Cuba revolted against Spain. The US remained neutral at the start. Later in the war, they decided to end the conflict in Cuba. They sent them an order to stop the fighting, and the Spanish government accepted it. President McKinley doesn’t mention this until the very end of his speech.
The war in Cuba has been going on for far too long, and there are obvious similarities to other uprisings that have occurred in Cuba against Spain. Each of these has involved the US in some way, despite their neutrality. The US has suffered, especially in trade, as a result of the war in Cuba.
President McKinley cites a previous address in which he decided to hold onto morality and not get involved in the war, but at the time of this address he chooses to review that decision. He continues to try to justify the US’s involvement. Neutrality cannot bring peace in this case. The President discusses the US’s previous relationship with Cuba, which was generally good. The US’s intervention is designed only to force a truce, not escalate the fighting.
McKinley summarizes the grounds for intervention as follows:
First. Humanistic- end death, disease, starvation
Second. Offer protection to the weaker party in a war for independence
Third. Lots of destruction in the war.
Fourth. Anything that affects the United States in terms of trade or foreign affairs.
McKinley talks about the tragedy associated with the Maine, and uses it as another cause to intervene. He places no blame for this destruction except on the fighting itself. But the destruction of the Maine shows that the fighting in Cuba is affecting the United States and therefore must stop.
McKinley does not believe that Spain’s cause for starting the war could ever be achieved.
McKinley asks Congress to empower him to intervene in Cuba with United States military and naval power.
He asks that Congress continue to help the people of Cuba through a poverty-stricken time, and officially hands the issue over to Congress.
McKinley then reveals that Spain had already suspended hostilities in Cuba. He then expresses warnings and hope for the upcoming negotiations.
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