The Meeker herald., 1898-12-10

nately was not required Outside Of tbs
United States. They did their whole
duty, and, like their comrades at the
front, have earned the gratitude Of the
nation. In like manner. the officers
and men of the army and Of the navy
who remained In their departments
and stations OF the navy, performing
most important duties connected will
the war. and whose requests for as
signment in the field and Mt sea 1t was
compelled to refuse because their ser.
vices were Indispensable here, are en-
titled to the highest cOmmendatiOn. II
is my regret that there seems to be nc
provision for their suitable recognition
IN this connection it Is a pleasure
for me to mention in terms of cordial
appreciation the timely and useful
work of the American National Red
Cross. both in relief measures prepar-
atory to the campaigns. in sanitary as
sistance at several Of the camps of as
semblage. and later. under the able
and experienced leadership of the
president of the society, Miss Clara
Barton. on the fields of battle and in
the hospitals at the front in Cuba.
''In tracing these events we are con-
stantly reminded of our obligations
to the Divine Master for his watch
full care over us and his safe guidance.
for which the nation makes reverent
acknowledgment and offers humble
prayer for the continuance of his fa-
vor."
The President then narrates the cir
cumstances leading to the signing of
the protocol and says that the negO-
tiations have made hopeful progress,
SO that l trust soon to be able to lay
definite treaty Of peace before the
Senate. with a review OF the steps
leading to Its signature"
or the question of the future govern
ment Of the new colonies the message
says:
Il do not discuss at this time the gov
ernment or the future Of the new pos
sessions which will come to us as the
result Of the war with Spain. Such n
discussion will be appropriate after
the treaty of peace shall be ratified.
In the meantime, and until Congress
has legislated otherwise, II will be INV
duty to continue the military govern
ment which has existed since our oc-
cupation. and give Its people security
in life and property and encourage
ment under just and beneficent rule.
As soon as we are in possession of
Cuba and have pacifed the island it
will be necessary to give aid and di-
rection to this people to form gov
ernment for themselves. This should
be undertaken at the earliest moment
consistent with safety and assured
success. 1t is important that our re-
lations with these people shall be of
the most friendly character. and our
commercial relations close and recip-
rocal. 1t should be our duty to assist
in every proper way to build up the
waste places of the island, encourage
the Industry of the people and assist
them to form government which
shall be free and independent. thus
realizing the best aspirations Of the
Cuban people.
Spanish rule must be replaced by
just. benevolent and humane govern
ment. created by the people of Cuba.
capable of performing all interna-
tional obligations. and which shall en-
courage thrift, industry and prosper
ity and promote peace md good win
among all of the Inhabitants, what
ever may have been their relations in
the past Neither revenge nor pas
sion should have a place In the new
government Until there is complete
tranquility in the island and stable
government lnnugurated. military Oc-
cupntion will be continued.
with the exception of the rupture
with Spain. the intercourse Of the
United States with the great family
of nations has been marked with cor
diality. and the close of the eventful
year finds most of the issues that
necessarily arise in the complex rela-
tions of sovereign states adjusted or
presenting no serious obstacles to
Just and honorable solution by AMIGA
BILE agreement
The Nicaragua canal receives the
following favorable mention:
1.-The Nicaraguan canal commission,
under the championship of Rear Ad-
miral John q. Walker. appointed July
"a. 1897. under the authority of Il pro-
vision In the sundry civil act Of June
4th of that year, has nearly completed
its lnbOrs, md the results OF its ex-
haustive inquiry into the proper route.
the feasibility. and the cost of con-
struction of nn interOceanic canal by a
Nicaraguan route. will he laid before
you. Circumstances suggest the
urgency of some definite action
by the Congress at this ses-
sion, II the labors of the past are
to be utilized, and the linking of the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans by u prac-
tical waterway Is to he realized. That
the construction Of such maritime
highway Is now more than ever in
dispensable to that intimate and ready
nter-communicntion between our east
ern and western seaboards demanded
by the annexation of the Hawaiian
islands and the prospective expansion
Of our influence and commerce to the
Pacific, and that our national policy
now more imperatively than ever calls
for Its control by this government, are
propositions which l doubt not the
Congress will duly appreciate and
wisely act upon"
In regard to questions of finance and
the currency the President says:
| 1t is estimated upon the basis of
| present revenue laws that the receipts