The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-04-13
THE WAR WITH SPAIN,


There has been prolonged struggle
going on for some time past between
the money-power Of the world. and es-
pecially the holders Of the Spanish bonds
on the one hand. and the indignation of
the American people on the other over
the horrible and tremendous devasta-
tions committed upon the unfortunate
people of Cuba.
President Mckinley and the Repub-
lican party have been between the devil
and the deep sea. 1t was dangerous to
quarrel with the Empower, for 70
1t they owed their victory Of 1896; and if
they fought with them it meant the
withdrawal of assistance in future cam
paigns; while, on the other hand, the
recent elections have shown that the
people are disguised with them and
ready to throw them all overheard next
fall. Ninety-nine out Of every hundred
Americans are In favor of the freedom
OF Cuba, and the party stands pledged to
it in their national platform.
Either way is ruin to them. 1t is as
dangerous to offend the money lenders
as it Is to disgust the people. Hence
there has followed, for months and
years past. series of efforts at delay
Ito keep the word Of promise to the
ear and break it to the hope"
And Mckinley has played in every
nnocfh1o fOr do1oVr Tho oil
destruction of the United States steam
ship, Maine" has, however. shattered
the plans Of the schemers by -arousing
Unreasonable indignation among the
American people over the slaughter Of
260 Of their sailors! The war fever
RACES too strongly to be openly resisted.
but still Mckinley continues his subter-
fuges and devices.
The investigation of the causes Of the
destruction Of the Maine was prolonged
beyond all reason. and even after the
report Of the experts had been received,
week or ten days elapsed before it was
sent to congress; day after day it was
promised but 1t came not. At last,
when 1t was received, it was found to
contain a proposition to leave the whole
matter in the hands Of McKinley-in
other words, of the bondholders. And it
did not contain single word Of ap-
prevail or support Of the revolutionists
paralleled and heroic struggle for the
liberty Of their country. The evidences
of treachery have become SO plain in the
whole business, that the Republican con-
gressmen have been forced by public
opinion to break away from the presi-
dent, and his knavish tricks. A special
message to the st. Paul Dispatch, a
leading Republican paper of this state.
says:
Special Telegram.
WASHINGTON, April 11-President Nc
Kinley's message is not we'll received by
congress.
It's one single recommendation that the
responsibility which the message itself i'm
poses on the congress be shifted by that
body back to the president will never be
adopted.
To those who have insisted from the out
administration. the message is no surprise.
To those who had hoped for something az
gressive. the message is a disappointment.
Congress has no faith in eleventh hour re-
pentance from Spain. With General Lee
hurrying to Washington as the result of a
belief that the lives Of the American citi-
zens in Havana were in great danger, it
certainly comes with poor grace from the
president to talk about an armistice and
cessation of hOstilitieS the part of
Spain. That portion Of the message refer
ring to the destruction Of the Maine is
fully as unsatisfactory as the rest.
If Cuba Is to be helped to liberty it
will have to be by the American people
and not by the American government.
Even Loren Fletcher, of Minneapolis,
who has always been conservative Re-
publican and friend of the president,
speaks out as follows:
THE message, after being so long de-
layed, really makes no specific recommends
tions and outlines nothing but what has
been tried for SO long. If I were to sum it
up in one word 1 would say the message
means wait 1 don't think the house will
accept any further delay.
We shall give the latest news received
up to the date Of our going to press II
there is any possible way Of the cor
ruptionists to stab Cuban liberty and
leave the island In the possession Of