The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-12-07

review of the relations Of the United
states to other powers, always appropri-
ate, is this year of primary importance in
view Of the momentons issues which have
arisen, demanding in one instance their
ultimate determination by arms, and in
volving far reaching consequences which
will require the earnest attention Of the
congress.
Ia my last annual message very full
consideration was given TO the question
of the duty OF the government of the
United States toward Spain and the Gu
ban insnrrection. as being by far the
most important problem with which we
were then called upon to deal. The con-
siderations then advanced, and the expo
si.iOn Of the views therein expressed, dis
closed my sense of the extreme gravity
Of the situation. The war continued on
the old footing, without comprehensive
plan, developing only the same spasmo-
die encounters, barren of strategic result,
that had marked the course of the earlier
ten years rebellion, as well as the present
insurreetiOn from its start. No alterna-
tive save The physical exhaustion Of
either combatant, and Herewith the
practical ruin of the Island lay in sight /;
but how far distant no one could venture
10 conjecture.
At this juneture, on February Is last.
occurred the destruction OF the battleship
Maine, while rightfully lying in the har-
Dor of Havana on a mission of interna-
tional courtesy and good will, catastro-
phe the suspicious nature and horror of
which stirred the nations heart pro-
foundly. Yet the instinct of justice pre-
vailed, and the Nation anxiously await
ed the result OF the searching investiga-
ton at once set on foot. The finding Of
the naval board of inquiry established
that the origin Of the explosion was ex-
ternal, Oy submarine mine, and only
halted through lack of positive testimony,
10 fix the responsibility Of its authorship.
All these things carried conviction to the
most thoughtful, even before the finding
of the naval court, that a crisis in our
relations with Spain and toward Cuba,
was at hand. So strong was this belief
that il needed but brief executive sug-
gestion 10 the congress to receive an i'm
mediate answer TO the duty of making
perhaps speedily probable emergency of
war, and the remarkable, almost uniform
spectacle was presented of a unanimous
vote Of both houses. on the 9Th OF March,
appropriating so, ,OO0, 900 for the national
defence and for each and every purpose
connected Herewith, to be expended at
the discretion of the president"
Our coasts were practically undefended,
our navy needed ammunition and sup
plies, and even numbers to cope with
any sudden attack from the navy OF
Spain, which comprised modern vessels
OF the highest type Of continental per-
fection. Oar army also required en-
largement of men and munitions. Still
animated by the hope of peaceful solu-
tion and obeying the dictates of duty,
no effort was relaxed to bring about a
speedy ending of the Cuban struggle.
Negotiations continued for some little
time at Madrid, resulting in offers by the
Spanish government which could not but
be regarded as inadequate.
THE ALTERNATIVE OF WAR
Grieved and disappointed at the bar
rem outcome of my sincere endeavors to
reach practicable solution, felt it my
duty TO remit the whole question to the
congress. The response of congress, after
nine days of earnest deliberations, during
which the almost unanimous sentiment
of your body was developed on every
point save as TO the expediency of coup
ling the proposed action with a formal
recognition of the republic of Cuba az
the true and lawful government of that
island--a proposition which failed OF
adoption-the congress after conference,
on April 70, by a vote of A TO 35 in the
sentatives, passed the memorable joint
resolution. This resolution was approved
by the executive the next day, April 20
/ 4 copy was at once communicated TO the
/ Spanish minister at this capital, who
! forthwith announced that his continuance
in Washington had thereby become i'm
possible, and asked for his passports,
which were given him aiter the instruc-
tion reached Gen. Woodford in Madrid
on the morning Of April q. But before
he could present it the Spanish minister
of state notified him that upon the presi-
dents approval of the joint resolution,
the Madrid government regarding the
act as equivalent 10 an evident declara-
tion of war; had ordered its minister in
Washington to withdraw, thereby break
ing off diplomatic relations between the
/ two countries and cessing all official
communication between their respective
governments.
Our country thus, after an interval OF
half Il century of peace with all nations,
found itself engaged in deadly conflict
with foreign enemy. Every nerve was
strained to meet the emergency. Every
precaution was taken to prevent possible
injury to our great cities lying along the
coast.
Continuing, the message narrates the
history Of the extraordinary war that fol.
lowed the Spanish declaration. The ef.
feet Of Dewey's victory upon the spirit:
of our people and upon the fortunes o.
the war was instant A prestige of irwin
cibility thereby attached to our arms
which continued throughout the struggle
Reference is made to the attempt OF ths
torpedo boat Winslow to silence the bat
teries at Cardenss. resulting in the death
Of Ensign Worth Bsgley and four sea
men.
The next act in the war thrilled, moi
alune the hearts Of our countrymen, bui
the world, by its exceptional heroism. Or
the night Of June 30. Lieutenant Hobson
aided by seven devoted volunteers, block.
ed the narrow outlet from Santiago har.
Dor by sinking the collier Merrimac in
the channel, under a fierce fire from the
shore batteries, escaping with their live:
as by miracle. but falling into the hand,
of the Spaniards. Il is laost gratifying
incident of the war that the bravery d
this little band of heroes was cordially
appreciated by the Spanish Admiral
who sent a flag of truce to notify Admiral
Sampson Of their safety and 70 compli.
ment them on their daring act They
were subsequently exchanged July7.
The landing Of COO marines at Gnatana-
mo Bay and of Skaters army at Baiqni-
ri is next referred 10 and then follows q