Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1898-04-13
Especial to the August

WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE presi-
dents message was sent to congress
today at noon.
The president favors Intervention
to terminate hostilities in Cuba, and
asks discretionary authority, but
opposes recognition of the present
Cuban government. He says: "The
grounds for such Intervention may
be briefly summarized as follows:
First. In the cause of humanity and
To put an end to barbarity, blood
shed, starvation, and the horrible
misery now existing there, and
which the parties to the conflict are
either unwilling or unable OF stop or
mitigate. 1t is no answer to Spain
that this is all In another country.
belonging to another nation and is
therefore none OF our business. 1t Is
especially our duty, for it is right at
our doors. Second. We owe 1t to
our citizens in Cuba to afford them
that protection for life and property
which no other government shall,
can, OF will afford, and In the end To
terminate conditions that deprive
them Of equal protection. Third.
The right to intervene may be justi-
fed as a very serious injury to COM
merce, trade, and business of our
people, and by the wanton destruc-
ton Of property and devastation of
the island. Fourth. And a reason
which is of the utmost Importance,
the present condition of affairs i'm
Cuba ia a constant menac to our
peace and entails upon this govern
ment enormous expense.
With such q conflict waged for
years on an island SO near us, and
with which our people have SO much
trade and business relations, when
the lives and liberties of our citizens
are in constant danger, and their
property destroyed, and this is re-
newed where our trading vessels are
liable to seizure and arrest at our
very doors by ships of other nations,
expeditions of filibustering that we
are powerless to prevent altogether.
and irritating questions and entan-
clements thus arising-all these and
Others that 1 need not mention with
resulting strained relations are a
constant menac to our peace, and
cOmpels us to keep on a semi-war
footing with nations with which we
are at peace.
These elements of danger and dis
order already pointed out have been
strikingly illustrated by the tragic
events which have deeply and justly
moved the American people. The
naval court of inquiry, which, 1t is
needless to say, command the IN
qualified confidence of the govern
ment, was unanimous in it's conclu-
sion that the destruction of the
Maine was caused by al exterior ex-
plOsiOn and by a submarine mine.
1t did not assume to place the res
possibility; that remains to be fixed.
In any event the destruction of the
Maine by an exterior cause is patent
and impressive proof of a state oil
things in Cuba that is intolerable
The condition is thus shown to be
such that the Spanish government
cannot ussure safety and security to
the vessels OF the American navy in
the harbor of Havana on a mission
of peace and rightfully there.
Sure OF right, keeping from all of
Tense ourselves. actuated by only up
right and patriotic considerations,
moved neither by passion nor selfish
ness, the government will continue
with watchful car over the rights
and property of American citizens
and will abate none of it's efforts to
bring about by peaceful agents q
peace which shall be honorable and
enduring. II it shall hereafter ap
, pear to he a duty imposed by our OBJ
legations to ourselves, to civilization
and humanity, to intervene will
force, it shall be without fault or
: our part and only because the neces
|, sity for such action shall be so cleal
as to command the support and ap
. prevail of the civilized world.
1 The long trial has proved that tn
objects for which Spain has waget
war cannot be attained. The fire o
insurrection may flame or ma,
smoulder with varying seasons, blu
1t has not been, and it can not b.
claimed, that IT can be extinguishet
by present methods. The only hop
of relief and response from a condi
, ton which cannot be longer endurst
. In h enforced p~acification of Cubi
= in the name OF humanity, In the nam
: of civilization, In behalf of endan
e gered American interests which Civ
: US the right and the duty to apeal
. and to act. War In Cuba must stop
In view of these facts and thes
. considerations, / ask congress t,
g authorize and empower the presiden
to take measures to secure a ful
termination of the hostilities between
G the government Of Spain and tn
0 people of Cuba, and to secure 10 tn
island the establishment of a stabl
D government capable of maintaining
order and observingits internations
obligations, insuring peace and tran
guilty and the security of it's citizen
n as well as our own, and to authoriz
o the . OF the military and navs
forces OF the United States ~ may b
necessary for these purposes. and