The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1898-04-20
President Mckinley Asks Authority
to Intervene to Put an End
to the Hostilities.
SUMMARY OF A MESSAGE TO CONGRESS
Informs the Lawmakers That Diplo-
macy Has Failed, and That They
Must Act I'm the Interests of HUI
manity and the Countrywide Awaits
Their Action.

Washington, April 12.-President Nc
Kinley sent to congress yesterday his
message on the Cuban question. The
following summary covers all the i'm
portant features:
The message fully recognizes 1.-The grave
crisis that has arisen in the relations of
the United States to Spain by reason of the
warfare that for more than three years
has been waged in the neighboring island
of Cuba" The history of that warfare is
told concisely and clearly by the president.
All its phases are passed in review-the
the ravaging Of Cuba with fire and sword,
our efforts to observe neutrality, the suf-
fering of American trade, the losses of
American capital, and the strain upon the
temper and forbearance of the American
people.
War of determination.
The president refers to the failure Of the
effort of his predecessor to secure peace,
which was followed by fresh horrors on
the part of Spain and the Infamous con-
centration order of Weyler, with its awful
results. In the significant language OF the
president: ut was not civilized warfare;
could beget was that of the wilderness and
the grave"
Spain's Home Rule Policy.
He next passes to the change of admins
tration in Spain, the overtures of the
new government submitting assurances OF
home rule in an advanced phase" and OF
more humane methods in the conduct OF
the war and its revocation OF the Weyler
order. Notwithstanding the change Of pol
lev. the president sees no possibility OF an
ultimate victory for either side short OF
subjugation or determination, "a contln-
gency hardly to be contemplated with
equanimity by the civilized world, and least
of all by the United States, affected ano
injured. as we are, deeply and intimately
by its existence.
Tries to Stop the War.
Regarding the situation from this point
of view the president sought to bring
abort an immediate termination Of the
war On the 9th ult propositions were
made to Spain for an armistice until DC
tober l for the negotiation of peace with
the good offices of this government, the
immediate revocation of the order OF con-
centration, and the cooperation OF Spain
with the United States in supplying relief.
On the 31st ult. an answer was received
from the Spanish authorities offering TO
confide the preparat ton of arrangements Tor
peace to the insular department OF the gov
eminent, subject to the action OF the CEN
trail government 1t was also stated that
there would be no objection to suspension
of hostilities "if asked for by the insur-
gents from the general in chief, to whom
it would pertain in such case to determine
the duration and conditions of the arms
tice With the last overture in the d.
rection of immediate peace and its disap-
pointing reception by Spain the executive
was brought to the end of his effort.
Untried Measures.
The president thereupon discusses the
ssuntried measures" He takes strong
ground against recognition of belligerency
and likewise disfavors a recognition OF In
dependence until Cuba has stable form OF
government which can insure peace ahd
order and fulfill international obligations.
Taking the position that the war must stop
for the sake of civilization, humanity, and
ENDANGERED American interests, he asks au-
thority from congress Ito secure the ter
mination of hostilities and the establish
ment of firm government in the island by
the use of the military and naval forces of
the United States, as may be necessary,
and meanwhile recommends the continue
ton of the distribution of food and sup
plies.
The Maine Disaster.
A part of President McKinley's message
refers to the destruction Of the battleship
Maine in Havana harbor. After recting
briefly the history of that horrible affair
and the grief and suffering it has entailed
upon the families of its victims, he alludes
to the unanimous conclusion of the naval
court of inquiry that 1.-The destruction of
the Maine was caused by an exterior ex-
plosion, that of submarine mine," as
commanding 1.-THE unqualified confidence OF
the government" The president then sig
nificantly adds:
I'm any event, the destruction of the
Maine, by whatever exterior cause, Is
patent and impressive proof Of a state OF
things in Cuba that is intolerable. That
condition is thus shown to be such that
the Spanish government cannot assure
and security RI q UaScpl nf the
American navy in the harbor of Havana on
a mission of peace and rightfully there
Spafn's Position.
eminent, just submitted, to leave the de-
termination of responsibility for the disas-
ter to an international commission of ex-
perts, the president has had no oppor-
tunity as yet to make reply which could
be incorporated in his message. though he
does not omit to mention the fact While
the Spanish government pledges itself in
advance to accept the result of such an in
vestigation, no intimation Is given whether
this goes to the extent Of promising in
demnity or merely to accepting response
bility, leaving the question of indemnity
for future negotiations.
Spain's Last Note.
spain's decree for a suspension Of hos
tilities is submitted to congress for just
and careful attention. with the observation
that IL the measure attains successful re-
suit 'then our aspirations a peace-lov-
ing people will be realized. If 1t fails 1t
will be only another justification for our
contemplated action"
Now with Congress.
The message closes: "The issue Is now
with congress. It is a solemn responsible
ity / have exhausted every effort to re-
lieve the intolerable condition of affairs
which is at our doors. Prepared to exc
cute every obligation imposed upon me by
the constitution and the laws, await your
action"