The Mena star., 1898-12-07
LAWMAKERS
The Presidents Annual Message Upon the Assembling of Congress.
History of the Recent War and It's Results Dweit Upon Naval and War Heroes Given Great Prai4e- Reform
 in the Currency.

WaSnlnRtOn, Dec D. 5.-PreSldent Nc Kinley sent the following message to the Fifty-tfth congress after he had been informed by committees that the senate and house awaited any com munication he wished to make to them:
 To the Senate and House of Representatlves:
 Notwithstanding the added burdens rendered necessary by the war; our people rejoice in very satisfactory and steadily increasing de- gree of prosperity evidenced by the largest volume of business ever recorded Every man ufacture has been productive. agricultural pur- suits have yielded abundant returns, labor in the fields of industry is better rewarded, rev. enue legislation passed by the present congress has increased the treasury's receipts to the amount estimated by it's authorities, the finances of the government have been suc- cessfully administrated and It's credit advanced to the first rank, while it's currency has been maintained at the worlds highest standard Military service under a common flag and for righteous cause has strengthened the national spirit and served to cement more closely than ever the fraternal bonds between every section of the country.
 The president here takes up the his tory of the Cuban insurrection, the failure of Spain to successfully cope with affairs in the island and the un- successful efforts of this country for peaceful solution of the matter. He refers to the destruction of the battle ship Maine, Ia catastrophe the sus- picious nature and horror of which stirred this nations heart profoundly" The initiatorv steps leading up to the war are recounted, the unanimity of congress in passing needed legislation 4- &1, <s and the facts regarding the declara- tion of war are told anew. The presi- dent then recites the salient features of the war paying a glowing tribute to America's heroes on land and sea; refers to Dewey's remarkable victory at Manila, to the military movements in Cuba and finally to the destruction of Cervera's fleet and the equalization of Santiago Continuing, he says:
 Spanish Overtures for Peace.
 The annihation of Admiral Cervera's fleet, followed by the equalization of Santiago hav- ing brought tc .he Spanish government rea,, izine sense of the hopelessness Of continuing struggle now becoming wholly unequal, it made overtures of peace through the French ambassador. Accordingly, on the afternoon of August F, M Cambon. as the plenipotentary of Spain and the secretary of state, as the plenipotentiary of the United States, signed protocol
 Immediately upon the conclusion of the pro- tocol, issued proclamation of August F, suspending hoStilities on the part of the United States The necessary orders to that end were at once given by telegraph The blockade of the ports of Cuba and San Juan de Porto Rico was in like manner raised, On August l8 the muster out of loo, u0o volunteers or as near that number as was found to be practicable was 1sts tend the evacuation of Cuba. Porto Rico and the adjacent islands were forthwith appointed.
 The Peace Commission.
 Pursuant to the fifth article of the protocol I appointed William R. Day lately secretary of state Cushman K. Davis, William r. Frye and George Gray, senators of the United States, and Whitelaw Reid to be the peace commits sioners on the part of the United States Pro- ceeding in due season to Paris they there met on the lst of October five commissioners similarly appointed on the part of Spain. The negotiations have made hopeful progress, so that trust soon to be able to lay definite treaty of peace before the senate with re. view of the steps leading to it's signature
 Military Governments for a Time.
 I do not discuss at this time the government or the future Of the new possessions which will come to us the result of war with Spain. Such a discussion will be appropriate after the treaty of peace shall be ratified In the mean Oth1r- wise. it will be my duty to continue the mil- occupation and give it's people security in life and property and encouragement under 0 just and benefcent rule
 The Nicaragua Canal Commission.
 The Nicaragua canal commission, under the championship Of Rear Admiral John c. Walker, appointed July 24, 1897. act of June of that year, has nearly completed it's labors, and the results of it's exhaustive inquiry into the proper route, the feasibility, and the cost of construction of an inter-oceanc canal by Nicuraguan route will be laid before you In the performance of it's task the commission re- ccved all possible courtesy and assistance from the governments of Nicaragua and Costa Rica, which thus testified their appreciation of the importance of giving speedy and practical outcome to the great prolect that has for so many years engrossed the attention of the re- spectve countries.
 The Paris Exposition.
 There is now every prospect that tho part.ci- patton of the United States in the universal ex- position to Do held in Paris in l9Jo will be on scale commensurate with the advanced posi- tion held by our products and industries In the worlds chief marts. By a provision in the sundry civil appropriation act Of July l.. 1898 a sum not to exceed S65 l,0J0 was allotted for the organization of commission to care for the proper preparation and installation Of American exhibits and for the display of suitable exhibits by the several executive de- partments, particularly by the department of agriculture the fish commission and the Smith sonian institution. in the representation of the government of the United States Pursuant to that enactment appointed Mir. Ferdinand w. Peck. of Chicago. commissioner general. with an assistant commissioner general and secretary
 Relations with Great Britain.
 Our relations with Great Britain have con- laa Ia.