The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-04-14
M'KINLEY'S
MESSAGE.
and sorrow to the nation.

The Naval Court of Inquiry, which,
it is needless to say, commands the
unqualified confidence of the Govern
ment, was unanimous in it's conclu-
sion that the destruction of the Maine
was caused by an exterior explosion,
that of submarine mine. 1t did not
assume to place the responsibility.
That remains to be fixed
In any event the destruction of the
Maine, by whatever exterior cause, is
a patent and impressive proof of a
state of things in Cuba that is intol-
cradle. That condition is thus shown
to be such that the Spanish Govern
ment cannot assure safety and Sc
curity to a vessel of the American
Navy in the harbor of Havana on a
mission of peace and rightfuily
there.
Further referring in this connection
to recent diplomatic correspondence,
a dispatch from our Minister to Spain
of the Goth ultimo contained the state
ment that the Spanish Minister for
Foreign Affairs assured him positive
ly that Spain will do all that the
highest honor and justice required in
the matter of the Maine. The reply
above referred to of the 31st ultimo
also contained an expression of the
readiness of Spain to submit to an
arbitration all the differences which
can arise in this matter, which is sub
sequently explained by the note of
the Spanish Minister at Washington
of the 10th instant as follows:
las to the question of fact which
springs from the diversity of views
between the report of the American
and Spanish boards, Spain proposes
that the fact be ascertained by an
impartial investigation by experts
whose decision Spain accepts in ad-
vance"
To this | have made no reply.
President Grant, in 1875, after dis
cussing the phases of the contest as
it then appeared, and it's hopeless
and apparent indefinite prolongation,
said:
''In such event l am in opinion
that other nations will be compelled
to assume the responsibility which
develops upon them, and they serious
ly consider the remaining measures
possible, meditation and intervention.
Owing, perhaps, to the large expanse
of water separating the island from
the peninsula, the contending parties
appear to have within themselves no
depository of common confidence, to
suggest wisdom when passion and ex-
element have their way, and to 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 We're ten
dered in good faith without any sell
fish purpose, in the interest of human
ity and in sincere friendship for both
parties, butwere at the time declinedby
Spain with the declaration, neverthe-
less, that at a futrue time they would
be indispensable. No intimation has
been received that, in the opinion of
Spain, that that time had been reach
ed, and yet the strife continues, with
all its dread horrors and all it's in
juries to the interest of the United
States and other nations.
Each party seems quite capable
of working great injury and damage
to the other, as well as to all the rela-
tions and interests dependent on the
existence of peace in the island, but
they seem incapable of reaching any
adjustment, and both have thus far
failed of any success whereby one
party shall possess and control the
island to the exclusion Of the other.
Under the circumstances, 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 nv
immediate predecessor during the
pending struggle, it was said when
the inability of Spain to deal success
fully with the insurgents has become
manifest, and it is demonstrated that
her sovereignty is extinct in Cuba for
all purposes of its rightful existence,
and when a hopeless struggle for its
establishment has degenerated in
to a strife which means nothing more
than the useless sacrifice of human
life and the utter destruction of the
very subject matter of the conflict, a
situation will be presented in which
our obligations to the sovereignty of
Spain will be superseded by higher
obligations which we can hardly hes
itate to recognize and discharge"
In my annual message to Congress
December last, speaking to this ques-
ton, | said:
1.-The near future will demonstrate
whether the indispensable condition
of righteous peace, just alike to the
Cubans and to Spain, as well as equit-
able to all our interests, so intimate
ly involved in the welfare of Cuba, is
likely to be attained. If not, the ex-
igency 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 indisputable right and duty. 1t
will be faced without misgiving or
hesitency in the light of the obliga-
ton this Government owes to itself,
to the people who have confided to it
the protection of their interests and
honor and to humanity.
Sure of the right, keeping free
from all offense ourselves, actuated
only by upright and patriotic consid-
erations, moved neither by passion
nor seltishness, the Government will
continue its watchful care over the
rights and property of American citi-
zens and will abate none of it's efforts
to bring about by peaceful agencies
a peace which shall be honorable and
enduring If it shall hereafter appear
to be duty imposed by our obliga-
tions to ourselves, to civilization and
humanity to intervene with force, it
cha II no wit bnut fa milf on our no rt nd