The Monte Vista journal., 1898-04-16

/ this government owes to Itself. to the
people who have confided to II the pro-
lection Of their interests and honor,
and to humanity.
. Sure Of the right, keeping free from
all offense ourselves, actuated by up
right and patriotic considerations,
moved neither by passion nor selfish
ness, the government will continue Its
watchful care over the rights and prop.
erty OF American citizens. and win
abate none Of Its efforts to bring about
by peaceful agencies q peace which
shall be honorable and enduring. If II
shall hereafter appear to be q duty I'm.
posed by our obligations TO ourselves.
to civilization and to humanity, to In.
tervene with force, II shall be without
fault ON our part. and only because the
necessity for such action will be 80
clear as to command the support and
approval 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 name or may smould.
er with varying seasons, but II hna not
been, and II IL plain that II cannot he
extinguishetl by present methods. The
only hope OF relief and repose from q
condition which cannot longer he en-
dured IL the enforced pacification of
Cuba.
In the name of humanity. In the
name OF civilization, in behalf of en-.
danEered American 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.
sidera:ions. nsk the Congress to au.
thOrlze and empower the President to
take measures to secure full md
final termination Of hOstllitIes between
the government OF Spain and the peo.
pie Of Cuba. and to secure in the island
the establishment of stable govern.
ment. and recognising its International
character and tranquility and the se.
curity 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. recon.
mend that the distribution Of food and
clothing bc continued until pence be
secured. and that nm appropriation he
made out OF the public treasury to sup.
plement the charity Of our citizens.
The Issue Is now with the Congress
II Is n solemn responsibility. I hnve
exhausted every effort TO relieve the
intolcrable 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
Of the foregoing message official In.
formation was received by me that the
latest decree of the queen regent Of
Spain directs General BlancO. In order
to prepare and facilitate peace. TO pro-
claim suspension Of hostilifics. the
duration and details Of which have not
yet been communicated to me.
This fact. with every other consider |
alton will. ] am sure. have your Just
and careful attention. In the solemn de-
liberation upon which you nre about to
enter.
II this measure nttnIns a successful
result. then our aspirations as Chris
tian. pcacc-loving people will be real
ICED.
II 1t fails. 1t will only be another
justification for our contemplated
action.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
Executive Mansion. April II. 1888.
AT 12:iD o'clock the reading OF the
message wns concluded In the Senate.
MIR. Davis then moved that the mes.
sage be referred to :be foreign reln-
tiOns committee.
This was carried. and the Senate, at
l:l5 o'clock. adjourned.
Applause followed the close Of the
reading of the message In the Houac.
The message was referred at once to
the committee on foreign relations.
LEE EAVRR havana