The state herald., 1898-04-15
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
TURNS YnE CUBAN QUESTION OVER TO CONGRESS-.
Mr. Mckinley Says the Present Situation Intoerabe and
Asks that Power be Given Him to Terminate Hos
ilics.


charge or another connected with the
insurrcction We're released and by the
end of November, not II single person
entitled in any way to our protection
remained in II Spanish prison.
While these negotiations We're in
progress the increasing dcstitution of
the unfortunate recOncentrados and the
alarming mortality among them claim
ed earnest attention. The success
which had attended the limited meas
IRE of relief extended to the suffering
American citizens among them by the
judicious expenditure through the con
sular agencies of the money appropri-
atcd expressly for their succor by the
joint resolution approved May "a. 1897,
prompted the humane extension of n
similar scheme to that great body of
sufferers.
\ suggestion to this end was acqui-
csccd In by the Spanish authorities. On
| December 9th last. caused to be Is
sued an appeal to the American people
inviting contributions in money or in
Kind for the succor of the starving suf-
fercrs in Cuba.
Following this on January Sth came
| Il similar public announcement of the
formation of central Cuban relief
committee, with headquarters in New
| York City, composed of the members
representing the American National
Red Cross and the religious and bust
ness elements of the community. The
efforts of that committee have been
Hntiring and accomplished much.
Arrangements for free transportn-
tion TO Cuba have greatly aided the
charitable work. The president of the
American Red Cross and representa-
tires OF other contributory Orgnniza-
/ tions. have generously visited Cuba
and co-0perated with the consul gcIier-
nj and the local authorities to make
effective distribution of the relief col
lccted through the efforts of the CEN
tral committee. Nearly 100000 IN
money and supplies has already reach
ed the sufferers and more Is forthcom-
ing. The supplies are admitted duty
| free. ana transportation 10 the interior
has been arranged. so that tie relief.
at first necessarily confined to Havana
and the lnrger cities, Is now extended
| through most. If not ALL of the towns
] where suffering exists. Thousands of
| lives have already been saved.
The necessity for change I'm the
condition of the reconcentrados Is rec
| ognized by the Spanish government
Within few days past the orders of
General Wheeler have been revoked.
the recohccntrados are. II * said. TO be
permitted to return To their homes and
aided 10 Resume the sclf-supporting
pursuits of peace: public works have
| been started 10 give them employment.
and n sum Of SGOD.GDo has been appro-
priatcd for their RELIEF
The war in Cuba is Of such nnturc
| that short of subjugation or cNtermIn-
alton. hnal military victory for
either side seems imprncticahlc. The
alternative Hes In the physical TX.
haustion of the one or the other party.
/ or perhaps of both-a condition which
/ IN effect ended the ten years war by
the truce of IanJon. The prospect of
such proirnction and conclusion OF
the present strife Is n contingency
hardly TO he contemplated with elunn-
Unity by the civilized world. and least
of all by the United Stated. affected
nnd injured ms we are deeply and In
ilmntcly by It's very existence.
Realizing this. II appeared to bc my
duty. In n spirit Of true frlcndlincss 10
Spain and to the Cubans 10 bring
about nn immediate termination of the
war.
To this end submitted on the 9th
ultlmo. as n result Of much representa-.
tion and correspondence through the
United States minister nt Madrid.
propositions To the Spanish govern.
ment, looking to an armisilce mil Oc-
tuber lsi, for the negotiation of peace
with the good offices Of the President.
In addition, asked the immediate H..
vocation Of The order Of rcconcentrntlon
- far ns TO permit the people 10 re-
turn To their farms aud the needy To
be relieved with provisions and sun.
piles from the United States. co-opernt.
Ing Nilh the Spanish authorities so as
In afford full relief
The reply of Spain Offering To leave
n peaceful settlement To the Cuban Far.
Lament WAS received March ;iist. This
parliament meets May Ith. and In the
meantime the Spanish government Of.
fcrcd n temporary nrmlstlrc provided
1t were asked for 10y the Insurgents.
The prop0siilIl submitted by General
Wo0df0r,l ana the reply io the Spanish
government We're both In The form OF
brief memoranda. The function OF the
Cuban Parliament In the mnitcr of
preparing" peace and the manner OF
lis doing so nrc not expressed In the
Spanish memorandum.
II n understood that the Spanish
government Itnnds ready To give Tho
| insulnr Congress full power 10 settle
III" terms or pence with the Insurgents
either 10y direct negotiation or IndI.
rcctly 10y means Of legislation does no,
| unnyur. With thlg lust ny,riur., fn, I,,,
mediate peace aud lis disappointing
reception by spain. the executive wns
brought In the end of It's efforts.
In my annual message OF December
| last | said.
"of the unirlcd measures there ~.
mains only recognition OF the lnsur.
gents ns bclllgcrrnis. recognition OF
the Independence of tul,a. neutral In.
t"rvcntlon nnd forclble annexation,
| Now, ns then. annexation IN not io bc
thought of, II IN recognized fully that
declaration of neutrality. 10y which
bclllgcrrnry would he recognized
would or itself accomplish nothing"
Turning 10 the question of rrcognlz.
Ing ~ this time the Independence of
tli" present lnsurgrni government In
cuba we ilnd snfe prrccdcniH In our
own history from mn early day. They
mr." wei summed M In President
| Inckrun'H mrs,ligo To Congress, he.
""hibcr 81, iSpt. IN tile subject of III"
recognition of the independence of
T"NnH lie snll;
I'm nil The contests lint have arisen
out of the revolutions of frnnee, ont
Of III" disputes relating Ia The crews of
| Portugal md Suuiu mn nf ti.. a.,a,,,