The Meeker herald., 1898-04-16
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
YlIRAs YAE ClIRAN 0llKSYInM nuER IN G0NGRKSS
Mr. Mckinley Says the Present Situation nolerable and
Asks that Power be Given Him to Terminate Hes
tities.

otNp8 tuAth ~ tAG Why AVA 8OubE
form of honorable settlement.
The assassination Of the prime min
lister, Senor Canavas, led to a change
OF government in Spain. The former
administration. pledged to subjuga ton
without concession, gave place to that
of a more liberal party. committed
long In advance to a policy Of reform
Involving the wider principle Of home
rule of Cuba and Porto Rico, the over
lures OF this government. although no;
accepted to the extent OF admitted
mediation in any shape, were met by
assurances that home rule, In an ad-
vanced phase. would be forthwith of
fered to Cuba. without waiting for the
war to end. and that more humane
methods should thenceforth prevail In
the conduct of hostlities.
American citizens held under one
charge or another connected with the
insurrection were released md by the
end Of November, not single person
entitled In any way to our protection
remained in Spanish prison.
In my annual message of December
last | said:
"Of the uptried measures there re-
mains only recognition Of the insur-
gents as belligerents. recognition of
the Independence of Cuba, neutral in
teryention and forcible annexation.
Now, as then, annexation Is not to be
thought of. 1t is recognized fully that
a declaration of neutrality, by which
belligerency would he recognized,
would Of itself accomplish nothing
Turning TO the question OF recognize
ing at this time the independence Of
the present insurgent government in
Cuba we find safe precedents In our
own history from nm early day. They
are well summed up in President
Jackson's message to Congress, De-
cember u, 1886, on the subject of the
recognition of the independence Of
Texas He said: 1T has thus been
made known to the world that the
uniform policy and practice of the
United States is to avoid all interfer-
ence in disputes which merely relate
to the international government Of
other nations and eventually to recog-
nize the authority of the prevailing
party without reference to our partic-
ular interests and views or to the mer-
its of the original controversy"
In the contest between Spain and the
revolted colonies we stood aloof and
waited not only until the ability Of
the new states to protect Themselves
was fully established, but until the
danger Of their being again subjudi-
Gated had entirely passed away. Then
and not until then were they recoR-
nized.
Nor On the standpoint of expedsence
do think It would be wise or pru-
dent for this government to recognize
Mt this time the Independence Of the
so-called republic. Such recognition Is
not necessary In order to enable the
United States to intervene and pacify
the island. To commit this country
now to the recognition Of any particu-
lar government In Cuba might subject
us to embarrassing conditions of inter
national obligation towards the or
ganizatiOn so recognized. In case of
Intervention our conduct would be sub
ject to the approval or disapproval Of
such government, and we would be re-
quired to submit to its direction and to
assume to 1t the more than relation of
friendly ally.
There remains the alternative for in
tervention to end the war. either by
Impartial neutrality. imposing a ra-
tional compromise between the contest
ants, or as the active ally of the one
party or the other.
As to the first 1t Is not to be forgot
ten that during the last few months
the relations of the United States has
virtually been one of friendly inter
vention In many ways. each effort of
itself being conclusive, but all tend
ing to the exertiOn of potential inf1u-
ence toward an ultimate pacific result
lust and honorable to all interests con-
cerned. The spirit of all our acts hith-
ertO has been earnest. unselfish desire
for peace and prosperity In Cuba, un-
tarnished by differences between the
United States and Spain and unstained
by the blood of American citizens.
The YOrcible Intervention of the
United States as n neutral nation to
stop the war, according to the larger
dictates of humanity and following
many historical precedents where
neighboring states have interfcred to
check the hopeless sacrifice of life by
conflicts beyond their borders, is justi-
finble on a rational ground. II In
wolves, however, constraint upon both
the parties to the contest as well as to
enforce a truce as to guide the event.
ual settlement. The grounds for such
Intervention may be briefly summar-
lied as follows:
First-In the cause Of humanity and
to put an end to the barbarities, star
vation and horrible miseries now ex-
listing there.
Second-we owe 1t to our citizens
in Cuba to afford them that protection
and indemnity for life and property
which no government there can or
will afford.
Third-Rfght to intervene may Be
justified by the very serious injury to
the commerce. trade and business Of
our people and by the wanton destruc-
tion Of property and devastation Of the
island.
Fourth-And which Is the most su,e-
cif1c: The present condition Of q.
fairs Ii q constant menace to oar
peace and entails upon this eoyeRn-
ment an enormous expense.
With such = conflict waged for ysess
In the island 20 near us and vffh