The silver star., 1898-04-14
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
TURNS THE CUBAN QUESTION OVER 70 CONGRESS-.
Mr. Mckinley Says the Present Situation is ntolerable and
Asks that Power be Given Him to Terminate Hos
Titles


| form of honorable settlement.
| The assassination of the prime min
ister Senior Canovas, led to n change
of government in Spain. The former
administration. pledged to subjugation
without concession, gave place to that
of more liberal party, committed
long In advance to Il policy of reform
involving the wider principle of home
rule Of Cuba and Porto Rico. the over
lures Of this government, although not
accepted to the extent of admitted
mediation in any shape. We're 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 We're released and by the
end of November, not Il single person
entitled in any way To our protection
remained in Spanish prison.
In my annual message of December
last l said:
"Of the untried measures there re-
mains only recognition of the insur-
gents as beligerents. recognition of
the independence of Cuba. neutral in
terventiOn 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 recogniz-
ing at this time the independence of
the present insurgent government in
Cuba we find safe precedents in our
own history from an early day. They
are well summed up in President
.Iacksons message to Congress, De-
cembcr 2l. 1896. 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
revoltcd 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 We're they recog
niZed.
Nor on the standpoint of cxpedience
do l think il would he wise or pru-
dent for this government to recognize
at 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 dsappr0val of
such government. and we would he re-
quired to submit to its direction and to
assume to 1t the more than relation OF
n friendly ally.
There remains the alternative for in.
tervention to end the war. either by
impartial neutrality. imposing rn-
tiOnal compromise between the contest
ants. or ms the active ally OF the one
party or the other.
As to the first II Is not TO be forgot
ten that during the last few months
the relations of the United States hns
virtually been one OF friendly inter-
ventlOn In many ways. each effort OF
Itself being conclusive. but all tend
Ing to the exertiOn OF n potential infiu-
cnce toward an ultimate pacific result
just and honorable to all interests con-
cerned. The spirit OF all our acts hith-
ertO has been earnest. unselfish desire
for pence and prosperity In Cuba. I'M
furnished by differences between the
United States and Spain and unstained
by the blood of American citizens.
The forciblc Intervention OF the
United States as u neutral nation to
stop the war. according to the larger
dictates OF humanity and following
many historical prccedcnts where
nclghborlng states have Intcrfcred 10
check the hopeless sacrifice OF life by
conflicts beyond their borders, IL justi-
fable on rational ground. II In
wolves. however. constrnint upon both
the parties 10 the contest as well ms to
enforce truce ns to guide the event
ual settlement. The grounds for such
Intervention mny be briefly summnr-
lied ns follows:
Flrst-ln the cause Of humanity and
to put mn end Ia the barbnrltlcs, stnr-
vntion and horrible miserIes now ex-
IstIng there.
SecOnd-We owe II 10 our citizens
In cubn 10 nffOrI them that protection
and indemnity for life and property
which no government there cnn or
will afford.
Thlrd-ltIght to intervene mny bc
Justified by the very serious Injury 10
the commerce.. trade and business Of
our people nnd by the wnnton destruc-
tion of property ana devastation Of the
island.
Fourth-And which In tho most spc.
cine: The present condition Of M.
fnirr IN n constant menace to, our
pence nnd entails upon this govern.
incnt mn enormous expense.
With such conflict wnged for yenrs
IN the lslnnd No near I'm nnd with
which our people have trndc and busi-
ness relntlOns-when the lives nud IIb-
crfy Of our citizens nrc In constant
dnfger and their property and them.
eeIvcH ritlnpvl--WliSsn f,ttr trntlis,s, vs,.