The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-27
The United States VIII FOrcib1y In
tervene in Affairs of the Island
ON Humanitarian Grounds.
NO MESSAGE WITH REPORT
LATTER WILL BE TRANSMITTED TO
CONGRESS ON MONDAY,
To He Followed This Week with a
Statement of the Administra-
tiOn's Views and Policy.


WASHINGTON March 26.-President
Mckinley talked freely with his cougres-
sonal visitors to-day, both in regard to his
plans for the future and his appreciation
of the situation with reference to Cuba.
His programme as thus outlined is as fol-
lows:
To issue the report of the Maine court
of inquiry to Congress on Monday without
recommendation and without explanation
on his part further than that he has ac-
quainted Spain with the finding of the
court. To follow this on Tuesday or
Wednesday with message dealing with
the condition of the noncombatants in
Cuba and asking for an appropriation of
100000 for their immediate relief. To pre-
sent anew this condition to Spain, ask that
country to make provisions for the care of
her own helpless people and to come to
some terms with the Cubans which will
be satisfactory to them and put an end
to the war. This failing, to forcibly inter-
vene on humanitarian grounds
The President indicated to his callers an
abiding faith that peace still may be pre-
served and a determination on his part to
accomplish That end if it may be done with
honor to our own country and without dis
regarding the demands of humanity. He
frankly and repeatedly averred to-day his
desire to prevent conflict, while at the same
time indicating firm purpose to secure re-
lief for the starving reconcentrados. Indeed
the latter purpose appeared to be the topic
uppermost in the Presidents mind. He
dwelled upon the fact that the recognition
of belligerent rights or of independence
would not be of any material service to
these unfortunates. He admitted that such
action might be of assistance to the men
at arms the insurgent army, but they he
said, have shown capacity to take care of
themselves and do not stand in pressing
need of our kind offices.
The President believes Spain will interpose
no obstacles to our sending succor to her
indignent people, and he will ask Congress
to act promptly, that the aid to be given
may not arrive too late to relieve the pres
ent pressing necessities. This done, the
President is hopeful that Congress will re-
main quiet while the executive branch of
the government continues it's efforts to Sc
cure peaceful settlement of the difficulty
He thinks it not too late to do this, and he
made the assertion to-day that Spain was
willing to meet the United States half way
in adjusting the ENHANCEMENT without COM
ing to blows. He referred only casually to
the sailing of Spain's torpedo fleet, leaving
the impression on the minds of his visitors
that he considered that SO far in this mat
ter Spain is acting within the bounds of her
own rights, and that no just complaint can
yet be made by this country in regard to
this course.
Mr.. Mckinley did not enter into details
regarding the propositions he may make or
may have made, to Spain, for undoubtedly
some are now pending, but he left the i'm
settlement that would not give the Cubans
a very liberal form of government. He ad-
mitted frankly that autonomy had proved
a failure and expressed the opinion that it
cans with any settlement that might be
made as it would be to satisfy the Cubans
themselves. He reasserted the possibility
of securing an agreement on the part of
affairs with absolute freedom except that
the island should be required to pay the
mother country specified sum in the way
of tribute every year out of her revenues,
seeming to think that this would form a
basis upon which both Spain and the Gu
bans could agree without the sacrifice of
too much pride on either side.
Mr. Mckinley reverted often in his con-
and dweIt upon the fact that war meant not
only the loss of life and property, but that
it also would injure our commerce. disturb
business conditions generally. increase our
public debt. add to our pension roll and re-
suit in many ways to our disadvantage and
distress. He made it clear also that what
ever course he might pursue in the future
he would not at present demand any In
demnity at the hands OF Spain for the loss
OF the Maine, preferring to leave that mat
ter to the adjustment Of more quiet period
The President also spoke Of possible COM
plications with other nations. but did not