LAD #18- McKinley’s War Message

In 1895, the Cuban people revolted against their Spanish rulers. The United States took a policy of neutrality, but sent a letter to Madrid demanding the Spanish to cease all fighting and grant Cuba an armistice. The United States, headed by President McKinley, were on the side of the Cubans. McKinley gave a speech to Congress stating that the state of affairs in Cuba was hurting the Untied States’ economy. Trade was suffering, and the property of Americans based in Cuba was lost. However, a clear victory was not probable. The grounds to the agreement settled upon by the United States was that this was of the utmost importance to the United States because Cuba geographically was located so close to the United States. Also, the United States owes tit to the Cuban people for their right to the pursuit of happiness, and that the current conditions in Cuba were limiting their legal protection. Also, the United States was given a right to intervene, for it was hurting the United States directly, for their trade and commerce was suffering. Also, as stated before, the conditions faced by Cuba were in such close proximity to the United States that they could not be ignored. The destruction of the American ship the Maine, showed the destruction of the brutality affecting the United States, as we were neutral and our ships were being harmed. The United States also wanted a stable government to be pronounced in Cuba, and the United States stated that it would continue to give food and aid to the Cuban people, for at that time, it was lacking. President McKinley then handed the issue over to Congress after he clearly stated his pro-action approach.