Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-04-15
McKINLEY'S MESSAGE.

" looking for many days, for the Presidents
message on the Cuban question. After nuIner-
Gus delays, the message was sent to congress
last Monday. We were assured, day after day.
that it would be ringing" message, which
would strike terror to the hearts of the Spanish
butchers.
But. what is this message? 1t is weak
thing. and has caused more dissatisfaction than
his previous message. He talks of armed IN
tervention, but has stricken out the word I'm
mediate" so the time for Intervention is very
indefinite Spain has asked for hve-days'
armistice, and he has granted it. Meanwhile
Spain goes right ahead with her war prepare
tons. Although he does not say it in SO many
words. it is McKnley's plan to saddle debt
mon Cuba that she will not be able to pay in
hundred wears. Those poor starving patriots
have earned their freedom, and it should be
Given them without the payment of one cent
They will get very little comfort out OF Nc
Kinley's message, however.
AS we have stated the message is dlsap-
pointment. We quote few remarks OF some
OF the senator's OH tuS SuUJSS''
Senator Tilman said it was illogical and
that the Presidents recommendation OF means
was inadequate to accomplish what he wants
to do.
Senator Pettigrew said cit is the weakest
vet. 1t sums up the situation by saying we
must recognize neither belligerency nor indie
nendence. but intervene to stop the war. Spain
has already accomplished this result by grant
inc cessation of hostilities, thus leaving
nothing for us to do but to continue to make
concentrations to feeG the Cuban people
Mr.. Stewart, of Nevada, said that while he
did not at this time care to discuss the general
question. he desired to submit some remarks
bearing upon the message. He sharply criti-
c;sed the position taken by the President, say
mo il seemed evident to him (Stewart) that
the proposed intervention would precipitate
what would prove to be war OF conquest
He hoped there would be 10 intervention that
did not recognize the rights of the Cubans, who
had been struggling for years for their inde-
incidence. He believed we ought not to go to
Cuba with an armed force unless we went with
the intention of recognizing the rights and
and authority of the Cuban republic offclals
and of Joining with the insurgents to assist
them in winning their freedom and indie
psndence.
Mr.. Stewart declared that a war with Spain
would be a war with which the European
mowers would have nothing to do. The Maine
disaster alone was in itself all act OF war, and
this country would be fully justified in proceed
inn n extreme measures on that subject. The
neonle. said Mr.. Stewart, had put the crime
AGAINST the Maize ahead a point OF consdera-
ton of every other feature OF the Cuban ques-
ton and they would most heartily approve OF
war with Spain to wipe out the stain upon this
country produced by the foul Spanish plot. He
insisted that no war ought, however, to be pre-
c;n;tated that did not include the Cuban lnsur-
cents as allies to our arms. If this country
should recognize the independence OF Cuba the
people would applaud the action IRON the AT
I.,t;c RI the Pacific, because it would mean the
freedom of an oppressed and downtrodden
people. -.
Mr. Rutler, of North Carolina, in rising to
,8er resolution, said that it was perfectly evil
dent that the message just lead did not mean
the independence of Cuba, for which the pa
.r;ots Of the island had so long been struggling.
nh. President, said he, merely asks US to al1-
....-;ue him TO stop the war in Cuba. That