The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1898-04-14


of things in Cuba that is intolerable.
That condition is thus shown to be
such that the Spanish government
cannot assure safety and security to a
vessel of the American Navy in the
harbor of Havana on q mission of peace
and rightfully there.
MR.. CLEvELAND's POSITION.
In the last annual message OF my
Immediate predecessor during the
pending struggle it was said:
"When the inability of Spain to
deal successfully with the instruction
has become manifest and it is demon
strated that her sovereignty Is extinct
in Cuba for all purposes of its rightful
existence, and when hopeless strug-
gle tor Its establishment has degen-
Grated into strife which means moth
ing more than the useless sacrifice OF
human life and the utter destruction of
the very subject-matter OF the conflict,
situation will be presented in which
our obligations to the soveignty OF
Spain. Will lie superseded by higher OBJ
legations, which we can hardly hesitate
to recognize and discharge"
In my annual message to Congress
December lest, speaking to this ques-
ton, said:
"The near future will demonstrate
whether the Indispensable condition of
a righteous peace, just alike to the Gu
bans and to Spain as well as equitable
to all our interests so intimately
involved in the welfare of Gu
ba, is likely to be attained. If not,
the ex,gency tor further and other ac-
ton by the United States will remain
to lie taken. When that time comes
that action will be determined in the
line of lndIsputable right and duty.
1t Will be faced, without misglv1ng or
hesltancy, in the light of the obliga-
ton this government owes to itself, to
the people who have confided to it the
protection OF their interests and honor,
and to humanity.
"Sure of the right, keeping free from
all offense ourselves, actuated only by
upright 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 will
abate none of its efforts to bring about
by-peaceful agencies a peace which
shall be honorable and enduring. If
1t shall hereafter appear to be a duty
imposed by our obligations, to ciyiliza-
ton and humanity to intervene with
force, it shall be without fault on our
part and only because the necessity
for such action will he so clear as to
command the support and approval of
the civilized world"
SPANS VAIN STRUGGLE.
The long trial has proved that the
object for which Spain has waged the
war cannot be attained. The fire of In
surrection may flame Or may shoulder
with varying seasons but it has not
been, and i. is plain that it cannot be,
extinguished by present methods.
The only hope of relief and repose
from a condition which can no longer
be endured is the enforced paclfcation
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 act, the war In Cuba
must stop.
In view of these facts and of these
considerations, Task the Congress to
authorize and empower the President
to take measures to secure full and
final termination of hostihties between
the government of Spain and the peo-
pie Of Cuba, and to secure In the island
the establishment of stable govern
ment capable to maintain order and
Deserving its international obligations,
ensuring peace and tranquility and the
security of its citizens as we'll as our
own, and to use the military and nav
al forces of the United States as may
be necessary for these purposes.
And In the interest of humanity ard
to aid in preserving the lives of the
starving people of the island I recon-
mend that the distribution of food and
supplies be continued and that an APP
preparation be made out of the public
Treasury to supplement the charity OF
our citizens.
The issue is now with Congress. It
is solemn responsibility. l have ex-
hausted every effort to relieve the in
tolerable condition of affairs which Is
at our doors. Prepared to execute ev-
cry obligation imposed upon me by
the constitution and the law, I await
your action.
Yesterday and since the preparation
of the foregoing message official infor-
nation 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 a suspension of hostilities, the
duration and details of which have not
yet been communicated to me. This
fact with every other pertinent con-
slderation. will, I am sure, have your
just and careful attention in the SOL
emn deliberations upon which you are
about to enter. If this measure at
tains successful result, then our as
pirations as Christian, peace-loving
people will be realized. If 1t fails, it
will be only another justification for
our contemplated action.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
Executive Mansion, April IL, 1898.
A Petersburg correspondent to the