Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-04-21

degenerated into strife which means nothing
more than the useless sacrifice of human life
and the utter destruction of the very subject
matter of the conflict a condition will have
been produced in which our obligations to the
sovereignty of Spain will be superseded by
tate to recognize and discharge"
The December Message Reverted To.
In my annual message to congress, in Decem-
Der last, speaking to this question, r said:
The near future will demonstrate whether
the Indispensable condition of a righteous peace
just alike to the CubanS an dto Spain, as well as
equitable to all our interests so intimately IN
volved in the welfare of Cuba, is likely to be
attained. not the ex1gency OF further and
other action by the United States will re-
main to be taken. When that time comes that
action will be determined in the line OF indis-
putable right and duty 1t VIII be faced with
out misgiving and hesitancy, in the light of the
obligation this government owes to itself to
the people who have conided to it the protec-
ton OF their interests and honor, and to hui
manity.
Sure of the right, keeping free from all Of.
Tense ourselves actuated only by upright and
patriotic considerations, moved neither
oy passion nor selfshness, the govern
over the rights and property of American citi-
zens and Will abate none of its efforts to bring
about by peaceful agencies a pea which snail
be honorable and enduring. If it shall here
after appear to be duty imposed by our obIi-
cations to ourselves, to civilization and hui
mainly to intervene with force it shall be
without fault on our part and only because the
necessity for such action Will be so clear as to
command the support and approval of the civil
lied world"
SPANS Efforts Have Proved Futile.
The long trial has proved that the object for
which Spain has waged the war can not be at
tanned The fire of instruction may flame or
may shoulder, with varying seasons, but it has
not been, and it is plain that it can not be, ex-
tingutShed by present methods The only hope
of relief and repoSe from condition which can
not longer be endured is the enforced pacifica-
ton OF Cuba. In the name of humanity, in the
name of civilization, in behalf of endangered
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 considera-
tions, ask the congress to authorize and en-
power the president to take measures to secure
a full termination of hostiIities between the
government of Spain and the people of Cuba,
and to secure in the island the establish
ment Of stable government capa-
ing its international obligations, insuring
peace and tranquility and the security of its
naval and military forces of the United States,
as may be necessary, for these purposes and in
the interest of humanity, and to aid in pre-
pie of the island, recommend that the
be continued and that an appropria-
ton be made out of the public treasury to sup
plement the charity of our citizens. The issue
is now with the congress. 1t is solemn re-
relieve the intolerable condition Of affairs
every obligation imposed on me by the consti-
tuition and law, 1 await your action.
Spain's Armistice Decree.
Yesterday, and since the preparation OF the
foregoing message, official information was re-
ceived by me that the latest decree by the
queen regent of Spain directs Gen. Blanco, in
order to prepare and facilitate peace, to pro-
claim suspension of hostilities, the de-
tails OF which have not yet been
communicated to This fact, with
every other pertinent consideration,
WILL am sure, have your just and careful at
tentiOn in the solemn deliberations upon which
you are about to enter If this measure at
tainS a successful result, then our aspirations
as Christian. peace-loving people will be re-
allied. If fails it will be only another justi-
tication of oUr contemplated action.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
Executive Mansion, April IL.