LAD #22: McKinley's War Message

     McKinley's War Message was written in response to the Cuban revolution against Spain, a conflict that McKinley desperately wanted to end.  In his letter to Congress, he addresses his resentment towards this battle which has been occurring for over half a century and required the United States to continuously enforce its neutrality laws, greatly angering the citizens.  The war has had many negative impacts on the United States economy, especially impairing trade.  He encourages Congress to end the war through either a reasonable compromise or even an endorsement of one particular side.  McKinley determines that he would most likely side against Cuba, in effort to end their hostile actions but prefers to go forward with a more neutral approach.  He first must recognize the Cubans rights of life and property protection.  The U.S. is then called to bring an end to hostilities that threaten our own country, which is in a reasonably close proximity.  Since the two nations are so interdependent from an economic and political standpoint, it is the duty of the United States to ease the problems with Cuba.  Congress, however, must determine the final decision to appease this problem.