The times., 1899-10-01
EVENTS THAT LED TO WAR
AReyew Of the Horrors That Preceded the Conflict Between
America and Spain.
Upon People Cuba-Th
he Nine-Speeches in
The President Asks for Authority

The Spanish American war was prefacet
y many grave and momentous events
resident Mckinley, in his annual mes
age, which was transmitted 70 Congress
n December s. presented a review OF thl
elations between Spain and the Unite,
tates during the whole century. Tha
art Of the message bearing on Cuba fol
ows:
During the last seventy OF eighty
years conditions in the Island OF Cuba
have been such as 10 cause concern in
this country. During the present trou-
bles both the Spaniards and the insur-
gents have paid no regard TO the civil
lied code OF war
The cruel policy of concentration
was initiated February 16, 1896. The
productive districts controlled by the
Spanish armies were depopulated. The
agricultural inhabitants were herded
in and about the garrison towns, their
lands laid waste, and their dwellings
destroyed. This policy the late cabi-
net OF Spain justified as a necessary
measure Of war and as a means of cut
ting of supplies from the insurgents.
II has utterly failed as a war measure.
II was not civilized warfare. 1t was
determination. Against this use Of
the rights of war l have felt con-
strained, on repeated occasions, to en-
ter the firm and earnest protest Of this
Government.
instructions TO Woodford.
The instructions given 10 our Minis
ter TO Spain. before his departure for
his post, directed him to impress upon
that Government the sincere wish of
the United States to lend its aid toward
ending the war in Cuba by reaching a
peaceful and lasting result, just and
honorable alike 10 Spain and to the Gu
ban people. These instructions recited
the character and duration of the con-
test, the widespread losses it entails,
the burdens and restraints ii imposes
on US, with constant disturbance of
national interests, and the injury re-
sulting from an indefinite continuance
OF this state OF things.
II was stated that at this juncture,
our Government was constrained seri-
ously to enquire IL the time was not
ripe when Spain, Of her own yolition
aid moved by her own interests and
every sentiment of humanity should
put a stop 10 this destructive war and
make proposals of settlement honor
able 10 herself and Just to her Cuban
colony 1t was urged that as a neigh
boring nation, with large interests in
Cuba We could be required 10 wait only
E reasonable time for the mother coun-
try 10 establish its authority and re-
ers of the island. that We could not
an indefinite period for the
accomplishment Of this result.
Three Lines of Action.
I see three lines OF action open to
the United States-recognition of the
Insurgents as beIligerents, recognition
Of the independence of Cuba, and neu-
trail Intervention on behalf of COM
promise, or on humanitarian grounds.
| object TO the first cause on the
ground that il is very doubtful whether
the Cuban insurrection possesses the
attributes Of statehood, which a,ole
can demand the recognition Of beliiger-
anry in its favor; besides such recogni-
ion would advantage Spain rather than
III
property Of statehood makes recogni-
ion Of Cuban independence inadmissi-
lie.
Il is honestly due 10 Spain and TO
,ur friendly relations with SPAN. that
he should be given a reasonable
hance 10 realize her expectations and
o prove the asserted efficiency OF the
Iew order Of things to which she stands
allied the commander whose brutal or
lers infaamed the American mind and
.hocked the civilized world. She has
modified the horrible order Of concen-
ration
Appeal for the Cubans.
( was the day before Christmas, 1897,
II an appeal TO the people Of the United
ates was issued asking that they give
TO the Cuban reconcentrados. The ap-
i was sent out by the Secretary Of State
q follows:
ly direction q the President, the public is
orrned that in deference 10 the earnest desire
the Government 10 contribute by effective ae-
b toward the relief Of the suffering people OF
Island Of Cuba, arrangements have been PCT
ted hy which charitable contributions, IN
neF OF IN klnls caD Ac eeht 70 Ahe -9+a--0 -
benevolently disposed people Of the United
tes
loney, clothing, provisions, medicines. and the
r articles Of prime necessity can be forwarded
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee. the Consul General Of the
tied states al Havana, AID all articles now Gu
BE by law. 50 consigned, VIII be admitted
o Cllba free Of dirty. The Consul General has
q Instructed to receive the same and 10 CO
rate with the local authorities and the chari-
De boards for the distribution Of such relief
onr the destitute and needy people Of Cuba
The President Is confident that the people Of
United States, who have on many occasions
the past responded most generously TO the
for bread from people stricken by famine
sore calamity, and who have Deheld no less
ler0us action on the part Of foreign comruu-
ies when their Own c0untrgmen have suffered
IA Gre and food win heed the appeal for aid,
4 CONES from the destitute az their own TIRES
d. and, especially 81 this sess0n a good
. and rejoicing, give O, their abundance 10