The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-12
LONDON PRESS COMMENT.
President MckinIey's Message Praised
by Several Editors


LONDON, April 12.-The Daily News.
commenting editorlally upon the Presidents
message to Congress, says: 1.-THE message
is vigorous and able document Jtndoubt-
edly it means war. unless Spain agrees to
make final terms with the insurgents and
to recall her troops from Cuba. 1t must
convince Europe that the case for American
intervention is a very strong one President
McKinley's refusal to recognize the indie
pendence of Cuba, on the ground that it
would nullify America s claims to interfere.
Is sound sense and staggerer for the jim
goes. but Spain must Loyalty cooperate
with him If war is to be averted"
The Standard says: 1.-THE undisguised dis
appointment of the jingoes at the subdued
and cautious tone of the message cannot
fail to cheer the friends Of peace. Assum-
ing an obligation to send the message at ALL
one could hardly have been drafted on lines
less calculated to cause superfluous Of
Tense. 1t is a pity, however, looking to the
attitude of Spain. that President Mckinley
could not have further postponed the mes
sage.
The Times says the message is not
couched in harsh language, though it leads
up to a policy which involves harsh judg-
ment, although one justified by the sentl-
ment of the civilized world on the treat
ment of Cuba" After expressing a fear
late, the Times comments upon the grave
responsibility which President Mckinley
throws upon Congress" 1t thinks that If
debate could be suspended for week there
might be a chance of peace. and it expresses
regret that President Mckinley ''surren-
dered his initiative, adding: He was fully
hands and thus to have. gained time-an in
dispensable condition of peace"
The Morning Post says: THE studious
vagueness of the message-except in that it
plainly notifies Spain 10 choose between
war and the abandonment of Cuba TO Such
a future as may seem good to the United
States-tells the world surprisingly little.
There is not a word to suggest that SPAN
has in any way sinned against the United
States infringed international law. The
crisis arises from the determination of the
American government to depart from
Washington's precepts and to NEEDLE in the
affairs of a foreign country.
The Daily Chronicle says: president Nc
Kinley has made many. efforts for peace:
but this is greater and holder than any OF
them. His message calls halt by throwing
upon Congress the entire and solemn re-
spOnsibility of making war. We believe,
however, that the situation is not materially
changed. War is still inevitable unless
Spain makes concessions she has hitherto
shown no disposition to make
The Washington correspondent of the
Daily News says he believes that peace is
secured President Mckinley having sue
ceeded in dividing the advocates of war.
The correspondent says also: The peace
full tendency of the message is sufficiently
proved by the fury of the jingoes."
The Daily Graphic thinks the Presidents
message bound to lead to war. 1t says
Spain will. of course, resist intervention
and war will result. But the duty of the
United States lies not the less in the path
now marked out for her by the President.
The Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph
admit that the message leaves the question
of immediate war undetermined but de-
it is impossible for Spain to accept the only
conditions which will avert war