Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1898-12-09
REVIEW OF THE LATE WAR
Large Portion of the Document
Devoted to Our Recent
Troubles.
No Recommendations at Pres
ent Regarding the Phil
ippines.
70 the Senate and House of Representa-

Notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered 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,
agricultural pursuits have yielded abund
ant returns, lnborin the fields Of industry is
better rewarded, revenue legislation passed
by the present congress has increased the
treasury's receipts to the amount esti-
mated by its authors; the finances of the
government have been successfully ad-
ministcred and it's credit advanced to the
first rank, while it's currency has been
maintained at the worlds highest stand
ard. Military service, under common
flag and for 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 tho relations of the
United States to other powers, always ap-
propriate, 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-
quences 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 insurrection 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 inad-
missible, the recognition of the Cuban in
surgents rs 'bclligerents, the recognition
of independence of Cuba, as neutral inter
vention to end war by imposing rational
compromise between the contestants, in
tervention in favor of one or the other
party and forcible annexation Of
the island, concluded it was
honestly due to our friendly relations
with Spain that she should be given q
reasonable chance to realize her expecta-
tions of reform to which she had be-
come irrevocably committed. Within a
few weeks previously she had announced
comprehensive plans which it was conf
IDENTIFY asserted would be eff1cacious to
remedy the evils so deeply affecting our
own country, SO injurious to the true
interests of the mother country, as we'll
as to those of Cuba, and so repugnant to
the universal sentiment of humanity.
Little Sign of Real Progress.
The ensuing months brought little sign
of real progress toward the paciflcation Of
Cuba The destruction of the Maine in
Havana harbor and the suspicious nature
of the catastrophe made continuance of
the existing conditions impossible. New
ertheless, the 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 it needed
but u brief executive suggestion for the
congress to appropriate $50, 900 "for
the national defense and for each and
every purpose connected Herewith, to be
expended at the discretion of the presi-
dent"
The president then details the negotia-
tions with Spain to the end that war
might be aycrted and the attempt to re-
Ieve 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 q practicable
solution, felt it my duty to remit the
whole question to the congress.
Iagain reviewed the alternative course
of action which had proposed, conclud-
ing that the only one consonant with in
ternntional policy and compatible with
our firm set historical traditions was in
tervention as neutral to stop the war
and check the hopeless sacrifice of life,
even though that resort involved ''hostile
constraint upon both the parties to the
contest as we'll to enforce q truce as to
guide the eventual settlement"
Grounds of Justification.
Tho grounds justifying that step were
the interests of humanity; the duty to
protect life and property Of our citizens
in Cuba; the right to check injury to our
commerce and people through the devas-
tation of the island, and, ,'1nost important,
the need Of removing at once and forever
the constant menace and the burdens en-
tailed upon our government by the uncer-
tainties and perils Of the situation caused
by the uncomfortable disturbance in Cuba.
In view of oil this the congress was