The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1898-04-16
1T Is MILE AND WATER.
Nothing Definite Demanded by the Presi-
dent.

WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE mes
sage of the president submitted to con.
gress today received very little
enthusiasm, it being SO indefinite that
congress is left to guess at Its meaning.
1t goes into detail ia quoting pre-
cedents to prove that the recognition
of the in dependence of Cuba is mex.
| pedient at this time, because the
Cubans have failed TO establish stable
form of government. After reciting
! the incidents that led up the recent re =
! bellion. and the barbaric methods un-
der which the war has been conducted,
it summarizes the grounds for inter.
.vsntion as follows;
ssfFF;;rst-In the cause OF llankanity
and to put an end to the barbaritfes,
bloodshed, starvation and horrible
miseries now existing there and which
the parties to the conflict are either
unable or unwilling to stop or miti-
gate. 1t is no answer to say this is all
in another country, belonging to an
other nation, and is therefore none of
our business. 1t is explicitly our duty,
for it is right at our door.
"Second-We owe it to our citizens
in Cuba to afford them that protection
and indemnity for life and property
which no government there can or
will afford, and to that end terminate
the conditions that deprive them Of
legal protection.
"Third-The right to intervene may
be justified by the very serions injury
to the commerce, trade and business
of our people and by the wanton de-
struction Of property and devastation
OF the island.
"Fourth--And which is of foremost
Importance, the condition of affairs in
Cuba is a constant menace to our
peace, and entails upon this govern
ment enormous expense. With such
cor fl t waged for years in an island
." near Us and with which our people
h. ' sdch trade and business relations
when the lives and liberty Of our
citizens are in constant danger, their
property destroyed and themselves
ruined-when our trading vessels are
liable to seizure and are seized at our
very door by warships of foreign
nation, the expeditions of filibuster-
ing that we are powerless to prevent
altogether, and the irritating ques-
tions and entanglements thus arising
all these and others are constant
menace to our peace and tend to keep
US on a war footing with that nation
with which we are at peace"
The Maine affair is referred to In
light manne-, being mentioned as
deplorable deed, though one the settle
ment of which may be left to arbtra-
tion.
The message finally throws all the
responsib bility on congress, the presi-
dent closing his paper with the fellow
ing:
"Tha long trial has proved that the
object for which Spain has waged war
cannot be attained. The fire of iHsur-
rectiOn may fame or may smolder with
varying seasons, but it las not been
and it is plain that it cannot be ex-
tinguished by present methods. The
emily hope of relief and repose from
condition which cannot longer be en-
durAd is the enforced pacifcation of
Cuba.
In the name of humanity, in the
name of civilization, in behalf OF en-
dangered Ameri can interests, which
give us the right and the duty to speak
and TO act, the war in Cuba must stop;
in view of these facts, and these con-
siderations, ask congress to author
ize and empower the president to take
measures to secure full termination
of hostilities between the government
of Spain and the people of Cuba, aud
to secure in the island the establish
ment Of stable government capable
Of maintaining order and observing
its international obligations, iusuring
peace and tranquility and the security
of its citizens as we'll as our own, and
to use the military and naval force Of
the United State. as may be necessary
for these purposes aud In the interest
of humanity, and to aid in preserving
the lives of the starving people of the
leland 7 recommend that the distri hu-
tion 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
q solemn responsibility; / have ex-