The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-10-29
THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN.
A New York Paper Justly Censures
the Mckinley Administration.


d the Mckinley Administration.
Never In the history Of nations have a
people been so unanimous and enthusiast
tic in the support of the government in
the prosecution of a war as were the
people OF the United States from the be-
ginning of the war with Spain to the
time that protocol OF peace was signed,
says Town Topics. This fact should
have given to President Mckinley de-
gree OF nerve and backbone equal to any
contingency. In Mr.. Mckinley's conduct
of the war and Of the matters preceding
the war there was much to commend,
much that fostered confidence that the
war would be prosecuted to successful
and satisfactory result. Has it been?
Is the present position of the Spanish
question in any way satisfactory? There
is a very loud answer in all over the
land-No!
When the reports came from Santiago
and from the army camps in the South
of sickness and suffering, and the news
paper howlers began their work of de-
moralization, panic seems to have seized
the president. The backbone and nerve
counted upon were utterly wanting Mr..
Mckinley was thoroughly scared. One
thought came uppermost in his mind
some sort Of move to bring about imme-
diately the semblance Of ending the war.
limitations were conveyed to Spain that
proposals looking to an armistice and
peace would be favorably considered.
The proposals came. They were indeti-
mite in everything except the suspension
of hostilities; but this would give the
president chance to tell the people that
the war was over, and the army would
be sent home as quickly as possible put,
ting an end to the death, sickness and
suffering incident to field operations.
At the moment that this peace propo-
sltion was accepted and active hostilities
suspended, the army and navy were in
hot chase of the Spaniards, and their
prey. to the last ship on the sea and thu
last soldier in the field, was within immi-
nent grasp. Within three weeks Watson
could have had Camaras fleet; Miles
could have had Porto Rico with it's gar
rison. Blanco could have been SO in
vested by land and sea that he would
have Internationally surrendered, AS
'foral did; Spain would have said:
Lot
take those of our carcasses that are still
living home whole?' Instead of this,
the president, with his shell-fsh verte-
brae, accepts protocol providing for a
peace commission and diplomatic nego-
tlation at the capital of foreign coun-
try. A sentiment of gumbling, fault
finding and discomfort is disseminated
over the country that will make new en-
listments almost impossible. Within
six months the administration may find
Itself without an army or the possibility
OF raising one. 1t may find itself with
Spain recuperated and filled with ego
tlsm, putting in play its clever diplomacy
TO minimize the results Of its defeat and
advantages this country should receive
for the enormous cost in treasure and
lives we have incurred. This is a most
pttiable spectacle.
While there were two or three able
men in Mr. Mckinley's cabinet, no one
mas regarded 1t as a strong body. Whether
MI. Mckinley has taken his cabinets adj
vice in the matter of the peace protocol
or not, do not know, but think 1t more
than probable that he has acted in ac-
cord with his personal views. I can
hardly believe that the secretaries of war
ana navy could have counseled such an
utter letting down when on the high
road 10 success as the suspension of hos
'''lties meant. l can harly believe that
either of those officials favored the rand
dissolution of the military and naval
forces. putting ships out of commission
dlscllarging men, mustcring out regi-
mchts ana distributing troops all owe,
creation, when, unless the United State,
are TO practically back down from tbc
purpose which the people had in s,,pport.
ing the war, all these ships and men
IN" morc-may yet be needed to bring
spain and other European powers with =
leaning toward her aid, to a sense thai
she ahd they must submit to victorious