Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1898-04-15
UP TO CONGRESS- NOW
FATE OF CUBA IN THE HANDS OF
THE LEGISLATIVE BoDY.

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the subject in their control and after
due deliberation will report to their 70.
spective branches what they consider
should be the attitude Of tho United
States on the gravo question presented.
Early action BY the committees d q.
pected. but exactly whsn Il may b
looked for now 10 not determinable.
Tho full responsibility Of the subject
was placed upon congress when Presi-
dent Mckinley transmitted to 1t . caro-.
fully prepared and anxiously awaited
message relating to
Our Negotiation with spaia
% to ito warfare In Cuba and drawing
therefrom his personal conclusions and
recommendations. He placed the trust
with these words:
1.-The issue 10 now with congress. It
10 o solemn responsibility. I have ex.
hausted every effort to relieve the In.
tolerable condition Of affairs which 10
ct our doors Prepared to execute
every obligation imposed upon mo by
the oonstitution and the law, lawait
your action"
No message In recent years caused
such widespread and intense interest.
No message was ever listened to with
moro close attention by both galleries
aud members at both ends Of the Cap
itol. That 1t did not create profound
enthusiesm may have been due to the
fact that it, main features
Had lsssn Accurately Forecast
or to - disappointment among those
who wanted Cuban Independence and
immediate reprisal upon spsia for tho
destruction of the Maine. For . long
time large majority In both houses
has favored recognition Of the indie.
pendence Of Cuba; for more than two
years. as voiced In resolutions passed
by congress, the recognition Of belliger.
ency has been sought. Both Of these
propositions were antagonized in the
message aud consequently. in this re.
gard, the message did not accord with
the majority sentiment. The message
left congress very much at sea, because
the disparagement in views between It
aud the executive are obstacles hard to
surmount, unless, as now seems posi-.
BILE. congress sees its course to act in
accord with the presidents recon.
mendation.
Salient Points Of the Mssssgs.
In his message to congress tho
president strongly opposes recognition
Of belligeroncy as inexpedient. He
also opposes the recognition Of
the independence of Cubu at this
time. but favors the granting Of
authority for such use Of the armed
forces of the United States as he may
deem necessary to put an end to hos.
tilittes and to secure q stable govern.
ment in Cuba. He also asks for an sp.
preparation to bo used for the relief Of
such Of the people as are still In need.
The Maine incident figures prominently
in the message, and the president
argues that the wreck Of our battleship
in Havana harbor shows conolusively
that Spain 10 not able to guarantee to
the United States and to the other ma.
tions that security to their vessels
which they have right to demand.
The message shows, however, that
Spain. so far 40 can be done, without
specific action by the cortes, has dis.
avowed any connection with tho wreck.
ing Of tho Maine. and has expressed her
deep regret and sorrow that the ap.
palling disaster should have occurred
in port within her jurisdiction.
Spain's decree for q suspension Of
hostilities is submitted to congress for
just and careful attention, with the OBJ.
servation that IL the measure attains o
successful result then our aspirations
% peace.loving people will be real.
lied. It 1t fails it will be only another
justification for our contemplated 90.
tion.