Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-11
The Message.

President Mckinley's message to Con-
gress on the Cuban matter is a sweeping
Indictment of Spanish incapacity and cruel
ty. 1t is dignified in its tone throughout, in
no place impassioned, nowhere unreasona-
Bile, nowhere weak
The message is not couched in terms that
will please Spain. Nor is it sufficiently
radical in its presentation Of the case to
please all Americans. 1t Is a revelation Of
facts that warrant no other course than
that which is now proposed, the interven-
ton by this government in the Cuban stu
alton to put an end to an intolerable condi-
ton near at hand.
The President reviews the record in
phrases which indicate that the horrors of
the case, as set forth in detail in the con-
sular correspondence likewise submitted to-
day, have appealed strongly to his feelings
as a man and his sense of duty as a public
official. After a careful survey of the
whole matter, including reference to his
annual message, he sets forth the grounds
for Intervention in plain terms, showing
that many considerations appeal for action.
He notes the affair of the Maine with
words of pt triotic horror for the de-
struction of the vessel and the slaugh-
ter of her crew. He expresses the
full confidencs of the government in
lLc lidNdl CouEt vi llQulIJ WHICH Q6ClQ6U
that the ship was wrecked by a submarine
mine. He notes the proposition of the
Spanish government to submit the affair to
international arbitration. but adds that to
this proposal he has made no reply. This
leaves the case of the Maine where 1t was,
under further investigation by Congress
with the view of determining, if possible,
the responsible agent for the explosion
theoretically this government Is committed
to the presumption that the Maine was de-
stroyed either through Spanish negligence
or by Spanish treachery.
The President urges that 1t would be I'M
wise to recognize the independence of Gu
ba before moving to intervene forcibly to
end the war. His reasons for this opinion
are strongly stated.
The most important portion of the entire
document is that contained in the last few
paragraphs, in which the President calls
attention to the fact that the only hope of
relief from the many evils of the present
situation is the enforced pacification of
Cuba" He declares that in the name OF
humanity, civilization and endangered Amer
lean interests the war must stop. There
fore, having no confidence in the ability of
Spain to pacify the island by any MEANS
he asks Congress for power to intervene
and secure full and final termination of
hostilities'' and 1.-The establishment of a
stable government capable of maintaining
order and observing it's International obli-
cations. insuring peace and security to its
citizens as we'll as our own
For these objects the President seeks the
authority to use the military and naval
forces OF the country. IIe sets forth that
he has exhausted every effort to relieve the
intolerable condition at our doors and sub
mits the whole case to Congress for its
action. - .''- r@si:si---
The President notes the latest diplomatic
change in the case, the proposal for an
armistice, which he likewise submits to the
attention of the houses. He intlmates that
the armistice is not accepted by the
Cubans the contemplated action of this
country will be the more fully justified
mus the message brings the case to the
latest phase, and shows that in Congress
and the Cuban insurgents now rests the
ultimate responsibility for further steps
toward the reduction of the grave evils
prevailing in the island The President
makes no mention of forms of government
Tor the island after peace has been re-
stored He Shows the incapacity of Spain
TO govern the island. He shows likewise
mat the autonomy proposal has failed.
lhis elimination leaves only independence.