Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-12-12
HE MESSAGE.
Presid emit C1eve1and's Letter to the
Fifty-FoUrth Congress-
An Exhaustive Review of Our Domestic and
Foreign Afairs-Prompt and Radical
Financial Legislation Recommended
Work OF the Departments.

WASHINGTON, Dec THE Fifty
Fourth congress assem- bled for the short
session at noon to-day. Soon after
committees from the house and
senate waited on the president and in
formed him that they were ready. to
receive any communication he might
have to make. The president then
sent to congress the following message:
To the Congress of the United States:
As representatives of the people in the legis-
tative branch Of their government you have as
sembled at a time when the strength ana e1-
seIIeace Of our free institutions and the fitness
Of our citizens to enjoy popular rule have been
again made manifest a political contest in
goIving momentous consequences. fraught
with feverish apprehension and creating ag-
zreSsiveness intense as TO approach bitter
aess and passion. has been waged throughout
our land and determined by the decree of free
and independent suffrage, without disturbance
nj tranquility or the least sign OF weakness
In our national structure Wnen we consider
these incidents and contem plate the peaceful
obedience and manly submission which have
succeeded heated clash OF political opinions
re discover abundant evidence of a determi-
aation on the part of our countrymen to abide
6y every verdict of the popular viii and to be
controlled at all times by an abiding faith In
the agencies established for the direction OF
she affairs of their government Thus our peo-
pie exhibit a patriotic disposition which en-
titles them to demand OF those who undertake
to make and execute their laws such faithful
and unselfish service in their behalf as can
only be prompted by serious appreciation of
of public duty invites. In obedience to a con-
stitutional requirement herein submit to the
congress certain information concerning ma
tional affairs. with the suggestion of such leg
tsIatiol in my Judgment is necessary and
expedient- To secure brevity and avoid tire
some narration, 1 shall omit many details con-
cerning matters within federal control which.
though by means uninportant are more
profitaoly discussed in departmental reports
L shall also curtau this communication by
emitting minute recital of many minor incl
foreign
which have hitherto found place in executive
messages, but are now contained in a report of
the secretary of state, which is herewith sub
a1itted
The Armenian Question.
st the outset of a reference to more impor-
tant matters affecting our relations with foreign
powers it would afford satisfaction if
could assure The congress that the disturbed
condition of Asiatic Turkey had during the
past year assumed a less hideous and bloody
aspect and that either a consequence of the
awakening of the Turkish government to the
demands of human civilization. or as the re-
suit OF decisive action on the part of the great
nations having the right by treaty to interfere
FOR the protection of those exposed to the rage
of mere bigotry and cruel fanaticiSm. the
shocking features of the situation had been
mitigated- Instead. however. OF welcoming a
Softening disposition or protective interview
zion, have been afflicted by continued and
not uufreQuent reports of the wanton destruc-
tton of homes and the bloody butchery OF men,
women and children, made martyrs to their
profession of Christian faith While none of
killed or wounded. though often in the midst
of dreadful scenes of danger. their safety in
Che future is by means assured Our gov
crnment at home and our minister at Constan-
tinople have left nothing undone to protect our
missionaries in Ottoman territory. who constf
sute nearly all the individuals residing there
who have right to claim our protection on
she Of American citizenship
Several naval vessels are stationed in the Med
&terranean Il measure of caution and to fur
'rish all possible relief and refuge in case of
Turkish government for the pillage and de-
structon OF missionary property Harpool
and Marasn during uprisings at those places
The Insurrection in Cuba.
The insurrection in Cuba still continues with
ali it's perplexitieS It is difficult to perceive
shat any progress has thus far been made to-
wards the pacihcltion of the island or that the
situation of affairs de picted in my last
aual message has in the least improved If
5pain still holds Havana and the seaports and
all considerable towns, the insurgents still
roam will at least two-thirds of the in
land country. If the determination of Spain
80 put down the inSurrection seems but to
evidenced by her understanding devotion
IF largely increased military and naval
forces to the task, there is much
son to believe that the insurgents have gained
Il point of numbers. and character, and
resources, and are none the less infiexible in
their resolve not to succumb. without practi-
.aIIy securing the great project for which they
took up arms. If Spain has not yet re-estab-
GShed her authority. neither have the insur-
as an independent state Indeed. as the con-
test has gone on, the preteuse that civil gov
crnment exists on the island except so far
Spain is able to maintain it. has been Or Icti-
caily abandoned. Spain does keep on foot such
q government, more or less imperfectly, in the
large towns and their immediate suburbs
But. that exception being made. the entire
country is either given to
8Cchy is subject to the mill
cary occupation of the other
party. 1t is reported. indeed reliable au-
1uority that. at the demand of the commander
Sn-chicf of the insurgent army. the putative
Cuban government has now given up all at
tempt To exercise it's functions. leaving that
government confeSSeily (what there is the
best reason for suppoSing it always to have
been in facD government merely on paper.
Were the Spanish armies able to meet their
antagonists in the open, in pitched battle.
prompt and decisive results might be
booked for and the immense superiority
of the Spanish forces in numbers,
discipline and equipment could hardly
fail to tell greatly to their advantage.
But they are called upon to face foe that
shuns general engagements that choose
and does choose its own ground. that from the
nature of the country is visible or invisible at
pleasure and that fights only from ambuscade
and when all the advantages of position and
Sauusbers its side. In country where
all that is Indispensable to life in the way of
food. clothing and shelter is easily obtain
able especially by those born and bred the
soil it is obvious that there is hardly limit
che time during which hostilities of this sort
unay be prolonged Meanwhile, in all
cases Of protracted civil strife, the pas
Is5ons OF the combatants grow more and
inf1amed and excuses both sides
become more frequent and more deplorable.
They also participated in by bands OF
marauders. who now in the name of one party
and now in the name of the other as may best
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