The record-union., 1898-03-27
Simply Explaining That Spain Has
Been Acquainted With Findings,
VIII Then Present Anew TO Spain the COndi-
tlonS in Cuba, Requesting That the
War Ent-ThiS Failing, FOrcihIe
Intervention viii Follow.

WASHINGTON, March 26.-Presi-
dent Mckinley talked freely with his
Congressional visitors to-day, both i'll
regard to his plans for the future ard
his appreciation of the situation with
reference to Cuba. His programme as
thus outlined is as follows:
To send the report Of the Maine
court of inquiry TO Congress on Mon
day, without recommendation ard
without explanation on his part fur
Their than to say that he has acquaint-
ed Spain with the findings of the court;
to follow this, Tuesday or Wednesday,
with a message dealing with the condi-
ton of the on-combatants in Cuba.
and asking for an appropriation of
100000 for their immediate relief; to
present anew this condition to Spain, D.,
asking that country to make provision
for the care of her own helpless people.
and to come to some terms with the
Cubans which will be satisfactory to
them, and put an end to the war. This
falling, to forcibly intervene on human
itarian grounds.
The President indicated to his call
ers an abiding faith that peace may
be preserved, and a determination on
his part to accomplish that if it may
be done with honor to our own coun-
try and without disregarding the de-
mands of humanity. He frankly and
repeatedly avowed to-day his desire to
prevent a conflict, while at the same
time indicating a firm purpose to Sc
cure relief for the starving reconcen-
trados.
Indeed, the latter purpose appeared
to be the topic uppermost in the Pres
ident's mind. He dwelt upon the fact
that the recognition of belligerent
rights or of independence would not be
of any material service to these unfor
Inmates. He admitted that such action
might be of assistance to the men at
arms, the insurgent army, but they.
he said, have shown a capacity to take
care of themselves and do not stand III
pressing need of our kind offices.
The President believes Spain will in
terpose no obstacles to our sending
succor to her INDECENT people, and he
will ask Congress to act promptly,
that the aid to be given may not ar
rive too late to relieve the pressing
necessities.
This done, the President is hopeful
that Congress will remain quiet while
the executive branch of the Govern
ment continues its efforts to secure
peaceful settlement of the difficulty
He thinks it is not too late to do this.
and he made the assertion to-day that
Spain was willing to meet the United
States half way IN adjusting the en-
tanglement without coming to blows.
He referred only casually to the sail
ing OF SPANS torpedo fleet, leaving
the impression on the minds of his
visitors that he considered that so far
in this matter Spain is acting within
the bounds Of ner own rights. and that
just complaint cannot yet be made by
this country in regard TO this course.
He did not enter into details regard
ing the propositions he may make, or
may have made TO Spain. Tor undoubt-
edly some are pending, but lie left the
impression that lie would be satisfied
with no settlement that would not give
the Cubans' very liberal form of gov
eminent lie admitted frankly THAI Cd
tonomy had proved a failure, and ex-
pressed the opinion that il would be as
difficult to satisfy the Americans with
any settlement that might be made as
it would be to satisfy the Cubans theTa-
selves. He reasserte1 the possibility OF
securing an agreement on the part of
Spain to allow Cuba to conduct her own
affairs with absolute freedom, except
that the island should be required TO
pay the mother country a specified sum
in the way of tribute every year oiir of
her revenues, seeming to think that this
would form a basis upon which both
Spain and the Cubans could agree, with
out the sacrifice of too much pride On
either side.
Mr.. Mckinley reverted often in his
conversations to his desire to maintain
peace, and dwelt upon the fact that war
meant not only the loss Of life ard
property, but that it also would jnjure
our commerce. disturb business con-
ditons generally. increase our public
debt, add to our pension roll, and result
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