LAD #22

McKinley's War Message

In 1895, the Cuban people revolted and the US stayed neutral but the fighting could not go on any longer.  The American minister to Spain relayed that the Spanish government was prepared to stop.  But two days later McKinley spoke to Congress pleading with them to do something to stop the war in Cuba leading them to eventually enter the war on April 19th.  McKinley begins by stating his duty as president to inform Congress of prevalent information.  It has been a struggle for the US to remain neutral through all of Cuba's suffering.  The US has had to face economic hardship because of the fighting.  The war in Cuba cannot be won unless one side is destroyed and the US obviously does not want to see that happen.  Before McKinley had said that the US had 4 options, recognize the Cubans as belligerents, recognize Cuba as independent, try to bring up a compromise or enter the war on one side.  Although President Grant believed recognition of Cuban independence was impracticable, recognition of belligerence would be worse.  Both of these then are not of use.  So either the US should intervene as a neutral or as an ally to one side.  The US has been using friendly intervention for a while now but it would be difficult in Cuba.  But Americans can support this intervention with our need to put an end to such terrible atrocities in the name of humanity.  The US has an obligation to protect such a small country legally.  Also US commerce has been affected.  Lastly and most importantly, the affairs in Cuba are a constant menace to American peace and is a constant threat to our government and people.  The destruction of the battleship Maine is a reminder of this threat.  The only hope is an end to fighting in Cuba.  So McKinley asks Congress to authorize him to take action in Cuba for the interest of humanity.  It is now in the hands of the Congress and without this the fighting will most likely destroy more.