patriotic considerations, moved neither BY
| passion nor selhshness, the government will
| continue its watchfu care over the rights anc
property of American citizens, and will abate
none OF its efforts to bring about by peaceful
| agencies peace which shall be honorable anC
enduring. If it shall hereafter appear to be
duty imposed by our obligations to ourselves
| to civilization and humanity to intervene witt
force, it shall be without fault on our part
and only because the necessity for such actor
will be so clear as to command the supper
and approval OF the civilized world"
for which Spain has waged the war canno
be attained. The fire OF nsurrection may
flame or may smolder with varying seasons
but it has not been and it is plain that it car
not be extingusheu by present methods. Th,
| only hope of relief and repose from a condi
ton which can no longer be endured is th
enforced pacihcation of Cuba. In the name o
| humanity, in the name of civilization, in behal
of endangered American interests, which Civ
us the right and the duty to speak and Il
act, the war in Cuba must stop
| In view OF these facts and of these con
| siderations ! ask the congress to authoriz
| and empower the president to take measure
to secure a full and final termination of hos
| tilities between the government OF Spain an
the people of Cuba, and to secure in the islam
the establishment OF a stable government
capable OF maintaining order and obscrvin
its international obligations. insuring peac
and tranquility and the security OF its citizen
as we'll as our own, and to use the militar
and naval forces of the United States as ma
| be necessary for these purposes.
And in the interest OF humanity and to al
in preserving the lives OF the starving peopl
| of the island | recommend that the distribL
ton of food and supplies be continued, an
that an appropriation be made out of the pull
lie treasury to supplement the charity OF ou
| citizens.
The issue is now with the congress. 1t
solemn responsibility. | have exhauste
every effort to relieve the intoerabe cond
ton of affairs which is at our doors. Prepare
to execute every obligation imposed upon m
by the constitution and the law, | awai: you
action.
Yesterday and since the preparation G
the foregoing message official information wa
received by me that the latest decree OF tn
Queen. Regent OF Spain directs Gen. Blancc
in order to prepare and facilitate peace, t
proclaim suspension OF hostilities, the dur;
ton and details OF which has not yet bee
communicated to me. This fact, with ever
other pertinent consideration will, / am sur,
have your just and careful attention in til
solemn deliberations upon which you are abou
to enter II this measure attains successft
result, then our aspirations as a Christian
peace loving people will be realized If
fails it will be only another justification fo
our contemplated action.
WILLIAM MKINLEY.
Executive Mansion, April H. 1898.