The Norman Journal. (Norman, Okla.), Vol. 1, No. 8, Ed. 1 Friday, April 15, 1898 Page: 3 of 8
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The President Sends to Congress a
Communication About the Situ-
ation Existing in Cuba.
THE EFFORTS TO BRING ABOUT PEACE,
I'olicy of Devastation —The Overture* Made
—The Starving ( ubmu Fed — Proposi-
tions Made— Precedents on Keeognltlou
—The Mnlne Wreck—Power Anked to
Terminate Hostilities.
Washington, April II.—The presi-
dent to-day 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 shall judge
necessary and expedient, it becomes my dutv
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 has
ragod in the neighboring island of Cuba. I do
so because «f the intimate connection of the
Cuban question with the state of our own union
and the grave relation the course which is now
incumbent upou the nation to adopt must needs
bear to the traditional policy of our govern-
ment if 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 over a
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
citizens, uud 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 tho
present revolution began in February, 189. ,
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
the island and rarely paralleled as to the num-
ber of the combatants and the bitterness of
the contests by any revolution of modern times
where a dependent people, striving to be free,
have 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
productiveness 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
laws 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-
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.
KfTort* to limit? About Peace.
In April. lSUfl, the evils from which our coun-
try suffered through the Cuban war became so
onerous that ray predecessor made an eff >rt to
bring about a peace through the mediation of
this government in any way that might tend to
an honorable adjustment 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 Hag and sovereignty
of Spain. It failed, through the Tefusal 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
submission 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
Policv of llevuMtxtioii.
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
and inhuman phase happily unprecedented in
the mod rn history of civilized Christian peo-
ples. The policy of devastation and concentra-
tion. inaugurated by the captain-general's
bands of October '21. IH.iti, in the province of
Pinar del Rio was then extended toembraceall
of the island to which the power of the Spanish
arm* was able to reach by occupation or mili-
tary operations. The peasantry, including all
dwelling in the open agricultural interior, were
driven into the garrison towns or isolated
placcs held by the troops. The raising un 1
movement of provisions of ail kinds were in-
terdicted. Tho II Ids 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
powers at their disposal.
11/the time the present administration took
office, a 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 number of 800,000 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
the depopulated areas of production, destitu-
tion and want became misery and starvation.
Month by month the death rate increased in
sn alarming ratio, lly March, 1897, according
to conservative estimates from oftlelal Span-
ish sources, the mortality among the reeoncen-
trados from starvation and the diseases there-
to incident, exceeded R0 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 zones of cultivation,
established within the immediate area of ef-
fective military control about the cities
and fortified camps proved illusory as a rem-
edy for the suffering. The unfortu- I
nates, being for the most part women and chil-
dren with aged and helpless men, enfeebled bv
disease 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 cut off the resources of tlu
insurgents, worked its predestined results. As
1 said in ray 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.
KelMWied Into a lloggeri Struggle.
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
up to the 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
the existing conditions of the rural country,
without immediate Improvement of their pro-
ductive situation. Even thus partially redis-
tricted the revolutionists had their own and
their submission, put forward by Spain as the
essential ami 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 da*.
Overturen Mml« l.mt December.
My message of last December reviewed the
situation and detailed the steps taken with a
view of relieving its acuteness and opening the
way to some form of honorable settlement.
The assassination of the prime minister, Cano-
vass, led to a change of government in Spain.
The former administration pledged to subju-
gation without concession gave plaee to that of
a more liberal party, committed long in ad-
vance to a policy of reform involving the wider
principle of home rule for Cuba and Puerto
Rica 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 releasing 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
way to our national protection, remained in a
Spanish prison.
The Starving tubulin 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 meas-
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 24.
1HU7, prompted the humane extension of
a similar scheme of aid to the
great body of sufferers A suggestion to
tnis end was acquiesced in by the Spanish au-
thorities. On the 21th of December last, I
caused to be issued an appeal to the American
people, inviting contributions in money or in
kind for the succor of the starving sufferers in
Cuba; following this on the 8th of January by
a similar public announcement of the 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. The president of
the American Red Cross and representatives
of other contributory organizations have gen-
erously visited Cuba and co-operated with the
consul g -neral and the local authorities to
make effective distribution of the relief collect-
ed through the efforts of the central committee.
Nearly #200,00J 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, is now extended through most,
if not all, of the towns where suffering exists
Thousands of lives have already been saved.
The necessity for a change in the condition of
fhe reconcentrados is recognized by the Span-
ish government Within a few 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 s if-supporting pursuits of peace; public-
works having been ordered to give them em-
ployment and a sum of WW.OOO 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 is a contingency
hardly to be contemplated with equanimity by
fhe civilized world, and least of all by the
United States, affected and injured as we are,
deeply and Intimately by its very existence.
Propositions Submitted 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, as a
result of much representation and correspond-
ence. through the United States minister at
Madrid, propositions to the Spanish govern-
ment, looking to an 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 31st ultimo. It of-
fers, as the means to bring about peace in
Cuba, to eonlide the preparation thereof to the
insular department, inasmuch as the concur-
rence of that body would be necessary to reach
a final result, it being, however, understood
that the powers reserved by the constitution to
the central government are not lessened or di-
minished. 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
case, 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-
stantially 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 las'
overtures in the direction of immediate peace
and its disappointing reception by Spain, the
executive was brought to the end of his effort
What Win Said In tin* Lint Menage.
In my annual message of December last I
said: "Of tho untried measures there remain:
Recognition of the insurgents as belligerents;
recognition of the independence of Cuba-
neutral intervention to end the war by
wnnos'nir 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 bo
thought of. That, by our code of morality,
would be criminal aggression Therefore. I re-
viewed these alternatives iu the light of Presi-
dent Grant's measured words, uttered in 1S7&,
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. 1 commented especially
upon the latter aspect of tin- question, pointing
out the inconveniences and positive dangers of
recognition of bslligerency. which, while
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 all Interests
concerned. The spirit of all our acts hitherto
has been an earnest, unse.tlsh desire f >r peace
and prosperity In Cuba, untarnished by diIT *r-
ences between us and Spain and unstained by
the blood of American oitiz 'lis.
The forcible int trvention 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 ground
adding to the already onerous burdens of neu- ' It involves, however, hostile constraint upon
trality within our own jurisdiction, could not
iu any way extend our influence or effective of-
tlces in the territory of hostilities. Nothing
has since occurred to change my view in this
regard, and I recognise 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
in our history from an early day. They are
well summed up in President Jackson's mes-
sage to congress. December 21. I8:W, on the sub-
ject of the recognition of independence of Tex-
as. He said: In all the contests that have
arisen out of the revolutions of France,out of the
disputes relating to the crews of Portugal and
spam, out or t no separat ion or American posses-
iion^of both from theKuropeati governments,
ind out of trie numerous und constantly occur-
ring struggles for doraiu ion in Spanish Ainer-
ca. su wisely consistent with our just principles
las been the action of our government that we
have, under the most critical circumstances,
ivoided all censure and encountered no other
jvil than that produced by a transient estrange-
ment of good will in those against whom we
have been by force of evidence compelled to
leeide. It has thus made known to the world
that the uniform policy and practice of tho
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
occasion, 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 iu
regard to Mexico herself.
Andrew- JnrkMou on Texan.
"It is true that with regard to Texas the civit
authority of Mexico has been expelled, its In-
vading army defeated, the chief of tho republic
himself captured and all pies nt power to con-
sole the newly organized government of to-
day's annihilated within it.s confines. Hut. on
tho other hand, there is in appearance at least,
an immense disparity of physical force on the
side of Texas. The Mexican republic und r
another executive Is rallying it forces under a
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 crisis could scarcely bo regarded as
consistent with that prudent reserve with
which we have hitherto held ourselves bound
to treat all similar questions. "
Thereupon Andrew Jackson procecde 1 to con-
sider the risk that there might be imputed to
the United States motives of selfish interests
in view of the former claim on our part of the
territory of Texas and of the avowed purpose
of the Texans in seeking recognition of inde-
pendence as an inci lent to th ■ 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 cavil or dispute th? 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 r< solute and
patriotic Jackson. They are evidence that the
United States, in addition to the test Imposed
by public law as the condition of tho recogni-
tion of independence by a neutral state (to-wit.
that the revolted state shall "constitute in fact
a body politic, having a government in sub-
stance as well as in nam \ possessed of the ele-
ments of stability" and forming de facto, "if
left to itself, a state among the nations, rea-
sonably capable of discharging the duties of a
state"), there was at the time no bona fide con-
test going on between the insurgent province
and its former sovereign.
I said in my message of December last. "It
is to be seriously considered whether the Cu-
ban insurrection possesses beyond dispute tho
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 rccog lizing independence is in
question, for no less positive tost can be ap-
plied to the greater act than to the lesser,
while on the other hand tho influences and
consequences of tho struggle upon the internal
policy of the recognizing state, which form im-
portant, factors wh 'n the recognition of bellig-
erency is concerned, are secondary, if not
rightly climinable factors when the real ques-
tion is whether the community claiming recog-
nition is or is not independent beyond pcrad-
venture.
Averse to Recognition.
Nor from the standpoint of expedience do 1
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
ertablo the United States fo intervene and
pacify the island. To commit 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 bo 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 r adily recognized, and tic 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 tho one party or the
other.
As to th" first, it Is not to be forgotten that
during the last few months, the relation to the
both the parties to the < o itest as well as t
force a truce as to gui ie the eventual settle-
ment.
Grounds for Intervention.
The grounds for such intervention may be
briefly summarized as follows:
l'Mrst In the cause of humanity and to put
an end 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 stop or mitigate. It is
no answer to say this is all in another country,
belonging to another nation, and is therefore
n >ne 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-
fied by the very serious injury to the commerce.
trade and business of our people ami by the
wanton destruction of property and devastation
of the island.
Fourth—And which is of the utmost impor-
tance. The present condition of affairs in Cuba
is a constant menace to our peace, and entails
upon this government, an enormous expense.
With such a conflict waged for years in an Is-
land so near us and with which our people have
such trade and business relations when the
lives and liberty of our cltiz -ns are In constant
danger and their property destroyed and them-
selves ruined-where our trading vessels are
liable to seizure and are seized at our very
door, by warships of a foreign nation, the expe-
ditions of filibustering that we are powerless
to prevent altogether, and the irritating ques-
tions and entanglements thus arising all these
and others that I need not mention, with the
rosu'ting strained relations, are a constant
menace to our peace an t compel us to ween on
a semi-war footing with a nation with which
we are at peace.
The H rock of the Pattle lilt> Maine.
These elements of danger and disorder al-
ready pointed out have been strikingly illus-
trated by a tragic event which has d ieply uud
justly moved the American people. 1 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 tilled the national
heart with inexpressible horror. Two bun-
fired 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 Cuba that
is intolerable. The condition is thus shown to
be such that the Spanish government cannot
assure safety and security to ti vessel of tho
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 2ttth ultimo, con-
taining the statement that the Spanish minis-
ter for foreign affairs assured him positively
that Spain will do all that the highest honor
and justice requires in the matter of the Maine.
The reply above referred to of theSlst ultimo
also contained an expression of the readiness
of Spain to submit to an arbitration all the
differ -noes which can arise in this matter.
which is subsequently explained by the note
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
be: ween 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 1 have made no reply.
Gen. Grant's Oninlon.
President Grant, in 187>. 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 confi-
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-i hnrdenin
dlator were tendered in got
other action by the United States will remain
to be taken. When that time comes that action
will be determined in the lino of indisputable
right and duty. It will be faced without mis-
giving or hesitancy iu 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 honorable and enduring. If it
shall hereafter appear to be a duty imposed by
our obligations to ourselves, to civilization and
humanity to intervene with force, it shall l e
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 trial has proved that the object for
which Spain has waged the war cannot be at-
tained. The tire 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 condition
which cannot longer be endured is tho enforced
pacification of Cuba. Iu 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
iu Cuba must stop.
Power Asked to Terminate llostllltlen.
In view of these facts and these considera-
tions. 1 ask the congress to authorize and em-
power the president to take measures to secure
a full termination of hostililltles between
the government of Spain and the people of
Cuba, and to secure in the island the establish-
ment of a 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
naval forces of the United States as may t e
necessary for these purposes, and in the inter-
est of humanity and to aid in preserving
the lives of the starving people of the
Island. 1 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
our citizens. The issue is now with congress,
't Is a solemn responsibility. 1 have exhaust-
ed every effort to relieve the intolerable condi-
tion of affairs which is at our doors. Prepared
to execute every obligation imposed upon mo
by the constitution and the law, I await your
ac«ion.
Yesterday and since the preparation of tho
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-
claim a suspension of hostilities, the
duration and details of which have
not yet been communicated to me.
This fact, with every other pertinent consider-
ation will. 1 am sure, have your just and care-
ful attention In the solemn deliberations upon
which you are about to enter. If this measure
attains a successful result, then our aspirations
as a Christian, peace-loving people, will be
realized. If it falls It will be only another
justification for our contemplated action.
William McKinmcx.
AUSTRALIAN MALLEE HEN.
l«nyN ller 1-Ikk* I" « Grent Mound and
(lie Kent of the Son lliitchea
Them Out.
The strangest bird known, su far as
,t.s habits are concerned, is the mallee
hen of Australia. It lays it.s eggs in a
little mound, which is really a coopera-
tive incubator, being built by innnv
pairs of birds, and serving to hatch the
eggs of all the hens. Each year the
same Hocks repair to the same mounds,
-•ome of which measure 50 yards at the
base and are 150 feet in circumference
The eggs arc deposited about six inches
below the surface. While each hen lays
her eggs in the family mound, no lien
drops her egg closer than 20 inches to
that of her neighbor. These eggs are
deposited in a cavity made by them in
<i vertical position, carefully covered,
and the surface smoothed over by the
hen before .she quits the nest, says the
Philadelphia Press.
The eggs of the mallee hen are out of
all proportion to her size. They are as
large as those of a goose, and those of
large hens are very much larger.
Tho eggs thusjlaid*and covered in this
great sand oven in the hot districts are
never again disturbed by the hens. The
eggs are hatched by the heat the sun
bakes into the soil where they lay. It
has never been known how the young
chicks are excavated from their e<rg
grave, for the eggs are deposited fully
six inches below the surface, and the
rains do not aid their exit
selfish purpose, in the interest of hum
and in sincere friendship for both partie •. but
were nt the time declined by Spain with the
declaration, nevertheless, that at a future time
they would be indispensable. No intimation
lias been received that iu the opinion of Spain
that time has been reached. And yet the strife
continues with all its dread horrors and all it>
injuries to the United States and of
other nations. Kach party seems quite
.'apable 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 th • island but they
seem incapable of reaching any adjustment
and both have thus far failed of uchi \ ing any
success wherjby one party shall possess and
control the Island to th 'exclusionof the other
I*n ier 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 tlu term.nation of tho
strife."
I'rPHident Cleveland tjuoted.
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 d monstrated that her
sovereignty is extinct in Cuba for all purposes
of its original exist nee. and when a hopeless
stru'-'g e for its re-establishment has degen-
erated into a strife which means nothing more
than the useless sacrifice of human life and fin
utter destruction of the very subject matter of
the conflict, a situation will be presented in
whieh our obligations to the sovereignty of
Spain will be superseded by higher obliga-
tions, which we can hardly h"sltate to recog-
nize and discharge."
VI r. Ale Kin ley 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 '
. without any very much.
NERVE OF A BOLD DRUMMER.
lie Compelled a Knilrond to lliiul
Hlui In n Private Cur to Sioux
Ful In. S. I).
Mis bold defiance of a railway corpo-
ration procured M. T. McNeil the honor
of a special car recently from For*
Dodge, la., to Sioux Falls, S. 1). Mc-
Neil is a Chicago traveling man. A few
days ago he bought a ticket over the
Illinois Central from Chicago to Sioux
Falls and engaged a berth in a sleeper
for the entire trip. At Fort Dodge,
however, it was decided to turn the
train around and run it back to Chi-
cago—a plan occasionally adopted
when travel is light. This compels the
Sioux Falls passengers to rise early and
change cars. McNeil was accordingly
aroused, advised as to the situation and
peremptorily required to hurry on his
el >tlies and leave the sleeper. Jlutnot
he. He would ride to Sioux Falls in
that sleeper, he declared, or go back to
Chicago with it. And then let the (Hi
nois ( entrai look out for a damage
suit. The conductor offered to pay
his passenger's hotel bill until another
sleeper arrived or do anything else in
reason to accommodate him. The trav
cling man stuck for his rights and the
officials finally wired to headquarters
for instructions,^ On orders received
from there the ear was then carried
through to Sioux Falls with McNeil its
only occupant.
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Leonard, J. R. The Norman Journal. (Norman, Okla.), Vol. 1, No. 8, Ed. 1 Friday, April 15, 1898, newspaper, April 15, 1898; Norman, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc122973/m1/3/: accessed April 26, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.