221 THE 9TH REGIMENT LEAVING NEW YORK FOR IHE FRONT.

CHAPTER VII.

AMERICA IN TERV E NIs S.

citizens everywhere. Our diplomacy should seek nothing more, and accept nothing less, than what is due. The United States want no wars of conquest,andmust avoid the temptation of territorialaggrandisement. War should nevei iiz intercdupon untilevery agency dj peace Jails. Peace is preferable to war in almost every contingency" The message went on to speak of arbitration as the means of settling diplomatic disputes. The strong pronouncement on Cuba which main, o) Mr. McKinley's supporters, had looked11>r was conspicuous by its absence.

Nevertheless, the President tookcertain steps which indirectly helped the Cuban can G ral Fitzhugh Lee, a son of the great ial of the Confederate armies, was sent lo tna as United States Con > neral. Lee was known to be a war, ■*! of Cuban freedom. General Woodford, a soldier-diplomatist, was sens ient the United States at Madrid,and his instructions were to urge on the Spanish Government, in a friendly way, the PRESIDENT McKINLEY assumed office on March 4th, 1897. His inaugural Iress contained a remarkable pa which may be quoted here on account of the light it throws upon his subsequent action in the anxious days when the question of peace or war trembled in the balance:"It has been the policy of the United States," he said, "since the foundation of the government, to cultivate relationsof peace and amity with all nations. This accords with my conception of duty. Now, we ha* e cherished the policy of non-interference in B lirs oi foreign countries wisely inaugurated by Washington, keeping free from entanglement either as allies or foes, and being content to leaveundisturbed with them the settlement of their own domestic concerns. It will be my aim to pursue a firm and dignified foreign policy, which shallbe just and impartial, ever watchfulof the national honour, and always insisting upon the enforcement of the lawful rights of American D« h ■ thi