Connecticut western news., 1896-12-10

HIS ANNUAL MESSAGE THE PRESIDENT SENDS HIS FAREWELL
 EPlSTLE TO CONGRESS. The Cuban Rebellion the Principal Topic
 Discussed-Time No. Yet Ripe, He Says,
 For Our rntervention-Spain Warned
 That Hostilities Must Soon Cease.
 WASHINGTON, Dec. 2. - The United States began the second session of the Eff ty fourth congress with crowded galleries and with that accompaniment of activity and of greeting that usually attends the of congress. But the upper branch of congress never puts aside it's dignity, and the meeting developed no or dramatic incidents. The reading of the presidents message was the feature of the proceedings, and beyond this, no attempt was made to enter upon the business of the session. To many of the foreign representatives occupying the diplomatic gallery the message had special interest and significance owing to the part they mad taken in the conspicuous foreign events to which the president referred
 While the scenes attending the opening of the house were both brilliant and inter esting in the crowds that thronged the galleries and the conspicuous personages present, the proceedings themselves were dull and spiritless, being distinctively routine
 The house met, the chaplain invoked the divine blessing on the work of the session, the roll was called, a committee consisting of MT. Cannon of Illinois, Mir. Payne of New York and Mir. Turner of Georgia was appointed to wait on the president, and the latter's annual communication was read. The reading consumed about two hours. It was Mir. Cleveland's farewell and there was much curiosity as to his views on Cuba especially, but there was no demonstration, either of approval or dissent throughout its reading. The holiday nature of the opening season was saddened by the announcement of the death of ex-Speaker Crisp, which Mir. Tur- ner of Georgia formally made to his asso- ciates- Out of respect to the memory of the distinguished Georgian, the house, after adopting appropriate resolutions, im- mediately adjourned.
 The Presidents Message.
 The most vital topic in the presidents message and the one of most general inter est is the Cuban question: The situation in Cuba and our relations with Spain are reviewed at length, but the president does not think the time has yet arrived for in- tervention on the part of this country or the recognition of the insurgents as bel ligerents. He says:
 Ut is difficult to perceive that any progress has thus far been made toward the pacifcation of the island or that the situation of affairs as depicted in my last l~.~, To- If Spain still holds Havana and the sea- ports and all the considerable towns, the insurgents still roam at will over at least two thirds of the inland country. If the of Spain to put down the insurrection seems but to strengthen with the lapse of time and is evinced by her unhesitating devotion of lar5ely increased and naval forces to the task, there Is much reason to believe that the insur- gents have gained in point of numbers and character and resources and are none the less inflexible in their resolve not to sue cumb without practically securing the great objects for which they took up arms. If Spain has not yet re established her au thority, neither have the insurgents yet made good their title to be regarded as an independent state. Indeed, as the contest has gone on, the pretense that civil gov ernment exists on the island, except so far as Spain is able to maintain it, has been practically abandoned. Spain does keep on foot such government, more or less imperfectly, in the large towns and their immediate suburbs D
 Favor. Autonomy For Cuba.
 After referring to the political grievances of the Cubans the president says:
 Ut is in the assumed temper and dispo- sition of the Spanish government to reme- dy these grievances, fortified by indications of influential public opinion in Spain, that this government has hoped to discover the most promising and effective means of composing the present strife with honor and advantage to Spain and with the achievement of all the reasonable objects of the insurrection. It would seem that if Spain should offer to Cuba genuine autonomy-a measure of home rule which, while preserving the sovereignty of Spain, would satisfy all rational requirements of her spanish subjects-there should be no just reason why the pacifcation of the island might not be effected on that basis
 "Such a result would appear to be in the true interest of all concerned It would at once stop the conflict which is now con- suming the resources of the island and making it worthless for whichever party may ultimately prevail" "
 Referring to the efforts of the adminis- tration to bring about a cessation of hos tilities, the president says:
 Ut was intimated by this government to the government of Spain some months ago that, if satisfactory measure of home rule were rendered the Cuban insurgents and would be accepted by them upon guarantee of its exoution, the United SfafaS yEOJld andaavnr fn ind nt objectionable to Spain of furnishing such guarantee. While no definite response to this intimation has yet been received from the Spanish government, 1t is believed to be not altogether unwelcome, while, as al- ready suggested, no reason is perceived why it should not be approved by the in- surgents.
 Neither party can fail to see the impor- tance of early action, and both must realize that to prolong the present state of things for even short period will add enormous ly to the time and labor and expenditure necessary to bring about the industrial recuperation of the island.
 "It is therefore fervently hoped on all grounds that earnest efforts for healing the breach between Spain and the insur gent Cubans upon the lines above indi- :ated may be at once inaugurated and flushed to an immediate and successful Issue.
 Our Friendly Offers.
 "The friendly offices of the United States, either in the manner above out lined or in any other way consistent with our constitution and laws, will always be at the disposal of either party.
 Whatever circumstances may arise, our policy and our interests would constrain