upon humanity, but a hideous breach of international law; that the Maine had been blown up by the Spanish Government; and that, anyway, Cuba was to be freed regardless of circumstances, and by war, no matter what anybody said.
This fact must be kept in mind. It was thoroughly understood by all hands, the efforts for a peaceful solution hinged upon preventing McKinley's giving Congress its head. And so all discussion finally centred upon whether he was or was not to send a message of this sort.
Granting that the war was of great benefit to Spain, Cuba, and the United States, as well as an indispensable step both in the development of this country as a World Power, and in the establishment of a new sense of international comity based upon justice and "the decent respect for the opinion" of mankind, as well as "National Interest," it must be admitted that, in his diplomatic action, McKinley showed none of the executive strength and con-
