The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1898-04-14
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
THE LONG LOOKED FOR DOCUMENT ON
THE CUBAN QUESTION.

mains with that BODY 10 determine
Whether it Shall be War or Peace
Outline of the Message, Which Is
Regarded as Rather Tame Affair
and Generally Disappointing.
Washington, April lin his long
anticipated message to Congress,
transmitted today, the President
speaks of the present revolution in
Cuba as only one of many which have
occurred in the island during nearly
a half century, each of which has
been viewed with grave concern by
this country, on account of the loss
of American trade and commerce,
and because of the cruel, barbarous
and uncivilized practice of warfare
engaged in.
The President cites the present
struggle as one rarely paralleled, in
point of the number OF combatants
prosperous country has been reduced
to want, and its people have perish
ed by the thousands.
The concern Of our Government
found expression in the action taken
by previous administration 20 medi
ate and bring about peace. This
failed, because Of SPANS refusal to
accept any plan that did not begin
| with the submission of the insur-
gents on SPANS own terms.
The heroic resistance of the Cubans
in the face of army after army sent
to Cuba to subdue them, the barba-
rous decree for the concentration Of
the pacificos which herded 800, 900
or more people, within the towns,
| and the awful mortality which fol-
lowed this, are reviewed, the Presi-
among the victims of Weyler's de-
crees having exceeded 50 per cent. Of
| the total number.
| Spanish measures for the relief of
| these unfortunates proved illusOry,
| and the RECOMMENDATION adopted,
| avowedly as a war measure, proved
| not to be civilized warfare, but ex-
termination.
After it became evident that the
struggle would only result in ex-
termination, full military victory
on either side seeming impossible,
the President submitted Ton 7th ulto. }
after much representation and cor
| respondence, propositions looking to
| an armistice until October 1st.
In addition, the immediate revoca-
ton of the recommendation order was
| demanded, together with a request
that the needy might be relieved by
the United States Government in CO.
| operation with the Spanish authori-
| ties.
The reply of Spain (on the 31st
! ultimo) offered as means to bring
about peace, to confide the arrange
ments therefor to the island parlia-
ment. Spain would agree to sus-
pension of hostilities, if asked for by
the insurgent General-in-Chief.
1t is understood, the message says,
that the Spanish Government stands
ready to give the insular Congress
full power to settle to terms of
| peace.
With this last overture in the di-
rection of Immediate peace, and it's
disappointing reception by Spain,
| q
of his efforts,
| The President then proceeds to
| discuss exhaustively the measures
| yet untried to bring the contest to a
close.
He cites President Grants measur-
ed words, in declaring against the
recognition of belligerency, and
| pointing out the dangers of such ac-
ton.
The recognition of the independence
of the island is also deprecated.
The cases of the Republic of Texas
and Mexico are cited a precedents
against such recognition, until it is
absolutely certain that the indepen-
dence of the revolving people is a
fact beyond peradventure.
Such recognition, the President
points out, is not necessary for us to
| interpose, and the difficulties of rec
ognizing that Government, on so
unstable a foundation as the present
republic, are pointed out.
The blowing up of the Maine is
referred to as an event that Mortified
the nation.
| The message continues on that
sub ject in these words:
The Naval Court of Enquiry
which, it is needless to say, com
mands the unqualified confidence of
the Government, was unanimous in
the conclusion that the destruction
of the Maine was caused by an
exterior explosion-that of a subma-
rine mine.
| cit did not assume to place the re-
sponsibility. That remains to be
| fixed.
I'm any event, the destruction of
the Maine, by whatever exterior
cause, is patent and impressive proof
of a state of things in Cuba that is
intolerable-that the condition is
thus shown to be such that the
Spanish Government cannot assure
the safety and security to the vessels
of the American navy in the harbor
of Havana on a mission of peace, and
rightfully there.
diplomatic negotiations in refer
ence to this sad affair resulted in
SPANS offer to submit the case to
international arbitration, the facts
to be ascertained by an impartial in
vestigation by experts. whose decis-
ion Spain accepts in advance. To
this offer no reply has been sent by
this Government"
The message concludes in these
words:
The only hope of relief and re-
pose from the conditions which can
no longer be endured, is the en-
forced pacification of Cuba
In the name of humanity, in the
name of civilization. in behalf of the
endangered American interest S
which. give us the right and duty to
speak and to act. the war in Cuba
must stop.
LIN view of these facts and these