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Editorial
February 28, 1897
The Morning News
Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia
What is this article about?
The editorial anticipates that President-elect McKinley's policy on Cuba will mirror Cleveland's, focusing on protecting American interests without recognizing Cuban independence or granting belligerent rights to insurgents, emphasizing cautious diplomacy over aggressive actions.
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Within a few days Mr. McKinley will be President. Will his policy in respect to Cuba be different from that of Mr. Cleveland?
There is no reason for thinking it will be different in any important particular. Mr. McKinley does not favor recognizing the independence of Cuba. because he does not believe there is any other government in the island than that of Spain. He does not believe in granting the insurgents belligerent rights, because the insurgents would not be benefitted to any great extent and Spain would be relieved of her obligations to American citizens who have great interests in Cuba.
Mr. McKinley believes in protecting American interests and American rights. So does Mr. Cleveland. It is claimed that Mr. McKinley will be more aggressive in demanding the release of American citizens arrested by Spaniards on suspicion of aiding the insurgents. If he does his duty fairly and looks out for the interests of his own country he will take no aggressive step until he is sure he is right. He will not peremptorily demand the release of every man arrested for violating the laws of Spain who claims he is an American citizen. He will first find out whether or not the claimant is entitled to the good offices of the American government. If the claimant is he will get the protection he asks. If he isn't he will not. That is the course Mr. Cleveland has pursued, and that is the course Mr. McKinley will pursue if he acts with judgment and discretion. To retain the respect of the nations and the support of the American people he must be sure he is right before he takes a step calculated to invite trouble.
The fault that the hot heads find with Mr. Cleveland is that he will not assume that Spain is always in the wrong and act upon that assumption. The same fault will be found with Mr. McKinley. The man in the white house with the responsibility for the welfare of the whole republic resting upon him is not as free to act in accordance with his sympathies as a senator is to threaten war whenever a dispatch from some irresponsible source declares that an American citizen has suffered an indignity at the hands of Spain.
There is no reason for thinking it will be different in any important particular. Mr. McKinley does not favor recognizing the independence of Cuba. because he does not believe there is any other government in the island than that of Spain. He does not believe in granting the insurgents belligerent rights, because the insurgents would not be benefitted to any great extent and Spain would be relieved of her obligations to American citizens who have great interests in Cuba.
Mr. McKinley believes in protecting American interests and American rights. So does Mr. Cleveland. It is claimed that Mr. McKinley will be more aggressive in demanding the release of American citizens arrested by Spaniards on suspicion of aiding the insurgents. If he does his duty fairly and looks out for the interests of his own country he will take no aggressive step until he is sure he is right. He will not peremptorily demand the release of every man arrested for violating the laws of Spain who claims he is an American citizen. He will first find out whether or not the claimant is entitled to the good offices of the American government. If the claimant is he will get the protection he asks. If he isn't he will not. That is the course Mr. Cleveland has pursued, and that is the course Mr. McKinley will pursue if he acts with judgment and discretion. To retain the respect of the nations and the support of the American people he must be sure he is right before he takes a step calculated to invite trouble.
The fault that the hot heads find with Mr. Cleveland is that he will not assume that Spain is always in the wrong and act upon that assumption. The same fault will be found with Mr. McKinley. The man in the white house with the responsibility for the welfare of the whole republic resting upon him is not as free to act in accordance with his sympathies as a senator is to threaten war whenever a dispatch from some irresponsible source declares that an American citizen has suffered an indignity at the hands of Spain.
What sub-type of article is it?
Foreign Affairs
What keywords are associated?
Cuba Policy
Mckinley
Cleveland
Spain
Insurgents
American Interests
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Mckinley
Mr. Cleveland
Spain
Insurgents
American Citizens
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Mckinley's Expected Cuba Policy Compared To Cleveland's
Stance / Tone
Cautious And Protective Of American Interests
Key Figures
Mr. Mckinley
Mr. Cleveland
Spain
Insurgents
American Citizens
Key Arguments
Mckinley's Cuba Policy Will Not Differ Significantly From Cleveland's
No Recognition Of Cuban Independence As Only Spanish Government Exists
No Granting Of Belligerent Rights To Insurgents To Avoid Benefiting Them Or Relieving Spain's Obligations
Protection Of American Interests And Rights
Aggressive Demands For Release Of Arrested Americans Only After Verifying Citizenship
Avoid Assuming Spain Is Always Wrong
Presidential Caution Due To National Responsibility