The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Text of the Document Sub
mitted to Congress.
MAJOR PORTION DEVOTED TO WAR.
Adheres to Resolution Adopted by Com
Give Cuba Its Ind~pendencs--New Re-
lations With Hawaii-Army and Navy
Needs-Currency Recommendation.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-To the Senate
ana House of Representatives: Notwith-
standing the added burdens rendered nee
essary by the war, our people rejoice in a
very satisfactory and steadily increasing
uegree OF prosperity evidenced by the
largest volume of business ever recorded.
Every branch of manufacture has been
productive, agricultural pursuits have
yielded abundant returns, labor in the
ueld OF industry Is better rewarded, rev.
enue legislation passed by the present
congress has increased the treasury's re-
celpts to the amount estimated by it's
authors; the finances of the goyernment
have been successfully administered and
ats credit advanced to the first rank,
while Its currency has been maintained at
the world highest standard.
Military seryice under q common flag
and for righteous cause has strength
ened the national spirit and served to
1ement more closely than ever the frater-
oal bonds between every section of the
country.
A review of the relations of the United
States to other powers, always appro-
pirate, Is this year of primary Importance,
IN view OF the mOmentous issues which
have arisen, demanding in one instance
the ultimate determination by arms and
Involving far-reaching consequences,
which will require the earnest attention
OF the congress.
The president here devotes considerable
space to the events leading up to the war
with Spain, and continues as follows:
Our country thus, after an interval Of
half 9 century of peace with all nations
found Itself engaged in deadly conflict
with foreign country. Every nerve was
strained to meet the emergency. The re-
sponse to the initial call for 125, eco volun-
teers was instant and complete, as was
also the result of the second call of May
%, for q, 900 additional volunteers. The
ranks OF the regular army were increased
to the limits provided by the act of April
23. The enlisted force of the navy on the
10th of August, when it reached its maxi
mum, numbered "a, 1873 men and appren-
tices One hundred and three vessels
were added to the navy by purchase. one
was presented to the government one
leased and four vessels of the Interna-
tional Navigation company, the St. Paul,
st. Louis, New York and Paris, were
chartered. In addition to these the reve-
turned over to the navy department and
became temporarily part of the auxili-
2ry navy.
1t is not within the province Of this
message to narrate the history of the ex-
traordinary war that followed the Span
ish declaration of April 81, but brief re-
cital of it's more salient features is appro-
pirate. The first encounter Of the war in
point OF date took place April 81, when a
detachment Of the blockading squadron
made reconnaissance in force at Matan-
zas, shelled the harbor forts and demol-
ashed several new works in construction.
Dewey's Remarkable Victory.
The next engagement was destined to
mark memorable epoch in maritime
warfare. The Pacific fleet, under Commo.
dore George Dewey, had lain for some
be- of hnySrp %Io .s.,1
proclamation of neutrality being issued
and the customary "a hours notice being
given, 1t repaired to Mrs bay, near Hong
Kong, whence it proceeded to the Philip.
pine islands, under telegraphic orders to
capture or destroy the formidable Spanish
fleet then assembled at Manila. At day
break on May the American force en-
tered Manila bay and after few hours
engagement effected the total destruction
OF the Spanish feet, consisting of 10 war
ships and transport, besides capturing
the naval station and forces at Cavite,
thus annih'lating the Spanish naval
power in the Pacific ocean and completely
controlling the bay of Manila, " III the
ability to take the city at will. Not life
was lost on our ships, the wounded only
numbering seven, while not a vessel was
materially injured. For this gallant
achievement the congress, upon my rec.
ommendatlon, fifty bestowed upon the
actors preferment and substantial reward.
The effect of this remarkable victory
upon the spirit of our people and upon the
fortunes of war was instant. A prestige
of invincibility thereby attached to our
arms, which continued throughout the
struggle. Reinforcements We're hurried
70 Manila, under the command of Major
General Merritt, and We're firmly estab
lished within sight of the capital, which
lay helpless before our guns. On the 18th
day OF May the government was advised