LAD #22 McKinley's War Message

Conflict in Cuba arose, and the United States plus McKinley recognized that action would need to be taken. They sent a diplomat to Madrid where the Spanish agreed to adhere to US wishes. McKinley did not trust that Spain would hold true to the agreement so he delivered a message to Congress explaining why intervention with the military was crucial in Cuba.
He began by addressing the issue, Spain had been fighting Cuba for many years and it was getting out of control. It was necessary that the US come in and protect the neighboring islands from foreign control. Americans also had invested a lot of capital into Cuba which was now at risk.
They wanted to maintain neutrality, but it was difficult to "sit back and watch". McKinley wanted to avoid war, favoring peaceful non-militaristic approaches.
If the US had to intervene, conditions were established.
1. Put an end to barbarities, bloodshed, and starvation existing in Cuba.
2. Owe it to citizens in Cuba to afford them protection and indemnity for life and property.
3. Can intervene because American trade, commerce, and business has been destroyed and affected (rebels burned sugar cane plantations).
4. There are atrocities Spain has inflicted upon the US in different means.

Incidents had previously occurred against the US from Spain due to the fighting. He ends with saying that Congress needs to terminate the hostilities between Spain and Cuba for the interest of humanity.