Connecticut western news., 1898-12-08
M'KINLEY'S MESSAGE.
REVIEWS IN DETAIL OUR VICTORIOUS
 WAR WITH SPAIN.

Pledges Independence For the Cu-
 bans-PhiIippine Question Left For Consideration of Congress-Recom- mends Increase in Army and Navy.
 The annual message of President Me Kinley was presented at the opening of the final session of the Fffty-fifth congress on Monday. By way of in- trodn ction the president says:
 Notwithstanding the added burdens rem dered necessary by the war our people rejoice in very satisfactory and steadily increasing degree of prosperity. evidenced by the largest volume of business ever re- corded.
 Manufacture has been productive. agri- cultural pursuits have yielded abundant returns. labor in all fields of industry is better rewarded. revenue legislation pass ed by the present congress has increased the treasurys receipts to the amount es- timated by It's authors, the finances or the government have been successfully ad- ministered and its credit advanced to the first rank. while it's currency has been maintained at the worlds highest stand ard.
 Military service under a common flag and for a righteous cause has strength ened the national spirit and served to ce- ment more closely than ever the fraternal bonds between every section of the coun- try.
 Review of the War.
 The president reviews the war with Spain at great length. In referring to the controversy with Spain which led up to the wal he takes up the thread of the narrative where 1t terminated in his last annual message and concludes: It was honestly due to our friendly rela- tons with Spain that she should be given a reasonable chance to realize her expec- tations of reform. to which she had be- come irrevocably committed.
 It became evident. however. that the proposed plans were barren of good re- suits. No tangible relief was afforded the reconcentrados. among whom the rate of mortality frightfully increased. The prof fered expedient of zones of cultivation proved illusory, and it was apparent that Spain or the Cubans and the practical ruin of the island of Cuba could result from the struggle then in progress.
 Resuming the war narrative, the president directs attention to the meas ures, including the voting without op- position of an appropriation of $50, ,000,- 900, taken to place the country on a war footing, and adds:
 It is sufficient to say that the outbreak of war. when it did come. found our na- ton not unprepared to meet the conflict.
 The wreck of the battleship Maine in Havana harbor is thus referred to:
 It Is striking evidence of the boise and sturdy good sense distinguishing our na- tional character that this shocking blow. falling upon generous people already deeply touched by preceding events in Cuba. did not move them to an Instant, desperate resolve to tolerate no longer the existence of condition of danger and disorder at our doors that made possible such deed by whomsoever wrought.
 Efforts to Avert War.
 Reference Is made to the apprehen- sion of coming strife felt by the con- tinental powers, voiced in the address to the president through their embas- sadors and envoys and to the presi- dents reply thereto. Still animated. however. by the hope of a peaceful so- lution of the difficulty and obeying the dictates of duty the president relaxed no effort to bring about a speedy end ing of the Cuban struggle.
 Negotiations with the Madrid gov ernment proved futile so far as prac- tical results were concerned, and then it was the president presented the ques- tion to congress. saying:
 Tn the name of humanity. in the name of civilization. in behalf of endangered
 
 right and duty to speak and to act. the war in Cuba must stop.
 The result of this statement of the case was the adoption of the memorable joint resolution by congress declaring the purpose of the United States to intervene between the Spaniards and Cubans. Following swiftly upon the enactment of the resolution came the severance of diplomatic relations be- tween the two countries, the proclama- tion of a blockade of Cuban ports, the call for volunteers and the formal dec- laration of the existence of state of war All other governments were im- mediately notified of the existence of war and each proclaimed neutrality. The president says;
 It is not among the least gratifying in ctdents of the struggle that the obliga- tions of neutrality were impartially dis charged by all. often under delicate and difficult circumstances.
 The president reviews at length the work of preparation for war, referring particularly to the enlistment of the volunteers, to the material increase of the navy In both men and ships, and to the precautionary measures taken for the protection of the seaboard coast and cities.
 The Popular Bond Issue.
 As to the authorized loan of s2Oo 00O. 900 which was taken entirely by small bidders, the president says:
 This was a most encouraging and sig nificant result. showing the vast resources of the nation and the determination of the people to uphold their country's honor
 Taking up chronologically the events of the war. the president reviews them carefully. The first encounter was the smelling of Matanzas on April 27. This was followed by an engagement which was destined to mark a memorable epoch in maritime warfare"
 This was Commodore Dewey's won derful victory at Manila on May 1. "The effect of this remarkable victory" says the president. upon the spirit of our people and upon the fortunes of the war was instant The prestige of invincibili- ty thereby attached to our arms, which continued throughout the struggle .''
 The president says that "only reluc- tance to cause needless loss of life and property prevented the early storming and capture of the city (Manilal. and herewith the absolute military occu- pancy of the whole group"
 Following the memorable trip of the battIeship Oregon from San Francisco to Key West and the bombardment of San Juan and the forts of Santiago, the pres Kent makes special reference to the sinking of the Merrimac by Lieuten- ant Hobson and his crew as the next act in the war which thrilled not alone the hearts of our countrymen. but the world, by its exceptional heroism."
 The campaign of Santiago. resulting in the investment and capture of that city, is referred to as brilliant achieve ment A brief review is then presented of the decisive naval combat of the war on July 3. resulting in the complete de-