The Forrest City times., 1898-12-09


mitted to congress, contains about 90,
600 words. Following is brief synop,
sis including some direct excerpts OF
the more important features of the
message:
TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES: Notwithstanding
the adde burdens rendered necessary by
the war, our people rejoice In very sat.
isfactory and steadily increasing degrees
of prosperity evidenced by the largest
volume of business ever recorded. Manu-
features have been productive. agricul-
tural pursuits have yieiued abundant re-
turns. labor in all fields of industry Is
passed by the present congress has in.
creased the treasury's receipts to the
amount estimated by its authors; the
finances of the government have been sue,
cessfully administered and it's credit ad.
vanced to the first rank; while it's cur.
rency has been maintained at the worlds
a common flag and for a righteous cause
has strengthened the national spirit, ana
served to cement more closely than ever
the fraternal bonds between every sec.
ton of the country.
CONTROVERSY WITH SPAIN RE
VIEWED.
In reviewing the controversy which lei
up to the war with Spain, the presden'
IL terminated in his last annual mes
sage. He concluded: at was honestly
due to our friendly relations with SpaiI
that she should be given a reasonable
chance to realize her expectations of re-
form to which she had become irrevoca
bly, committed.
proposed plans We're barren of good re
suits. No tangible relief was afforded tn,
reconcentrados, among whom the rat,
of mortality frightfully increased; tn,
proffered expedient of zones of cultiva.
ton proved illusory, and it was apparen'
that nothing save the physical exhaus
tical ruin of the island of Cuba could re
suit from the struggle then in progress
DESTRUCTION OF THE MAINE.
:, At this critical juncture. the destruc
ton of the battleship Maine occurred
Concerning 1t the president says:
1t is striking evidence of the poist
and sturdy. good sense distinguishing oui
national character that this shocking
blow. falling upon generous people, al.
ready deeply touched by preceding events
In Cuba, did not move them to an in.
slant, desperate resolve to tolerate nc
longer the existence of a condition OF
danger and disorder at our doors that
made possible such deed. by whomso.
ever wrought"
Resuming the war narrative the presi,
dent directs attention to the measures
including the 100000 appropriation for
national defense, taken to place the
country on a war footing, and adds: I'll
Is sufficient to say that the outbreak OF
not unprepared to meet the conflict"
POWERS.
Reference Is made TO the apprehension
of coming strife by the continental pow
ers, voiced in the address to the presi-
dent through their ambassadors and en-,
yoys, and to the presidents reply thereto
Still animated. however, by the hope Of
peaceful solution of the difficulty and
obeying the dictates of duty, the presi-
dent relaxed no effort to bring about a
speedy ending OF the Cuban struggle. Me-
gotiations with the Madrid government
proved futile, so far as practical results
were concerned, and then it was the
gress, saying: In the name of humanity
In the name of civilization, in behalf OF
endangered American interests, which
give us the right and duty to speak and
to act the war In Cuba must stop"
THE DECLARATION OF CONGRESS.
The result of this statement of the case
was the adoption of the memorable joint
pose of the United States to intervene
between the Spaniards and Cuban Fol
lowing swiftly upon the enactment of the
resolution, came the severance of diplo-
matte relations between the two coun-
tries, the proclamation of a blockade of
Cuban ports, the call Tor volunteers, and
the formal declaration of the existence
or state OF war. All other governments
We're Immediately notified of the exist
ence OF war and each proclaimed neu-
trallty; IT Is not among the least graft
flying incidents of the struggle that the
obligations OF neutrality were impartially
disehsa q, by all, often under delicate
THE PREPARATION FOR WAR,
The president reviews at length the
work of preparation for war, referring
particularly to the enlistment Of the vol,
unteers, TO the material increase of the
navy In both men and ships and to the
protection Of the seaboard Ae Coast ser a sne
cities. The aggregate number of mines
placed was 1,535. at the principal harbors
from Maine TO California
Referring az to the difficult and i'm
formed by the signal corps the president
says: This service was Invaluable to the
executive in directing the operations of
of over 1900. the loss was by disease in
camp a3d neid, officers and men included.
AS TO the authorized loan of 5000 600 ooo
which was taken entirely by small bid.
ders, the president says: This was a
most encouraging and significant result.
showing the vast resources of the nation
and the determination of the people 10
uphold their country's honor
Taking up chronologically the events of
the war, the president reviews them care
fully. The first encounter was the she'll
, fag OF Matanzas on April "a. This was
a.29llioWeu py an engagement which was
Destined TO mark memorable epoch in
maritime warfare
DEWEY'S WONDERFUL VICTORY
This was Commodore Dewey's wonder
ful victory at Manila, on May L. THE eff
president, upon the spirit of our people
and upon the fortunes of the war was In
slant; prestige of invincibility thereby
attached to our arms, which continued
throughout the struggle
the president says that "Only rellc-
tance to cause needless loss of life and
property prevented the early stormins
and capture or the city (Manila) and
Herewith the absolute military occupan-
cy of the whole group Following the
memorable trip of the battleship Oregon
from San Francisco to Key West. and The
bombardment of San Juan and the forts
OF Santiago, to which special reference Is
made, the president says:
LIEUT.. HOBSON'S EXPLOIT
THE next act in the war thrilled not
alone the hearts of our countrymen but
the world, by its exceptional heroism. on
the night of June Lieut.. Hobson aided
by seven volunteers, blocked the outlet
from Santiago harbor by sinking the
collier Merrimac in the channel, under q
fierce fire from the shore batteries. escap-
ing with their lives as by a miracle but
falling into the hands of the Spaniards
II is a most gratifying incident OF the war
that the bravery of this little band of he
roes was cordially appreciated by the
Spanish admiral"
THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN.
The campaign of Santiago. resultins
IN the Investment and capture of thai
city. Is referred TO as a brilliant achieve
ment. A brief review is then presented
OF the decisive naval combat of the war
July & resulting in tha ror,vlato -.