In 1895, the Cubans revolted against their Spanish rulers, starting a war that the United States would stay neutral to for three years until it gave Madrid and ultimatum that the fighting stop or else. Though the Spanish said they would cease fighting, war spirit flared up in the US and they joined on the side of Cuba.
McKinley first speaks of the affect the war has had on the American people in their attempt to stay neutral. It has hurt trade and investments. He then goes on to say that as the war is going now, it would have to end in either the exhaustion or destruction of one side or the other, which could take immeasurable time. Thus he proposes that the United States intervene either as a mediator or an active ally of one side or the other, and rules out the mediator rule as attempts have been made at it in vain. Then he justifies acting as an active ally as stopping the bloodshed, protecting Americans and their interests in Cuba, and responding to a potential threat to the United States.
McKinley then uses the destruction of the battleship Maine as an example of how bad the situation has become in Cuba. Spain wants what it can never truly have now that Cuba has shown such determination in rebellion, but they will continue a senseless war unless the United States stops it, says McKinley, and he asks Congress' approval of an alliance with Cuba. He hopes that the ultimatum given to Spain succeeds in their giving up the fight, but if not, it is just another justification for entering the war.
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