The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-02

administration. I yield TO no man living
in my respect, my admira tion FOR. and my
confidence In the judgment. the wisdom.
the patriotism. the Americanisn OF Will
lam Mckinley When he entered upon
this administration he faced difficult
situation. 1t was his duty 10 proceed with
care and caution. AT the first available
opportunity he addressed a note to Spain,
in which he gave that government notice.
as set forth in his message TO the congress
OF the United States. that the United
States could be required to wait only
reasonable time for the mother country 10
establish It's authority and restore peace
and order within the borders OF the island;
that he could not contemplate an indefinite
period for the Accomplishment Of this re-
suit. The president further advised US:
" This government has never In any way
abrogated its sovereign prerogatire of re-
serving to itself the determinati ton of it's
policy and course according TO its own
high sense OF right, and In consonance
with the dearest interests and convictions
Of our own people should the prolongation
OF the strife so demand.
This was the proper. the sfatesmaniike
beginning of the performance Of the prom
Use OF the Republican platform. 1t was in
accordance with the diplomatic usages
and customs OF civilized nations. In the
meantime the whole situation apparently
changed. In Spain the liberal ministry of
Sagasta succeeded tia; of Canovas; the
cruel and inhuman Weyier was recalled,
and succeeded by the humane Blanco.
who under the Sagasta ministry, has I'M
questionably made every effort to bring
about peace In the island of Cuba, under
the promise Of autoaomy-undoubtedi
decided advance beyond sny proposition
ever before made for the participa ton o.
the Cuhans in their own domestic affairs.
mas he siat ,lf,s. re h.
of the United States to give TO the Liberal
ministry OF Spain a reasonable time in
which TO test its proposed autonomy. That
time has been given. Autonomy is con-
ceded the wide world over to be a conspi-
cuous failure The situation in Cuba has
only changed for the worse. Sagasta Is
poweriess. Blanco is pcwerless 10 pu. an
end to the conflict. to rehabili;ate the isl
and. or to relieve the suffering, starvation
and distress.
TINE FOR ACTION HAS COME.
1.-THE time for action has. then.
come. No greater reason for Il can
exist tomorrow than exists today.
Every hours delay only adds an
other chapter to the awful story OF
miscry and death. Only one power
can fntcrvenc-the United states Of
America. Ours In the one great ma
ton of the New World, the mother
Of American republics. She holds n
position of trust and responsibility
toward the peoples and the affairs
Of the whole Western Hemisphere.
1T was her glorious example which in
sp!red the patriots OF Cuba TO raise the
nag OF liberty in her eternal hills We
cannot refuse TO accept this responsibility
which the God of the universe has placed
upon US as the one great power I'm the New
World. We must act
What shah our action be- Some say
the acknowledgment of the bel,ieerency
OF the revolutionists AS have already
shown. the hour and the opportunity for
that have passed away
others say. la. us hy resolution or on
ciai proclamation recognize the indspend-
ence CT the Cuhsns 1t is too late even for
such recognition 10 be Of any avail.
others say. annexation 10 the United
States God forbid. I would oppose an
nexation with my last breath Til. peop,e
OF Cuba are not our peonie: they canno,
assinllate with us, and beyond all tina,
am utterly and unaltersbly opposed TO any
departure from the declared policy Of the
fathers. which would start this republic
Tor the Hrs; time upon career Of conquest
and dominion utterly 81 variance with the
declared purposes ard the manifest destiny
Of popular government
Let the world understand that the
United states does moi propose 10 annex
Cuba. that IL Is not So, king a foot OF Gu
ban soil or a dollar OF Spanish treasure.
otheTs say. LEI us Intervene for the pac.-
hcat!on OF the island. giving TO its people
a JUST measure Of autonomy consistent
with the continued sovereignty OF Spain.
Such result Is no longer possible II is