The times., 1899-10-01
MAKING READY FOR WAR.
The President Asks Authority to Inc
tervene in Cuba.

congress was reSt1Ve and the Ameri
can press and people were eager for wa
There were but few Americans who did ns
want to help drive Spain from the Wester
world. On April IL President McKinIe
addressed message to Congress and aske
for authority to intervene in Cuba. ths
the Spanish-Cuban war might be stoppe
and order re-established. He reviewed th
efforts made by this Government to med
late between Spain and Cuba. He said:
But the war continued unabated. The
resistance of the insurgents was in no
wise diminished. The efforts of Spain
were increased, both by the despatch
OF fresh levies TO Cuba and by the ad-
ditlon to the horrors OF the strife of a
new and inhuman phase happily un-
precedented in the modern history of
civilized Christian peoples. The policy
OF devastation and concentration in
augurated by the captain generals ban
do OF October 21, 1896, in the province
OF Pinar del Rio. was thence extended
TO embrace all OF the island to which
the power of the Spanish arms was
able to reach by occupation or by mill
taTy operations. The peasantry. in
Guiding all dwelling in the open agri-
cultural interior, were driven into the
garrison towns OF isolated places held
by the troops. The raising and move
ment OF provisions OF all kinds were
interdicted. The fields were laid waste.
dwellings Unroofed, and fired. mills
destroyed. and in short everything that
could desolate the land and render it
unit for human habitation or support
was commanded by one or the other OF
the eontesting parties and executed by
all the power at their disposal.
Long trial has proved that the object
for which Spain has waged war can
not be attained. The fire of insurrec-
tion may flame or may smoIder with
varying seasons, but il has not been
and it is plain that IL cannot be extin-
guished by present methods The only
hope Of relief and repose from a con-
dition which can no longer be endured
Is the enforced paeifcation OF Cuba.
In the name of humanity, in the name
of civilization, in behalf Of endangered
American interests which gives us the
right and the duty TO speak and to act.
the war in Cuba must stop.
In view of these facts and of these
considerations, l ask the Congress TO
authorize and empower the President
to take measures 10 secure full and
final termination between the Govern
ment of Spain and the people of Cuba.
and to secure in the island the estab-
lishment of a stable government ca
pable of maintaining order and Of OBJ
serving its international obligations,
ensuring peace and tranquility, and the
security of its citizens as well as our
own. and to use the naval and military
forces Of the United States as may be-
necessary for these purposes.
The Issue with Congress.
And in the interest of humanity and
to aid in preserving the lives of the
starving people of the island, recon-
mend that the distribution OF food be
continued and that an appropriation
be made out of the public Treasury to
supplement the charity Of our citi-
Zens.
The issue is now with Congress. L
is a solemn responsibility. I have ex-
hausted every effort to relieve the in
tolerable condition of affairs which is
at our doors. Prepared to execute
every obligation imposed upon me by
the Constitution and the law, / await
your action.
Yesterday. and since the preparation
OF the foregoing message, Official lnfor-
nation was received by me that the
latest decree OF the Queen Regent OF
Spain directs General Blanco in order
to prepare and facilitate peace. to pro-
claim a suspension of hOstilities, the
duration and details of which have not
vet been, communicated to me- This
fact with every other pertinent consid-
Grafton will, am sure, have your just
and careful attention in the solemn de-
hberations upon which you are about
to enter. II this measure attains sue
cessfui result, then our aspirations as
a Christian. peace-loving people will be
realized. II it fails, it viii only be
another justification for our eOntem-
plated action.
Accompanying the message Of the Presi-
ent there were a number OF consular re-
,orts on conditions in Cuba. These re-
orts had been withheld from Congress for
long time and had furnished the ground
york of & number of vehement attacks on
he Administration.
The War Resolutions.
Congress on April 10 eoneurred in the
which follow and which were
ent to the President and By him approy-
d on April 20:
Resolved, BY the Senate and House Of Repre-
antatiyes of the United States Of America, IN
congress assembled:
l. That the people of the island Of Cuba are
nd OF right ought TO be free and independent
2. That IL is the duty OF the United States 70
emand, and the Government Of the United
tates does hereby demand, that the Government
Spain at once relinquish its authority and
overnment in the Island of Cuba. and withdraw
S land and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban
aters.
5. That the President Of the United States be.
nd he hereby is, directed and empowered 10 use
ne entire land and naval forces OF the United
,ates, and to call into the actual service OF
lie United States the militia Of the several States
such extent as may be necessary TO carry
iese resolutions into effect.
4. That the United States hereby disciaims any
sposition or intention to exercise sovereignty.
or control over said island except
II the pacihcatiOn thereof. and asserts its de-
animation when that is accomplished to leave
le government and control OF the island to its
aople.
Rights of NeutraIs.
On April 10 the State Department issued
lie following declaration regarding the in
irrational relations of the United States
the event of war:
In the event Of hostilities between the United
ates and Spain, it viii be the policy Of this
overnment not TO resort 70 privateering The
overnment viii adhere 20 the following rules:
I. The neutral flag covers enemies goods.
it'll the exception Of eontrabInd Of war.
. Neutral goods not eontraband OF war are
,t liable 10 eonfscation under enemies flag
8. Bloekades in order to be binding must be
fectiye.
Senor Polo Bernabe demanded his
issports on April 20 and on April Il thu