The silver star., 1897-12-09
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
FINANCIAL QUESTION AND CUBA DISCUSSED.
Recommended that Gold Notes Only be Paid Out for Cold
Banks Should be Allowed Issue to the Limit Of Their
Bond Deposits Spain but Wants to Give Her
Another Chance Still Hopes for Some Result Of the VOL
cot Commissions Work

IL we are TO have an eril of prosper
ity we may feel no embarrassment
from our present currency. but the
danger still exists and will be ever
present menacing us 80 long as the ex-
listing system continues.
concur with the secretary of the
treasury that national banks be allow
Gu 10 issue notes to the face value of
the bonds they have deposited and thnt
'he TAX on circulating notes secured by
such deposits he reduced to One-half of
per cent. per annum. Also that the
authority be given for the establish
ment of national banks with a mini
mum capital of $25,O0O to enable all
regions to he supplied with currency
to meet their needs.
1 recommend that the issue of ma
tiOnai bank notes be restricted to the
denominations of $40 and upward. If
these suggestions l have made shall
nave the approval of Congress then l
would recommend that national banks
be required to redeem their notes in
gold.
Spain and the Cuban Rebellion.
The most important problem with
which this government is now called
upon to deal pertaining to its foreign
relations concerns its duty toward
Spain and the Cuban insurrection.
Problems and conditions more or less
in common with these now existing
have confronted this government at
various times in the past. The story
of Cuba for many years has been one
OF unrest and growing discomfort. an
effort toward Il larger enjoyment of
liberty and self-control, of organized
rnS fS.t,
depression after distress and warfare
and of settlement to be followed by
continual revolt. For no enduring
period since the enfranchisement of
the continental possessions of Spain in
the Western continent has the cOndi-
tion of Cuba or the policy of Spain to-
ward Cuba not caused concern in the
United States.
The prospect from time to time that
the weakness of Spain's hold upon the
island and the political vlcissitudes
and cmbarrassinents of the home gov
ernment might lead TO the transfer of
Cuba to continental power called
forth between 1899 and 1860 various
| emphatic declarations of the policy of
the United States to permit no dis
, turbance with Cuba and Spain unless
III the direction of Independence or ac-
QUESTION by us through purchase. nor
has there been any change of this de-
clnred policy since upon the part of
the government. The revolution which
began in 1868 lasted for ten years, de-
spite the strenuous efforts of the sue
cessive peninsula governments to sup
press 1t. Then, as now. the United
States testified Its grave concern AMI
offered It's aid to put an end TO blood
shed In Cuba. The overtures made by
President Grant We're refused and II
was dragged on. entailing great loss of
life and treasure and increased injury
to American interests. besides throw
ing enhanced burdens OF neutrality
upon this government.
The present insurrection broke out in
February, 1895. II is not my purpose
mt this time to recall Its remarkable in
crease. or to characterize its tenacious
| resistance against the enormous forces
massed against it by Spain. The re-
volt. and the efforts to subdue 1t, car.
ried destruction to every quarter of
the Island. developing wide propor-
tions and defying the efforts of Spain
for Its suppression. The civilized code
of war has been dlsrcgnrled no less by
the Spaniards than by the Cubans.
The existing conditions cannot hui
fill this government and the American
people with the gr;lycst apprehension
There In no desire to profit by the mis-
fortunes of Spain. We have only the
desire that the Cuhans be prosperous
| and cOntentcd. enjoying that measure
| OF self-cOntrOl which IL the Inalienn-
BILE right of man. protected In their
rights to reap the benefit OF the ex-
hnustlcss treasures OF their country.
The offer made by my predecessor
In April. 1890. rendering the friendly
offices of this government. failed, and
mediation on our part was not accept
ed. In brief, the answer read: There
IL no cffectual way to pncify Cuba I'M
less II begins with the actual subnis-
sion Of the rebels TO the mother coun-
try"
Then only could Spain net In the
promised direction OF her own motion
ana after her own plans.
| The cruel policy OF concentration
was Initiated February 10, 1SDj. The
productive districts controlled by the
Spanish armies were deprecated. the
agricultural Inhabitants were hor,Ied
In and about gnrrls0ned towns. their
lnnds hid wnste. and their dwellings
destroyed. This policy the late cabi-
net or Slniln Justified ms II necessary
measure OF wnr and ns u means Of cut
ting or supplies from the Insurgents
II Inns utterly fniled as II war measure.
II was not civilized warfare. II was
! determination.
Instructions Given tn Minister woosisortl.
Against the abuse of the rights OF
the war hnve felt constrained on re-
Inatcd occasions to en;er the firm and
earicst protest Of this government.
There was much Of public contIcnnn.
tIon OF the treatment Of American citI.
xens by alleged illegal arrests md long
imprisonment nwnitlng trial. felt my
first duty to mike instant demands for
the relense Of American citizens under
arrest. Before the change Of the Span
lsh Cabinet IN October lnst. twenty-five
4, prisoners. citizens Of the United States.
Ind been given their freedom.
The instructions given to our new
minister to spaln before his departure
10 his post. directed him to Impress up.
on that government the sincere wish