The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-04-16
EDITORIAL.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Below 'We give a Summary of the
Presidents Cuban Message.
The President reviews the situa-
ton in Cuba, shows how American
interests have suffered on account
of the war and shows the suffering
of the p ople, even women and
children, then says:
As said in my message Of last Deem
Der, it was not civilized war fare; it was on
ly determination. The only peace it could
beget was that of the wilderness and the
grave.
The President then shows how
Spain declined mediation, shows
how the people of this country have
tried to relieve the sufferings by
sending money, food aud clothing.
Speaking of the war he further says
The war in Cuba is of such nature that,
short Of subjugation or determination, final
military victory for either side seems inn
practicable. The alternative lies in the
physical exhaustion Of the one or the other
party, or perhaps of both. condition
which, in effect, ended the ten years war
by the truce of Zanon. The prospect Of
such a protection and conclusion of the
present strife is contingency hardly to be
contemplated with equanimity by the civil
lied world, and least of all by the United
States, affected and injured as we are, deep
ly and intimately by its very existence.
The case of the Republic of Texas
is cited and ANDREW jackson is
quoted to show that the policy OF
this government has been not tc
recognize the independence of any
government until that independ
ence is an established fact
The President then opposes recog
nizing the independence of Cuba ir
the following:
Nor from the standpoint Of experience Dc
| think it would be wise or prudent for thi
Government to recognize at the presen
time the independence of the so-called Gu
ban republic. Such recognition is not nee
essary in order 10 enable the United State
to intervene and pacify the island.
To commit this country now to the recog
milton of any particular Government in Gu
ba might subject us to embarrassing condi
tons of international obligations toward til,
organization so recognized. In case of in
tervention our conduct would be subject t
the approval or disapproyal such Govern
ment. We would be required to submit Il
its direction and assume to it the mere rela
ton Of friendly ally.
When it shall appear hereafter that Their
is within the island aIGovernment capabl
of performing the duties and discharginI
the functions Of separate nation, and hav
ing, as a matter of fact, the proper forms ant
attributes of nationality, such Government
can be promptly and readily recognized
and the relations and interests Of the Uni
ted States with such nation adjusted.
There remain the alternative forms Of in
tervention to end the war, either as an i'm
partial neutral, by imposing rational com
promise between the contestants, or as tn
active ally Of one party or the other.
The grounds for such interven
ton may be briefly summarized a
follows:
In the cause of humanity and to pu
an end to the barbarities, bloodshed, stal
walton and horrible miseries now existing
there, and which the parties to the confic
are either unable or unwilling to stop o
mitigate. 1t is no answer to say this is i
another country, belonging to another ma
ton, and is therefore none of our business
1t is especially our duty, for it is right a
our door.
I've owe it our citizens in Cuba to al
ford that protection for life and propert
which no Government there can or will al
ford, and to that end to terminate the con
ditions that deprive them of legal protect
ion.
3.-The right 10 intervene may be just
fed by the very serious injury to the com
merce, business and trade Of our people ant
by the--wanton destruction of property ant
devastation of the island.
And which is of the utmost import
ance, the present condition Of affairs in Gu
ba is menace to our peace, and entails up
on this Government enormous expense
With such conflict wased for years in al