The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-12-08

ernment-Importance of Nicarnu-
u gan Canal a. Gratifying Treasury
Gt Conditions.
~ Washington Dec. 6-The presidents
message was delivered to congress yes
Iterday, and is one of the most important
documents coming from an executive i'll
recent years: EG9
TO the Senate and House of Represent
81 tatives = @.s--
rendered necessary by the war. our people
Iejoice in a very satisfactory and steadily
INCREASING degree of prosperity, evidenced
recorded. Manufacture has been pro-
lductiye, agricultural pursuits have yield
ed abundant returns, labor in all fields of
industry is better rewarded; revenue leg
Itslation passed by the present congress
has increased the treasury's receipts to
5 tfhe amount estimated by its authors; the
FINANCES Of the government have been
successfully administered and it's credit
advanced to the first rank; while its cur
Irency has been maintained at the worlds
highest standard. Military service under
r. common flag and for a righteous cause
mas sI s5rengthened the national spirit and
Eof the country" 49,.
up to the war With Spain, tie president
takes up the thread of narrative where it
terminated in his ais. last annual message.
He concluded: 1T was honestly duo to
our friendly relations with Spain that she
SHOULD be given a reasonable chance to
trealze her expectations of reform to
(Which she had become irrevOcably COM
United ... ~ ~
1t became evident, however, that the
proposed plans were barren of good re-
suits No tangible relief was afforded the
lreconcentrados. among whom the rate Of
mortality frightfully increased; the prof
proved illusory; and it was apparent that
I9othing save the physical exhaustion Of
an of or the the ssn6 o en6 the eea fsi
from the struggle then in progress.
corning it, the president says.
1T is a striking evidence of the ooise
and sturdy good sense MISUNDERSTANDING our
national character, that this unlooRed-for
ready deeply. touched by preceding events
in Cuba, did not move them to an in
tstant desperate resolve to tolerate no
t1onger the existence of a condition Of dan
tger and disorder at our doors that made
Wrought
Resunning the war narrative, the presi-
dent directs attention to the measures, in
tcluding the $5O000,0o appropriation for
national defense, taken to place the coun-
try on war footing, and adds: 1T is
When It did 1H eo 5ha fdn tine or
I lunprepared to meet the conflict
reference is made to the apprehension
ers, voiced in the address to the president
lthrough their ambassadors. and envoys.
to the b reply 6t Soae Sun
peaceful solution Of the dihicullty, and
tobeying the dictates of duty, the president
Sert 11nG anGs Ss sPefa
tions with the Madrid government proved
futile, SO far as practical results were
nH md vxyhn
scented the question to congress, saying:
In the name of humanity, in the name
IN behalf of endangeTsd
right and duty to speak, and to act, the
WAR in Cuba must STOP
The Declaration of War
: The result of this statement of the case
was the adoption Of the memorable joint
resolution by congress. declaring the pur-
pose Of the United States to intervene be-
tween the Spanish and Cubans. Follow
ing swiftly upon the enactment of the res
folution came the severance of diploma tic
|relatlons between the two countries the
Iproclama ton of a blockade of Cuban
ports, the calling for volunteers and the
formal declaration of the existence of a
state OF war. All other governments
were Immediately notified of the existence
OF war, and each proclaimed neutrality
1T Is not among the least gratifying in
Clients idei OF the struggle, that the ,obliga-
Z
Enlarged by all, often under most delicate
and ID, difficult circumstances
The ne president reviews at length the
particularly to the enlistment of the vol
lunteers; to the material increase of the
navy in both men and ships and to the
precautionary measures taken for the
citiss 80. '.'' '' ''''
was 1885, in the principal harbors. from
Maine to California.
Ksferrpg to 5P tire acult 2na Important
signal corps, the president says:
This service was invaluable to the ex-
ecutive in directing 1 the operations of the
over 1000. the loss was by disease, in
camp e and field, officers and men included,
AS to the authorized loan of 5000, 900 900,
which was taken entirely by small bid
ders, the president says:
This was most encOura ging and sig
,n1fcant result. showing the vast resources
of the nation and the determination of the
people to uphold their country's honor
~ It is not within the province of this
message to narrate the history of the ex-
Itraordinary war that followed the Spanish
Icital Of its more salient features is APP
Ipropriate. The first encounter of the war
i'm, point OF date took place April 9th,
y when detachment of the blockadng
d squadron made a reconnaissance in force
lat MatanZas. shelled the harhor forts and
ldemonshed severn. new works in con-
al The next engagement was destined to
mark memorable epoch in maritime war
fare. The Pacific fleet under Commodore
Hong Kong. Upon the colonial pr clama-
ton os OF neutrality being issued and the
ing given it repaired 10 Mrs Bay, near
Hong Kong. whence it proceeded to the
philippine islands under telegraphed or
Spanish feet then assembled at Manila.
At daybrcak on the LIST of MAY the
American forces entered Manila bay, and
latter a few hours engageT- ent ERECTED
the total destruction of the Spanish fleet.
consisting of ten warships and a trans
port, besides capturing the naval station