Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-12-08

w AEtiift lOH. LET. o.-f I6SAutTI AlCDNlI
ley's second annua message. submitted
TO congress yesterday. contains about
twenty thousand words. Following is q
brief synopsis-including some direct ex.
cerpts OF the more important featureS :
OF the message:
To the Senate and House OF Represen.
tatives:
Notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered necessary by the war. our people
rejoice in a very satisfactory and steadily
Increasing degree OF prosperity. evidenced
recorded. Manufacture has been pro.
ductiye, agricultural pursuits have yield
ed abundant returns. labor in all fields OF
Industry Is better rewarded; revenue leg
tslation passed by the present congress
has increased the treasury's receipts 10
the amount estimated by it's authors; tbs
finance OF the government a been
successfully administered and its credit
advanced TO the first rank; while its cur
rency has been maintained at the world
highest standard. Military service under
Q common flag and for a righteous cause
has strengthened the national spirit and
served to cement more closely than ever
the fraternal bonds between every section
OF the country"
In reviewing the controversy which led
up to the war with Spain, the president
X up the thread of narrative where IL
terminated in his last annual message.
He concluded: 1T was honestly due to
our friendly relations with Spain that she
should be given a reasonable chance to
realize her expectations of reform to
Which she had become ~irreyocably com
1t Became evident. however. that the
proposed plans were barren of good re-
suits. No tangible relief was afforded the
r~econeentrados, among whom the rate OF
mo ri ~frightfully increased ths PROF,
proved illusory; and 1T was apparent that
nothing ave the physical exhaustion of
Spain or the Cubans and the practical
ruin of the island OF Cuba could result
from the struggle then in progress.
AT this critical juncture the destruction
Of lhs battleship Maine occurred. Con-
ceaFnin e T. t4a president pre- sxi1sn says; ,na ,o,ss
and sturdy good sense DISTINGUISHING our
national character, that this ~unlooked-for
blow. falling upon a generous people, al
ready deeply touched by preceding vents
In Cuba. did not move them to an IN
slant, desperate resolve to tolerate no
longer the existence OF q condition of IAN
ger and disorder at our doors that mad
possible such a deed, by whomsoever
wrought"
Resuming the war narrative, the presi-
dent directs attention to the measures. in
Guiding the o,Oooo goo appropriation for
try on a war footing, n adds; 1T IL
sufftctent TO say that the outbreak of war,
when 1t did ONE found u nation not
Reference is made TO the apprehension
of coming strife by the Continental pow
ers, voiced in the address to the president
through their ambassadors n ENJOYS,
and to the presidents reply thereto. Still
an'tsaIed, however. by h hope of a
peaceful solution OF the difficulty. and
obeying the dictates of duty. the president
relaxed no eort to bring about a speedy
ending of the Cuban struggle. Negotia.
tons with the Madrid government proved
futile, so Tar as practical results were
concerned, and when the president pre-
scented the question to ongres saying:
I'm the name of humanity, in the name
of civilization, in behalf of endangered
interests. which give us the
r1ght and duty to speak; and TO act, the
war In cuba must stop"
The Declaration of War.
The result of this statement of the case
was the adoption of the memorable joint
by congress, declaring the pur-
pose or the United States to intervene be-
tween the Spanish and Cubans. Follow
swiftly upon the enactment of the res
came the severance of diplomatic
between the two countries, the
proclamation of a blockade Of Cuban
ports, the calling for volunteers and the
formal declaration Of the existence OF a
OF war. All other governments
were Immediately notified of the existence
Of war. and each proclaimed neutrality.
Is rot among the least gratifying in
cidents OF the struggle, that the obliga-
OF neutrality We're impartially dis
charged by all. often under most delicate
and difficult circumstances"
The president reviews at length the
work Of preparation for war, referring
10 the enlistment OF the NOl-
unteers; 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 the
cities.
THE aggregate number of mines placed
was 1,535. in the principal harbors, from
Maine 10 California
Referring TO 'the d ficult and important
character" OF the work performed by the
signal corps. the president says:
This service was invaluable TO the OK
ecutive in directing the operations of the
army and navy. With a total force OF
over 1900. the loss was by disease, in
camp and field, officers and men included,
only five"
AS TO the authorized loan of $500. 900, Don.
which was taken entirely by small bid
ders. the president
This was a most encouraging and sig
nthcant result. showing tie 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 care
fully. The first encounter was the she'll
ing of Matanzas, on April %. This was
followed by an engagement which was
destined 10 mark q mcmarable epoch in
warfare This was Commo-
dore peWey,s ES1hhaerful victory at Ma
able victory says The president, upon
the spirit OF our people and upon the
fortunes Of the war. was instant. A pres
tige OF invincihility thereby attached to
49, ~ 49, 49,, 49,
struggle"
The president says that 'only reluc-
tance 10 cause needless loss of life and
property prevented the early storming
and capture of the city (Manila), and
therewlih the absolute military occuran-
cy of tho whole Philippines group
Following the memorable trip o. the
Oregon from San Francisco 10
Key West and the bombardment of San
Juan and the forts of Santiago, TO which
special reference Is made, the president
says:
''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 une 3 Lieut.. Hobson. aided
by seven volunteers, blocked the outlet
from Santiago harbor by sinking the col
lier Merrimac In the channel, under n
fierce fire from the shore batteries, escap-
ing with their lives as by a miracle, hut
falling into tho hands OF the Spaniards.
It rs a most gratifying incident of the war
hat the bravery Of his little band OF
heroes was cordially appreciated By the
Spanish admiral
The Santiago Campaign.
The campaign or Santiago. resulting in
the investment and the capture OF taat
city. is referred to as a brilliant achieve
ment. a brief rcyicw Is then presented
OF the decisive naval combat OF the war
on July 3. resulting In the complete de-
OF Admiral Cervera's feet. Con-
corning II the president says.
"Wheye all so conspicuouSiy distin-
Kuish'ed themselves. from the commander