Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1898-12-09
Information as to Past Events
and Advice as to Future
Ones
REVIEW Of THE LATE WAR
Large Portion ofthe Document
Devoted to Our Recent
Troubles.
No Recommendations at Pres
ent Regarding the Phil-
ippines.
To the Senate and House Of Representa-,

To the Senate u House OF Representa-
tives:
notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered necessary by the war, our people
rejoice in q very satisfactory and steadily
Increasing degree of prosperity evidenced
by the largest volume Of business ever .
corded. Manufacture has been productive,
antreturns ,laborin the fields of industry ID
betterrewarded, revenue Legislation passed
by the present congress has increased the
mated by its authors: the finances Of the
government have been successfully id
ministered aud its credit advanced to the
first rank, while its currency has been
maintained at the worlds highest stand
ard Military service, under q common
flag and for q righteous cause, has
strengthened the national spirit and
served to cement more closely than ever
the fraternal bonds between every section
of tho country.
A review Of the relations Of the
United States to other powers, always ap-
propriatc, is this year Of primary impor.
tance in view Of the momentous issues
which have arisen demanding in one in
stance the ultimate determination by
arms and involving far reaching conse-
quence which will require the earnest at
tention Of the congress.
In my last annual message very full
consideration was given to the question
of the duty of the government of the
United States towards Spain and the Gu
ban i~nsurrection as being by far the most
important problem with which we were
then called upon to deal.
The considerations then advanced and
the exposition Of the views therein ex-
pressed, disclosed my sense Of the extreme
gravity Of the situation. Setting aside as
logically unfounded, or practically mad.
Missile, the recognition Of the Cuban in
surgents as belligerents, the recognition
Of independence of Cuba, as neutral inter-
vention to end var by imposing a rational
compromise between the contestants, In
tervention In favor of n or the other
party and forcible annexation Of
the island, I concluded 1t was
honestly due to u friendly relations
with Spain thatT she should be given .
reasonable chance to realize her. expecta-
tions Of reform to which she had bo-
come i~rrevocably committed. Within q
few weeks previously she had announced
comprehensive plans which 1t was conf
IDENTIFY asserted would be efacacious to
remedy the evils so deeply affecting U
own country. so injurious to the true
interests Of the mother country, ~ we'll
rs to those of Cuba, and 80 repugnant to
the universal sentiment Of humanity.
Little Sign Of Real Progress.
The ensuing months brought little sign
of real progress toward the pactfcation of
Cuba. The destruction of the Maine in
Havana harbor and the suspicious nature
- - ~nnlo ~oHt|~xYm~n~ -
the existing conditions impossible. New
ertheless, tho instinct Of Justice prevailed
and the nation awaited the result Of the
searching investigation set on foot. The
result of this Investigation was antici-
pated, even before the finding of the naval
court had been made public, and 1t needed
but q brief executive suggestion for the
congress to appropriate go, Q 900 'for
the national defense and for each and
every purpose connected Herewith, to be
expended at the discretion of the presi.
dent"
Tho president then details the negotis.
lions with Spain to the end that war
might be averted and the attempt to re-
lieve the distress in Cuba.
Negotiations continued for some little
time at Madrid, resulting in offers by the
Spanish government which could not but
be regarded as inadequate. Grieved and
disappointed at this barren outcome of my
sincere endeavors to reach a practicable
solution, I felt it my duty to remit the
whole question to the congress.
+, Iagain reviewed the alternative course
Of action which 1 had proposed, conclud-
ing that the only n c%onsonant with in.
ternational policy and compatible with
our frm-sct historical traditions was In
PREVENTION nj a neutral to stop the war
md check the hopeless sacrifice of life,
even though that resort involved 'shostile
constraint upon both the parties to the
contest as we'll to enforce a truce as to
guide the eventual settlement"
Grounds of Jhsti0cation.
The grounds justifying that step were
the interests of humanity; the duty to
protect Life and property of Dur citizens
in Cuba; the right to check injury to our
commerce and people through the devas-
tation Of the island. and,,most important,
the need of removing at nee and forever
/, the constant menac and the burdens en-
tailed upon our government by the uncer-
tsinties and perils Of the situation caused
by the uncomfortable disturbance in Cuba.
In view of all this the congress- was
asked to authorize and empower the
ptoSl06nG 10 G8Ae me0SuIoo tOooCuke 1uAl
and final termination of hostlities be
tween Spain and the people Of Cuba and
to secure to the island the establishment
Of a stable government, capable of main.
tanning order and observing Its interna'
tional obligations, insuring peace and
tranquility and the security of its citi.
xens as our OWE. and for the accomplish
ment Of those ends to use the military and
naval forces of the United Statesas might
be necessary, with added authority to
continue generous relief to the starving
people Of Cuba.
In congress upon the Cuban resolutions,
the notification cent to Spain and the
presenting Of his passports to GeneInl
Woodford. The proclamation Of q STATE