The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-04-12

"When the inability of Spain to deal successfully with the insurrection has become manifest and it is demonstrat- ed that her sovereignty is extinct in Cuba for all purposes of its rightful existence and when hopeless struggle for it's re-establishment has degenerat- ed into a strife which means nothing more than the useless sacrifice of hu- man life and the utter destruction of the subject matter of the con- fict a situation will be presented in which our obligations to the sovereign ty of Spain will be superseded by high CT obligations, which we can hardly hesitate to recognize and discharge"
 In my annual message to congress December last, speaking to this ques- tion, 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 equit- able to all our interests so intimately involved in the welfare of Cuba, is like ly 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 will be faced without misgiving or hesitancy in the light of the obligation this government owes to itself, to the peo- pie who have confided to it the protec- ton of 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 selfish ness, the government will continue it's watchful career over the rights and property of American citizens. and will l abate none of it's efforts to bring about by peaceful agencies peace which shall be honorable and enduring. "If 1t shall hereafter appear to be duty imposed by our obligations to | ourselves, to civilization and humani- | ty to intervene with force, it shall be ! without fault on our part and only be- | cause the necessity for such action will be so clear as to command the support and approval of the civilized world.' Spain's Failure.
 The long trial has proved that the | object for which Spain has waged the war cannot be attained. The fire of 1 insurrection may flame or may smolder with varying seasons, but it has not been and it is plain that it cannot be extinguished by present methods. The l only hope of relief and repose from a condition which can no longer be en- dured is the enforced pacification of Cuba.
 V In the name of humanity, in the name of civilization, in behalf of en- dangered American interests, which give us the right and the duty to speak and to act, the war in Cuba must stop.
 Important Recommendations. l In view of these facts and of these I considerations I ask the congress to authorize and empower the president to take measures to secure a full and I final termination of hostilities between 1 the government of Spain and the peo- l pie of Cuba, and to secure in the island 1 the establishment of a stable govern ment capable of maintaining order and observing it's international obligations, l insuring peace and tranquility and the security of it's citizens as well as our own, 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 preserving the lives of the starving people of the island, I recom- mend that the distribution of food and supplies be continued and that an op- 1 propriation be made out of the public 1 treasury to supplement the charity of our citizens.
 The issue is now with the congress. It is a solemn responsibility. I have ex- hausted every effort to relieve the in tolerable condition of affairs which is at our doors Prepared to execute every obligation imposed upon me by the constitution and the law, I await your action.
 Yesterday and since the preparation of the foregoing message official infor- nation was received by me that the latest decree of the queen regent of Spain directs General Blanco, in order to prepare and facilitate peace to pro- claim suspension of hostilities, the duration and details of which have not yet been communicated to me. This fact, with every other pertinent con- sideratior will, am sure. have your just and careful attention in the sol emn deliberations upon which you are about to enter. If this measure attains successful result, then our aspira- tions as a Christian, peace-loving peo- pie will be realized. If it fails it will be only another justification for our contemplated action. (Signed) WILLIAM MCKINLEY. | 1908