The Dickinson press., 1898-12-10
THIS THE MESSAGE
PRESIDENTS ANNUAL coMMuNIcA-
TlON TO CONGRESS

TON TO CONGRESS
Duly Delivered to House and senate-Prin-
cipally Review of the War with Spain.
Our Other Foreign Relations Friendly.
No Philippine Recommendations Cur
rency Reform-Nicaragua Canal and
Other Matters.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-President Nc
Kinlcy's second annual me ssage has been
submitted to congress and contains about
10000 words. Following is brief synop-
sis Of the doculnent:
TO the Senate and House of Representa-
tives:
Notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered necessary by the war, our people
rejoice i'll very satisfactory and steadily
increasing degree of prosperity, evidenced
by the largest volume of business ever re-
corded. Manufacture has been produc-
tive, agricultural pursuits have yielded
abundant returns, labor in all fields of in
dustry is better rewarded revenue logisla-
ton passed by the present congress has in
creased the treasury's receipts to the
amount estimated by its authors; the
uIlluSSS VI tllO SoNCI111AC4u AlbNo bCOAA
successfully administered and it's credit
advanced to the first rank; while its cur
rcncy has been maintained at tho worlds
highest standard. Military service under
q common flag and for righteous cause
has strengthened the national spirit and
served to cement moro 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
takes up the thread of narrative where 1t
terminated in his last annual message.
He concluded. ''It was honestly due to
our friendly relations with Spain that she
should be given n reasonable chance to
rcalize her expectations Of reform to
which she Ind become irrevocably COM
mitted." 1t became evident however,
that the proposed plans were barren of
good results. No tangible relief was
afforded the reconccntrados, among whom
the rate of mortality frightfully increased;
the proffered expedient of zones of cult.
vation proved illusory, and it was appar-
ent that nothing save the physical ex-
Laustion of Spain or tho 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 the battleship "Maine" occurred, and
attention is given to that incident.
Resuming the war narrative the presi-
dent directs attention to the measures,
including the S5O,0OO,O 900 appropriation for
national defense, taken to place the coun-
try on II war footing, and adds: 1T is
sufficient to say that the outbreak of war,
when it did come, found our nation not
unprepared to meet the conflict"
Taking up chronologioally the events of
the war, the president reviews them care
fully. Tho first encounter was the she'll
ing of Matanzas on April 81. This was
followed by an engagement which was
destined to mark n memorable epoch in
maritime warfare" This was Commo-
dore Dewey wondcrfoul victory ut Ma
nila OH May /. "The effect Of this remark
able victory" says the president, upon
the spirit of our people and upon the for
tunes of the war was instant. A prestige
of invincibility thereby attached to our
arms, which continued throughout the
struggle"
The campaign of Santiago, resulting in
the Investment and capture of that city,
is referred to as brilliant achievement
A brief riview is then presented Of the de-
cisive naval combat of the war, on July
Bird, resulting in the complete destruction
of Admiral Cervera's fleet.
The peace negotiations which followed
soon after the capitalization of Santiago,
and the preparation and signing of the
protocol are discussed ut length. Refer
reng to tho work of the peace commission
ers at Paris, the president says:
"Thcsc negotiations have made hopeful
progress, so that trust soon to be able to
lay a definite treaty before the senate, with
q review Of the steps leading to it's sig
nature.
II do not discuss at this time the gov
ernment or tenure of the new possessions
which will come to us as the result of the
war with Spain. Such discussion will be
appropriate after the treaty of peace shall
be ratified. In the meantime and until
the congress has legislated otherwise, it
will be my duty to continue tho military
governments which have existed since our
occupation and give to the people security
in life and property and encouragement
under Il just and beneflcent rule"
With the one instance of the interrupt
tion of intercourse with Spain, the rela-
tions of the United States with the family
of nations during the past year has been
characterized by cordiality.
The president expects that tho Mica
ragua canal commission will shortly be
able to report finally.
II have not hesitated to express my con-
yictions" says the president, "that con-
sidcrations Of expediency and international
policyas between the several governments
interested in the construction and control
of an interoceanic canal by this route,
require the maintenance of the status quo
until the canal commission shall have re-
ported, and the United States congress
shall have had the opportunity to pass
finally upon the whole matter"
Tho president regards, in view of our
newly acquired interests In the Pacific
ocean, the construction Of such a maritime
highway is now more than ever indispen-
siblc. q 5
A1luding to the financial affairs of the
country, the president says in part:
"In my Judgment the present condition
of the treasury amply justifies the imme-
diatc enactment of the legislation recon-
mendcd year ago, under which portion
of tho gold holdings should be placed In a
trust fund frAn which greenbacks should
b. redeemed upon presentation, but when
once redeemed should not thereafter be
paid out except for gold. -.py,.
'It is not to be inferred that other legis-
lation relating to our currency is not re-
quired; on the contrary, there is IN
obvious demand for it,"
The accommodation made by tho secre-
tlry of war for the increase of the regular
military establishment has the presidents
unqualified approval. He says that it is
his purpose to muster out the entire vol.
unteer army as soon as congress shall pro-
vide for the increase Of tho regular estab-
5lishment. Ho also recommends an
increase in the naval esta ablishment.