The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-12

of Spain that time has been reached
And yet the strife continues with ali
its dread horrors and all its injuries
TO the United States and of other ma
TONS Each party seems quite capable
of working great injury and damage
to the other. as well as to all the rela-
lions 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 achieving any success where
by one shall possess and control the
island to the exclusion of the other.
Under the circumstances the agency
of others. either by mediation or by
intervention, seems to be the only
alternative which must, sooner or
later. be involved for the termination
of the strife.
WHAT CLEVELAND SAID.
In the last annual message of my
immediate predecessor during the
pending struggle it was said: when
the inability Of Spain to deal success
fully with the instruction has become
manifest. and if demonstrated that her
sovereignty is extinct in Cuba, for all
purposes of its rightful existence. and
when a hopeless struggle for its re-
establishment has degenerated into the
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 situa-
ton will be presented in which our
obligations to the sovereignty of Spain
will be superseded by higher obliga-
tions, which We can hardly hesitate TO
recognize and discharge"
In my annual message to congress
December last, speaking to this ques-
ton. / said:
THE near future will demonstrate
whether the indispensable condition of
righteous peace. just alike TO the Gu
bans and Spain, as we'll as equitable to
all our interests, so intimately involved
in the welfare Of Cuba, is likely TO be
attained. If not, the exigency of fur
Their 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 with
out misgiving or hesitancy in the light
of the obligation this government owes
to itself, to the people who have con-
fided to it the protection of their in
terests and honor, and to humanity
Sure of the right, keeping free from all
offense ourselves, actuated by upright
and patriotic considerations, moved
neither by passion nor selfishness, the
government will continue its watchful
care over the rights and property of
American citizens and will abate none
of its efforts to bring about by peace
full agencies a peace which shall be
honorable and enduring. If it shall
hereafter appear to be duty imposed
by our obligations to ourselves, to civ
iliZation and to humanity, and TO in
tervene with force. it shall be without
fault on our part and only because the
necessity for such action will be so
clear as to command the support and
of the civilized world"
The long trial has proved that the
object for which Spain has waged the
war cannot be attained. The fire of
insurrection may flame or may smoul-
der with varying seasons, but it has
not been, and it is plain that it cannot
be. extinguished by present methods.
The only hope of relief and repose from
a condition which cannot longer be en-
dured is the enforced pacification of
Cuba. In the name of humanity. in
the name of civilization, in behalf of
American interests which
give us the right and the duty to
speak and act, the war in Cuba must
stop.
WANTS AUTHORITY TO ACT.
In view of these facts and these con-
/ ask the congress to au-
thorize and empower the president to
take measures to secure a full ter
of hoStilities between the gov
of Spain and the people of
Cuba, and to secure in the island the
of a stable government,
capable of maintaining order and OBJ
serving its international obligations, en-
suring peace and tranquility and the
security Of its citizens, as well as our
own, and to use the military and naval
forces of the United States as may be
necessary for these purposes, and in
the interest of humanity and TO aid in
preserving the lives of the starving
people of the island, recommend that
the distribution of food and supplies be
continued and that an appropriation
be made out of the public treasury to
supplement the charity of our citizens.
The issue is now with congress. 1t
IS solemn responsibility. 1 have ex-
hausted every effort to relieve the in
loierabie condition of affairs which is
at our doors. Prepared to execute
every obligation imposed upon me by
the constitution and the law, 1 await
your action.
Yesterday, and since the preparation
u the foregoing message, official in
Iorrnatlon was received by me that the
latest decree of the queen regent of
spain directs General Blanco. in order
70 prepare and facilitate peace, to pro
claim a suspension of hostilities. the
1uration and details of which have not
YET oeen communicated to me. This
-act, with every other pertinent con-
slderation. Will 1 am sure. have your
luSt and careful attention in the solemn
deliberations upon which you are about
10 enter If this measure attains
successful result. then our aspirations
Is a Christian, peace-loving people will
be realized. If it fails. it will be only /
another justification for our contem- I
plated action
WILLIAM MKINLEY.
Executive Mansion, April II.
-G-11p