The Butler Weekly Times Newspaper, April 14, 1898, Page 6

{ ® sem!-war footing with a nation with which A MESSAGE ON CUBA. President McKinley Informs Cou- Ee gress on Cuban Matters. . WRECK OF TEE BATTLESHIP MAINE. i The Catastrophe Referred to as Proof of Spain's Incapacity to Govern Cuba and Powers Asked for the Prosi- dent to Stop the War. Wasurtnctox, April !2.—The presi- dent yesterday sent the following mes- Sage to the congress of the United States: Obedient to that precept of the constitution which commands the president to give from time to time the congress information of the state of the union and to recommend to their consideration such measures as he shail judge necessary and expedient, it becomes my duty now to address your body with regard to the grave crisis that has arisen in the relations of the United States to Spain by reason of the warfare that for more than three years hag raged in the neighboring island of Cuba’ I do Bo because of the intimate connection of the Cuban question with the state of our own union end the grave relation the course which is now incumbent upon the nation to adopt must needs bear to the traditional policy of our govern- mentif it is to accord with the precepts laid down by the founders of the republic and religiously observed by succeeding administrations to the present day. The present revolution is but the successor of other similar insurrections which have occurred in Cuba against the dominion of Spain extending overa period of nearly half a century, each of which, during its progress, has subjected the United States to great effort and expense in enforcing its neutrality laws. caused enormous losses to the American trade and commerce, caused irri- tation, annoyance and disturbance among our eltizens, and by the exercise of cruel, barbar- ous and uncivilized practices of warfare, shocked the sensibilities and offended the hu- mane sympathies of our people. Since the present revolution began in February, 1895, this country has seen the fertile domain at our threshhold ravaged by tire and sword in the course of a struggle unequaled in the history of 3 the island and rarely paralleled as to the num- ber of the combatants and the bitterness of the contests by any rev .lution of modern times where a dependent people, striving to be free, bave been opposed by the power of the sovereign state. Our people have beheld a once prosperous community reduced to comparative want, its commerce virtually paralyzed, its exceptional produotiveness diminished, its fields laid waste, its mills in ruins and its people perishing by tens of thousands from hunger and destitution. We have found ourselves constrained, in the observance of that strict neutrality which our Jaws enjoin and which the law of nations com- “~ mands, to police our own waters and watch our own seaports in prevention of any unlawful act in aid of the Cubans. Our trade has suffered: the capital invested by our citizens in Cuba has been largely lost, and the temper and forbear- a ance of our people have been so sorely tried as to beget a perilous unrest among our own citi- zens, which has inevitably found its expression from time to time in the national legislature so that issues wholly external to our own body politic engross attention and stand in the way of that close devotion to domestic advancement that becomes a self-contented commonwealth whose primal maxim has been the avoidance of all foreign entanglements. All this must needs awaken and has indeed aroused the ut- most concern on the part of this government as well during my predecessor's as my own & Efforts to Bring About Peace ,, In April, 1896, the evils from which our coun- ©. try suffered through the Cuban war became 0 onerous that my predceessor made an effort to » bring about a peace through the mediation of te this government in *- v -vay that might tend to ~Dieheneraule adjyustment of the contest be- tween Spain and her revolted colony, on the basis of some effective scheme of self-govern- ment for Cuba under the flag and sovereignty of Spain. It failed, through the refusal of the Spanish government, then in power, to consid- er any form of mediation or indeed any plan of Settlement which did not begin with actual fubmission of the insurgents to the mother country, and then only on such terms as Spain herself might see fit to grant. The war con- tinued unabated. The resistance of the in- surgents was in no wise diminished Polley ef Devastation. ‘The efforts of Spain were increased, both by the dispatch of fresh levies to Cuba and by the addition to the horrors of the strife of a new ie 2ndiphuman phase happily unprecedented in ern history of civilized Christian peo- The policy of devastation and concentra- inaugurated by the captain-general's lo of October 21, 1896, in the province of ar del Rio was then extended toembrace all of the island to which the power of the Spanish arms was able to reach by occupation or mili- tary operations. The peasantry, including all welling in the open agricultural interior, were : driven into the garrison towns or isolated Places held by the troops. The raising and * movement of provisions of all kinds were in- terdicted. The fields were laid waste, dwell- ings unroofed and fired, mills destroyed, and, in short, everything that could desolate the land and render it unfit for human habitation or support was commanded by one or the other of { the contending parties, and executed by all the g Powers st their disposal By the time the present administration took ofMice,@ year ago, reconcentration, so called, had been made effective over the better part of the four central and western provinces— Santa Clara, Matanzas, Havana and Pinar del Rio The agricultural population, to the es- timated numbor of 300,000 or more, was de- prived of the means of support, rendered desti- tute of shelter, left poorly clad and exposed to the most unsanitary conditions As the scar- city of food increased with the devastation of 4 the depopulated areas of production, destitu- tion and want became misery and starvation Month by month the death rate increased in analarming ratio. By March, 1897, according “R~ vconsorvative estimates from ofiejal Span. & ish sources, the mortality among the :cconcen- trados from starvation and the diseases there- to incident, exceeded 50 per cent. of their total number. No practical relief was accorded to the destitute. The overburdened towns, al- ready suffering from the general dearth, could give no aid. So-called rones of cultivation, established within the immediate area of ef- fective military control about the cities end fortified camps proved illusory as a rem- edy for the suffering The unfortu- Bates, being for the most part women and chil- ij Gren with aged and helpless men, enfeebled by Gisease and hunger, could not have tilled the soil without tools, seed or shelter, for their own support or for the supply of the cities. Reconcentration adopted avowedly as a war measure in order to out off the resources of the insurgents, worked its predestined results As Isaid in my message of last December it was not civilized warfare; it was extermination. ‘The only peace it could beget was that of the wilderness and the grave. Relapsed into a Dogged Straggic. Meanwhile the military situation in the is- land had undergone a noticeable change. The extraordinary activity that characterized the second year of the war, when the insurgents in- vaded even the hitherto unharmed fields of Pina del Rio and carried havoc and destitution uptothe walls of the city of Havana itself, had relapsed into a dogged struggle in the cen- tral and eastern provinces The Spanish arms regained a measure of control in Pinar del Rio and parts of Havana, but, under ry the existing conditions of the rural country, a without immediate improvement of their pro- 5 Oi. oe 4 | i | | i i Ly i Hl ductive situation Even thus partially redis- tricted the revolutionists had their own and their submission, put forward by Spain as the essential and sole basis of peace, seemed as far distant as at the outset In this state of affairs my administration found itself confronted with the grave problem of its @ay. Overtares Made Last December. My message of las: December reviewed the situation and detailed the steps taken with a ‘e~ of relieving its acuteness and opening the ‘way to some form of honorable se’ The assassination of the prime minister, Cano- vass, led toa change of government in Spain The former administration pledged to subju- gation without concession gave place to that of ® more liberal party, committed long in ad- vance to a policy of reform involving the wider principle of home rule for Cuba and Puerto Rico. The overtures of this government, made through its new envoy, Gen. Woodford, and looking to an immediate and effective ameloria- tion of the condition of the island, although not accepted to the extent of admitted mediation in any shape, were met by assurances that home rule, in an advanced phase, would be forthwith offered to Cuba, without waiting for the war to end, and that more humane methods should thenceforth prevail in the conduct of hostilities. Incidentally with these declara- tions, the new government of Spain continued and completed the policy already begun by its predecessor of testifying friendly regard for this nation by reieasing American citizens held under one charge or another connected with the insurrection, so that, by the end of November. not a single person entitled in any ay to our national protection, remained in Spanish prison The Starving Cubans Fed. While these negotiations were in progress the increasing destitution of the unfortunate reconcentrados and the alarming mortality among them claimed earnest attention The success which had attended the limited mea: ure of relief extended to the suffering Ameri- can citizens among them by the judicious ex- penditure through the consular agencies of the money appropriated expressly for their succor by the joint resolution approved May 23, 1897, prompted the humane extension of a similar scheme of aid to the great body of sufferers A suggestion to " au- this end was acquiesced in by the Span thorities On the 2ith of December caused to be issued an appeal to the Am people, inviting contributions in money or in kind for the succor of the starving suffer in Cuba; following this on the Sth o! by asimilar public announcement of th: forma- tion of a central Cuban relief committee. with headquarters in New York city, com- posed of three members representing the American national Red Cross and the religious and business elements of the community. The efforts of that committee have been untiring and have accomplished much. Arrangements for free transportation to Cuba have greatly aided the charitable work. Tne president of the American Ked Cross and representativ of other contributory organizations have gen- erously visited Cuba and co-operated with the consul general and the los authorities to make effective distribution of the relief collect- ed through the efforts of the central committee. Nearly #200,009 in money and supplies has al- ready reached the sufferers. and more is forth- coming. The supplies are admitted duty free, and transportation to the interior has been arranged, so that the relief, at first necessarily confined to Havana and the larger cities, isnow extended through most, if not all, of the towns where suffering exists Thousands of lives have aiready been saved. ‘The necessity for a change in the condition of the reconcentrados is recognized by the Span- ish government. Within afew days past the orders of Gen. Weyler have been revoked, the reconcentrados are, it is said. to be permitted to return to their homes and aided to resume the self-supporting pursuits of peace; public works having been ordered to give them em- ployment and a sum of 260,000 has been appro- priated for their relief. The war in Cuba is of such a nature that short of subjugation or extermination a final military victory for either side seems imprac- ticable. The alternative lies in the physical exhaustion of the one or the other party, or perhaps of both—a condition which, in effect, ended the ten years’ war by the truce of Zan- jon. The prospect of such a protraction and conclusion of the present strife {sa contingency hardly to be contemplated with equanimity by the civilized world, and least of all by the United States, affected and injured as we are, deeply and intimately by its very existence. Propositions Sabmitted to the Spanish. Realizing this, it appears to be my duty, in a spirit of true friendliness, no less to Spain than to the Cubans who have so much to lose by the prolongation of the struggle, to seek to bring about an immediate termination of the war. To this end, I submitted, on the 27th ultimo, asa result of much representation and correspond- ence, through the United States minister at Madrid, propositions to the Spanish govern- ment, looking toan armistice until October 1, for the negotiation of peace with the good of- fices of the president. In addition, I asked the immediate revocation of the order of reconcen- tration, so as to permit the people to return to their farms and the needy to be relieved with provisions and supplies from the United States, co-operating with the Spanish authorities so as to afford full relief. The reply of the Spanish cabinet was re- ceived on the night of the 3ist ultimo. It of- fers, as the means to bring about peace in Cuba, to confide the preparation thereof to the insular department, inasmuch as the concur- rence of that body would be necessary to reach @ final result, it being, however, understood that the powers reserved by the constitution to the central government are not lessened or di- miiished. “As the Cuban parliament does not meet until the 4th of May next, the Spanish government would not object, for its part, to accept at once a suspension of hostilities, if asked for by the insurgents from the general- in-chief, to whom it would pertain, in such ease, to determine the duration and conditions of the armistice. The propositions submitted by Gen. Wood- ford and the reply of the Spanish government were both in the form of brief memoranda, the texts of which are before me, and are sub- staatially in the language above given The function of the Cuban parliament in the matter of “preparing” peace and the manner of doing so are not expressed in the Spanish memo- randum; but from Gen. Woodford’s explana- tory reports of preliminary discussions preced- ing the final conference it is understood that the Spanish government stands ready to give the insular congress full powers to settle the terms of peace with the insurgents, whether by direct negotiation or indirectly by means of legislation does not appear. With this last overtures in the direction of immediate peace and its disappointing reception by Spain, the executive was brought to the end of his effort What Was Said in the Last Message. In my annual message of December last I said: “Of the untried measures there remain: Recognition of the insurgents as belligerents; recognition of the independence of Cuba; neutral intervention to end the war by imposing a rational compromise between the contestants and intervention in favor of one or the other party.” I speak not of forcible annexation, for that cannot be thought of. That, by our code of morality, would be criminalaggression Therefore, I re- viewed these alternatives, in the light of Presi dent Grant's measured words, uttered in 1875, when, after seven years of sanguinary,destruc- tive and cruel barbarities in Cuba he reached the conclusion that the recognition of the in- dependence of Cuba was impracticable and in- defensible: that the recognition of belligerence was not warranted by the facts according to the tests of public law. I commented especially upon the latter aspect of the question, pointing out the inconveniences and positive dangers of ® recognition of belligerency, which. while adding to the already onerous burdens of neu- trality within our own jurisdiction, could not in any way extend our influence or effective of- ‘ices in the territory of hostilities Nothing has since occurred to change my view in this regard, and I recognize as fully now as then that the issuance of a proclamation of neutral- ity, by which process the so-called recognition of belligerence is published, could, of itself and unattended by other action, accomplish nothing toward the one end for which we la- bor, the instant pacification of Cuba and the cessation of the misery that afflicts the island Precedents on Recognition. Turning to the question of recognizing at this time the independence of the present insurgent government in Cuba, we find safe precedents inour history from an early aay. They are well summed up in President Jackson's mes- sage to congress, December 21, 1838, on the sub- ject of the recognition of independence of Tex- ss. Hesaid: “Inall the contests that hare arisen out of the revolutions of France, out of the disputes relating to the crews of Portugal and Spain, out of the separstion of American posses- Sions of both from the European governments, ‘Snd out of the numerous and constantly occur- ting struggles for dominion in Spanish Amer- fea, so wisely consistent with our just principles has been the action of our government that we have, under the most critical circumstances, avoided all censure and encountered no other evil than that produced by & transient estrange- ment of good will in these against whom we have been by force of evidence compelled to decide. It bas thus made known to the world that the uniform policy and practice of the United States is to avoid all interference in disputes which merely relate to the internal government of other nations, and eventu- ally to recognize the authority of the pre- vailing party without reference to our particular interests and views or to the merits of the orig- inal controversy, but on this, as on every other oceasion, safety is to be found in a rigid adher- ence to principle. “In the contest between Spain and the revolt- ed 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 subjugated had en- tirely passed away. Then, and not until then, were they recognized. Such was our course in regard to Mexico herself. Andrew Jackson on Texas. “It is true that with regard to Texas the civil authority of Mexico has been expelled, its in- vading army defeated, the chief of the republic himself captured and all present power to con- sole the newly organized government of to- ‘s annihilated within its confines But, en the other hand, there {s in appearance at least, an immense disparity of physical force on the side of Texas The Mexican republic under another executive is rallying it forces under @ new leader and menacing a fresh invasion to recover its lost domain. “Upon the issue of this threatening invasion, the independence of Texas may be considered as suspended, and were there nothing peculiar in the situation of the United States and Texas, our acknowledgement of its independence at such a crisi y be regarded as consistent prudent reserve with to held ourselves bound with that which we have hith kson proceeded to con- risk that there sider th ight be imputed to the United States mo of selfish interests in view of the former claim on our part of the territory of ‘Texas and of the avowed purpose of the Texa ing recognition of inde- pendence as an incident to the incorporation of Texas in the union, concluding thus: “Prudence, therefore, seems to dictate that we should still stand aloof and maintain our present attitude, if not until Mexico itself, or one of the great for- eign powers shall recognize the independence of the new government, at least until the lapse of time or the course of events shall have proved beyond cavilor dispute the ability of the people of that country to maintain their separate sovereignty and to uphold the govern- ment constituted by them. Neither of the con- tending parties can justly complain of this course. By pursuing it, we are but carrying out the long-established policy of our govern- ment, a policy which has secured respect and influence abroad and inspired confidence at home." These are the words of the resolute and patriotic Jackson. They are evidence that the United States, in addition to the test imposed by public law as the condition of the recogni- tion of independence by a neutral state (to-wit, that the revolted state shall “constitute in fact @ body politic, having a government in sub- stance as well as in name, possessed of the ele- ments of stabilit and forming de facto, “if left to itself, a state among the nations, rea- sorably capable of discharging the duties of a “ has imposed for its own governance, in g@ with cases like these, the further con- dition that recognition of independent state- hood is not due toa revolted dependency until the danger of its being again subjugated by the parent state has entirely passed away. Isaid in my message of December last: “It is to be seriously considered whether the Cu- ban insurrection possesses beyond dispute the attributes of statehood, which alone can de- mand the recognition of belligerency in its favor." The same requirement must certainly be no less seriously considered when the graver issue of recoguizing independence is in question, for no less positive test can be ap- plied to the greater act than to the lesser, while on the other hand the influences and consequences of the struggle upon the internal policy of the recognizing state, which form {m- portant factors when the recognition of bellig- erency is concerned, are secondary, ff not rightly eliminable factors when the real ques- tion is whether the community claiming recog- nition is or is not independent beyond perad- venture. Averse to Recognition. Nor from the standpoint of expedience doI think it would be wise or prudent for this gov- ernment to recognize at the present time the independence of the so-called Cuban republic. Such recognition is not necessary in order to enable the United States to intervene and pacify the island.) Tocommit this country now to the recognition of any particular govern- ment in Cuba, might subject us to embarrassing conditions of international obligation toward the organization so recognized In case of intervention, our conduct would be subject to the approval or disapproval of such govern- ment; we would be required to submit to its direction and to assume to it the mere relation of a friendly reply. When it shall appear hereafter that there is within the island a gov- ment capable of performing the duties and dis- charging the functions of a nation, and having, as a matter of fact, the proper forms and at- tributes of nationality, such government can be promptly and readily recognized, and the rela- tions and interests of the United States with such nation adjusted There remain the al- ternative forms of intervention to end the war, either as an impartial neutral, by imposing a rational compromise between the contestants, or as an active ally of the one party or the other. As to the first, itis not to be forgotten that during the last few months, the relation to the United States has virtually been one of friend- ly intervention in many ways, each not of itself not conclusive, but all tending to the exertion of potential influence toward an ultimate pa- cific result just and honorable to &ll interests concerned. The spirit of all our acts hitherto has been an earnest. unselfish desire for peace and prosperity in Cuba, untarnished by difter- ences between us and Spain and unstained by the blood of American citizens. The forcible intervention of the United States as a neutral to stop the war, according to the large dictates of humanity and following many historical precedents where neighboring States have interfered to check the hopeless sacrifice of life by internecine conflicts beyond their borders. is justifiable on national grounds. It involves, however, hostile constraint upon both the parties to the contest as well as to en- force a truce as to guide the eventual settle- ment. Grounds for Latervention. The grounds for such intervention may be briefly summarized as follows: First—In the cause of humanity and to put anend to the barbarities, bloodshed, starva- tion and horrible miseries now existing there, and which the parties to the conflict are either unable or unwilling to stopor mitigate It is no answer to say this {s all in another country, belonging to another nation, and is therefore none of our business It is specially our duty, for it is right at our door. Second—We owe it to our citizens in Cuba to afford them that protection and indemnity for life and property which no government there can or will afford. and to that end to ter- minate the conditions that deprive them of le- gal protection. Third—The right to intervene may be Justi- Sed by the very serious injury tothe commerce, trade and business of our people and by the Wanton destruction of property and devastation of the island Fourth—And which is of the utmost impor- tance. The present ¢ondition of affairs in Cuba is @constant menace to our peace, and entails apen this government an enormous expense. With such a conflict waged for years in an is- (and so near us and with which our peopie have such trade and business relations—when the lives and liberty of our citizens are in constant janger and their Property destroyed and them- selves ruined—where our trading vessels aré liable to seizure and are seized at our very ijoor, by warships of a foreign natien, the expe- ditions of ilfbustering that we are powerless to prevent altogether, and the irritating ques- ions and entanglements thus arising—all these and others that I need not mention, with the resulting strained relations, are a constant menace to our peace amd compel us to keep on justification for our contemplated =! We are Bt peace. ‘The Wreck of the Battleship Maine. These elements of danger and disorder al- ready pointed out have been strikingly illus- trated by a tragic event which has deeply and justly moved the American people. I have al- ready transmitted to congress the report of the naval court of inquiry on the destruction of the battleship Maine in the harbor of Havana dur- ing the night of February 15. The destruction of that noble vessel has filled the national heart with inexpressible horror. Two hun- dred and fifty-eight brave sailors and marines and two officers of our navy, reposing in the fancied security of a friendly harbor, have been hurled to death, grief and want brought to their homes and sorrow to the nation. The naval court of inquiry which, it is need- less to say, commands the unqualified confi- dence of the government, was unanimous in its conclusion that the destruction of the Maine was caused by an exterior explosion, that of a submarine mine It did not assume to place the responsibility. That remains to be fixed. In any event the destruction of the Maine, by whatever exterior cause, is a patent and im- pressive proof of a state of things in Cubs that is intolerable. The condition is thus shown to be such that the Spanish government c: ot assure safety and security to a vessel of the American navy in the harbor of Havana on a mission of peace and rightfully there. Further referring in this connection to recent diplomatic correspondence. a dispatch from our minister to Spain, of the 26th ultimo, con- taining the statement that the Spanish minis- ter for foreign affairs assured him positively that Spain will do ali that the highest honor and justice requires in the matter of the Maize. The reply above referred to of the 3ist ultimo also contained an expression of the readiness of Spain to submit to an arbitration all the differences which can arise in this matte: which is subsequently explained by the not of the Spanish minister at Washington on the 10th inst, as follows: As to the question of fact which springs from the diversity of views between the report of the American and Span- ish boards, Spain proposes that the fact be as- certained by an impartial investigation by ex- perts, which decision Spain accepts in advance. To this I have made no reply. Gen. Grant's Opinion. President Grant, in 1875, after discussing the phases of the contest as it then appeared, and the hopeless and apparent indefinite prolonga- tion, said: ‘In such event, I am of the opinion that other nations will be compelled to assume the responsibility which devolves upon them, and to seriously consider the only remaining measures possible, mediation and interven- tion. Owing, perhaps, to the large expanse of water separating the island from the peninsula, the contending parties appear to have within themselves no depository of common conti- dence to suggest wisdom when passion and ex- citement have their sway and assume the part of peacemaker. In this view, in the earlier days of the contest, the good offices of the United States as a me- diator were tendered in good faith, without any selfish purpose, in the interest of humanity and in sincere friendship for both parties, but were at the time declined by Spain with the declaration, nevertheless, that at a future time they would be indispensable. No intimation has been received that in the opinion of Spain that time has been reached And yet the strife continues with all its dread horrors and all its injuries to the United States and of other nations Each party seems quite capable of working great injury and damage to the other, as well as to all the relations and interests dependent on the existence of peace in the island: but they seem incapable of reaching any adjustment, and both have thus far failed of achieving any Success whereby one party shall possess and control the island to the exclusion of the other. Under the circumstances, the agency of others, either by mediation or by intervention, seems to be the only alternative which must, sooner or later, be invoked for the termination of the strife.” President Cleveland Quoted. In the last annual message of my immediate Predecessor, during the pending struggle, it was said: '-When the inability of Spain to deal successfully with the insurrection has become manifest, and it is demonstrated that her sovereignty is extinct in Cuba for all purposes of its original existence, and when a hopeless Struggie for its re-establishment has degen- erated into a strife which means nothing more than the useless sacrifice of human life and the utter destruction of the very subject matter of the conflict, a situation will be presented in which our obligations to the sovereignty of Spain will be superseded by higher obliga- tions, which we can hardly hesitate to recog- nize and discharge." What Mr. McKinley Previously Stated. In my annual message to congress, December last, speaking to this question, I said: “The near future will demonstrate whether the in- dispensable condition of a righteous peace, just alike to the Cubans and to Spain, as well as equitable to all our interests so intimately in- volved in the welfare of Cuba, is likely to be attained. If not, the exigency of further and other action by the United States will remain to be taken. When that time comes that action will be determined in the line of indisputable right and duty. It will be faced without mis- giving or hesitancy in the light of the obligation this government owes to itself, to the people who have confided to it the protection of their interests and honor, and to humanity. Sure of the right, keeping free from all offense ourselves, actu- ated only by upright and patriotic considera- tions, moved neither by passion nor selfish- ness, the government will continue its watch- ful care over the rights and property of Amer- ican citizens and will abate none of its efforts to bring about by peaceful agencies a peace which shall be honorabie and enduring. shal hereafter appear to be a duty imposed by our obligations to ourselves, to civilization and humanity to intervene with force, it shall be without fault on our part and only because the necessity for such action will be so clear as to command the support and approval of the civ- ilized world.” The long triai has proved that t! which Spain has wazed the war c: be at- tained. The fire of insurrection may flame or may smoulder with varying seasons. but it has not been and it is plain that it cannot be ex- tinguished by present methods The only hope of relief and repose from a cond which cannot longer be endured is the enfc pacification of Cuba. In the name of humanity, in the name of civilization, in behalf of endan- gered American interests which gives us the right and the duty to speak and to act. the war in Cuba must stop Power Asked to Terminate Hostilities, In view of these facts and these considera- tions, I ask the congress to authorize and em- power the president to take measures to secure a@ full termination of hostililities between the government of Spain and the people of Cuba, and to secure in the island the establish- ment of @ stable government capable of main- taining order and observing its in- ternational obligations insuring peace and tranquillity and the security of its citizens as well as our own, and to use the military and Raval forces of the United States as may be necessary for these purposes, and in the inter- est of humanity and to aid in preserving the lives of the starving people of the isiand, I recommend that the distribu- tion of food and supplies be continued and that an appropriation be made out of the public treasury to supplement the charity of ourcitizens. The issue is now with congress. Itis a solemn responsibility. Ihave exhaust- ed every effort to relieve the intolerable condi- tion of affairs which is at our doors Prepared to execute every obligation imposed upon me by the constitution and the law, I await your action. Yesterday and since the preparation of the foregoing message official information was re- ceived by me that the latest decree of the queen regent of Spain directs Gen Blanco, in order to prepare and facilitate peace, to pro- object for claim a suspension of hostilities, the duration and details of which bave mot yet been communicated to me This fact, with every other pertinent consider- stion. will, Iam sure, have your just and care- ful attention in the solemn deliberations upon which you are sbout toenter. If this measure attains a suceessful result, then our aspirations asa peace-loving people, will be realized If it fails it will be only another action WILitaM McKisier. Executive Mansion, April 11 OPINIONS OF CONGRESSMEN Republican House Members Ge: » Gen rally Prove the President's Message Wags Senators Do Not Like I, i. The ifter the ‘orsement fy > and mang q from s reaking abogy ‘CUBA IN THE SENATE Senator Quay Presents Petitions and | Speaks on the Cuban Question. WASHINGTON dent's me read major | MESSACE REFERRED T0 COMMITTEE. cused t wey it ux have time dens oe ’ }more ¢ perus In a Senator Batler Uffers a Resolution Author- | WAY tons Were based ggg izing the President to Stop the War ground that itdid not go far ¢ —Little Interest In the House j im recog tt bans. O re Outside of the Message. | terances o | Was that of Se an, from ju re Wasuinoros, April 12.—In t ate yesterday every avail both on the floor and in the galleries, was occupied when Vice President sen- iat seat, ber o nber of on 1 have no peu ations. Hobart’s gavel called the session to/tience with the messa and you ¢aq order. Scarcely had the senate been | say so. He refused to inte da called to order when Senator Quay, of House rey cans ¢ nerally aa Pennsylvania, precipitated the Cuban] proved the me ssage. There wort question by presenting some petitions and making startling comments upon them. He took the strongest for immediate and impetuous action. “The people of the United Stat said he, | few exceptions, however. notably | resentative Joy, of St. Louis, who ground | ¢lared: “I shall be ing less than j ing to the in atisfied with no med intervention look lependence of the Cuban) my judgment,” are 7 ¥ | people and the expulsion of the Span nearly unanimous that the time for] ish flag from Cuban soil.” The dem. negotiation upon the Cuban question | ocrats without except on declared hos is past. The presert is a case y to the general trend of the mes for neither pope, prelate nor pres- byter. They believe that further members of the house fc session negotiations mean further time for the concentration of the Spanish naval forces and for general Spanish prepa- rations for war. They know that Spanish torpedo flotilla is en route for our shores, whose mission is hostile, whose only interest can be to destroy our vessels, as the Maine was destroyed, and slay our sailors, as the sailors of the Maine were slain. For these pur- poses, they believe the army and navy of the United States should be utilized until Cuba is free end the Maine is avenged.” Even while Senator Quay was speak- ing, Maj. Pruden, the legislative sec- retary to the president, entered the chamber, bearing the long-expected message. He was recognized as soon as Senator Quay had concluded, and when he had presented the message the vice president immediat laid it before the senate. In a stillness that was almost breathless the message was read, the reading occupying just 42 ttee held noon tomap out a deft nite Cuban but were totally unable to agreement. It iy understood that many of the members whose views heretofore have been Pro nounced in favor of independence and intervention, in stating their positiog at this informal meeting, announced an almost complete change of position, VICTORY FOR INDIANS. pol reach Sapreme Court of the United States Awardy New York Red Men $1,250,000 on an Appeal, Wasiinoron, April 12.—In the United States supreme court a decision wa rendered yesterday in the matter of the claim of the New York Indian to the proceeds of the sale of 2,000, 06 acres of land formerly owned by th Indians in the state of Kansas, The lands were sold by the governmen minutes. At the conclusion of the|#"4 the proceeds covered into ¢ reading Senator Davis, of Minnesota, | treasury of the United States. Thy chairman of the foreign reiations com-| I®dians brought suit and lost thelt mittee, at once moved that it be re-| C#8¢ in the court of claims. Yestes ferred to his committee, and Senator] 4#Y’s opinion reverses the deetstoy and gives them the money, amounting to about $1,250,000. Justice Brown said the Indians had never made formal forfeiture of the land and the government could not pro dispose of it. The chief justiog a Justices Harlan and Brewer dissented. THE CONSULAR REPORTS, All the Correspondence of Our Ke pretentar %: cri 8 Stewart, taking advantage of the op- portunity, briefly addressed the sen- ate in favor of recognizing the i pendence of the Cuban insur, Without further debate, the was referred as requeste: Serator Butler, of North Carolina, then offered a resolution uuthorizing the president to use the army and navy to stop the war in Cuba. The resolu- tion went over. Another message from the pre transmitting the Cuban consuls Inessage tives In Caba Submitted to Ce The Suffering Depicted. ent r t ports was laid before the senate and, WasmnGton, April 1:2.—The after being read, was referred with] lar correspondence, with regard’ the accompanying papers to » com-| situation in Cuba, which was mittee on foreign relations. The sen-| mitted yesterday, was prepared i he solutions of inquiry adopy* house and senate, ™€ covers the comr 4 a tions of Consul General Lee at BR Consul MeGars at Cienfuegos, Const srice at Matanzas, Consul Hyatt ab Matanzas, Consul Ilyattat Santiagode Cuba, and Consul Varker at Sagua ley Grande. The communications deak largely with the distress and suffering which sts in the districts, bul ate at 1:15 p. m. then adjourned. THE sponse to by both HOUSE WasHINnGtonx, April 12.—Phe dent's message was read in the house yesterday in the presence of a vast as- semblage and referred to the eommit- tee on foreign affairs without debate. There was a sharp burst of applause from the republican side when, toward the close of the message, the president said the war in Cuba must cease. At presi- all the conclusion of the reading about] Gen. Lee reports quite fully upon the half the republicans applauded and] decrees of the government with regard several of the democrats groaned. | to autonomy and other political phases After the message had been referred, | of the situation. the house transacted some District of Columbia business and then acted upon THE MAINE WRECK. * the Fairchilds-Ward contested election ‘ ease from the Eighteenth New York| Gen. Lee May Add Some Knowledge t district by confirming Ward's title to What Is Already Known of @ j the seat. Little or no interest was Conspiracy. 4 taken in the proceedings. SAYS SPAIN WOULD WIN. Tampa, Fla., April 13.—Gen, Lee mash) be able, when he reaches Washington ; to add some knowledge to what is ak ready known regarding the plot which the Maine was blown up, t not, perhaps, to the extent of fixing the conspiracy officially on the Spas gf ish government. After the departurr of the Sampson court of inquiry it wat Former Minister of Spanish Marines Nays firing Would Cause a Panic on American Ships Maprip, April 12.—El Heraldo de Madrid publishes an interview with Adm. Beranger, former minister of | left to him to follow up the clews marine, in the course of which he ex-|¢arding conspirators. On one point pressed his confidence in the ability of | information is definite. Gen. Lee be the Spanish navy to win in the e lieves the letter of January 1, st of war with the United States. “TT tributed to ¢ Weyler, in which ss boastfully of having pre na harbor so that Yaokes ships could be destroyed, is genuine. is no fear,” said Adm. Beranger, our Cuban ports being exposed to a night attack, inasmuch as Havana, Cienfuegos. Nuevitas and Santiago de Cuba are defended by electric and au- tomatic torpedoes with a large radius 12.—The foture ons of the United States of action. The late Senor Canoras with Spa’n and toCuba now rests with del Castillo, who paid attention congress. What course it will pursue to these matters, decided, in ac | cannot be foretold. The foreign com cord with myself, to send to Cuba] mittees of both houses now have the 190 torpedoes which must have been subject in their control, and after due Placed in those harbors. I have al-| deliberation will report to thelri ready said that, by sea, we shall be vie- torious. I will give you my reasons. The firstis the excellentd spective branches what they consider should be the attitude of the United States on the grave question presented, vline main- tained on our warships; t second is 3 Sies, oa bomrd the Aderican vessels. | = cure at enn oe as soon as firing is opened a pauic will avaxA, April 12.—The Official zette to-day publishes a decree, signed Set in, since it is common knowledge that their crews comprise men of ev- ery nationalit Pitted ship against ship, then we have nothing to fear. by Capt. Gen. Blanco, announcing that the Spanish government, yielding to the reiterated wishes of the pope, had decreed a suspension of hostilities in | Cuba in order to facilitate the resto Miniter Helped Fight Fiames the i MBIA, Mo, Ap 2.— During | ration of peace in the island. No time easter services Sunday t Columbia |is fixed for t expiration of the de Episcopal church caught fire from a cree. defective flue near the roof. Dr. Repubiienss lucult Melkkiaie Henry Watts, the minister, aided by E - 4 __ J 2LGIN, Ill, April 12.--President Me a congregation, fought the fre until | Kinley was hanged in efigy last night tl nbesitrs of the Columbia fire com- | by a party of radical republicans. a which extinguished the flames | They sclected a tree on the island near fore the roof had been destroyed. | the watch factory nad completed their The remainder of the building was | saved and the loss is small. Gen. Brooke to Command. Cuicaco, April 12. —Orders have been received from Washington placing the Chickamauga camping ground under the jurisdiction of Gen. John R Brooke, of the department of the lakes. Prep- arations are being made to receive the troops when they arrive there at the rendezvous. Forage and other sup- plies have been contracted for from Chicag work at an early hour in the morning. | A large crowd gathered and jeered at the suspended figure until a police officer cut it down. To Investigate Leftwich’s Desth. Gattatis, Mo., April 12—In his enarge to the grand jury yesterday | Circuit Judge Broaddus sai‘ the rumor | that the late Gus Leftwicl, wwe editor | Who died recently, met death by poison ae serasgpeecnrs | administered by another party, should be thoroughly invest: gated and the exact facts made known, o \ ‘oO.