The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-09
ME- ANNUAL MESSAGE
The Presidents Address
to Congress.
DIR LATE WAR A FEATURE

-. SUGGESTIONS Made Regarding the
covernment OF Our New Territories
roreipn Relations Generally Salts
tactorv-Uawaiian Annexation.
n ,be Senate and House of Representa-
,,.s. Notwithstanding the added burdens
rarserfq necs ssary by the war, our people
r,i,i.a IN q very satisfactory and steadily
Increasing degree of prosperity, evidenced
Nv -bp largest volume Of business ever
recorded. Every manufacture has been
nroduc,ive. agricultural pursuits have
yielded abundant returns, labor in the
Odds of industry is better rewarded, rev.
erpe legislation passed by the present
coraress has increased the treasury's re-
ceiu-s 10 the amount estimated by its
auttors. the finances of the government
have been successfully administered and
rs credit advanced TO the first rank; while
as currency has been maintained at the
worlds highest standard. Military serv-
ioa under a common flag and for
righteous cause has strengthened the
rational spirit and served to cement more
tween every section OF the country.
review Of the relations of the United
States to other powers, always appropri-
ate. is this year of primary importance,
IN view of the momentous issues which
have risen. demanding in one instance the
ultimate determination by arms and in
yolving far-reaching consequences which
will REQUIRE the earnest attention 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 toward Spain and the Gu
han instruction, as being by far the
most important problem with which we
were called upon to deal. The considera-
tons then advanced, and the exposition
Of the views therein expressed, disclosed
my sense of the extreme gravity of the
situation.
Setting aside, as logically unfounded
or practically inadmissible, recogni-
tion of the Cuban insurgents as belliger-
ens, recognition of the independence
of Cuba neutral Intervention to end the
war by imposing a rational compromise
between the contestants, intervention in
favor of one or the other party and the
forcible annexation of the island, I con-
Guided it was honestly due to our friendly
relations with Spain that she should be
given reasonable chance to realize her
expectations of reform to which she had
become irrevocably committed.
Within a few weeks previously she
had announced comprehensive plans
which it was confidently asserted would
be eficacous to remedy the evils so
deeply affecting our own country, so in
furious 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.
Failure of Autonomy.
The ensuing months brought little sign
Of real progress toward the pacification
Of Cuba. The autonomous administra-
ton set up in the capital and some of
the principal cities appeared not to gain
the favor of the inhabitants nor to be
able TO extend their influence to the large
extent of territory held by the insurgents,
while the military army, obviously unable
10 cope with the still active rebellion,
Continued many of the most Objectionable
ana offensive policies of the government
mat had preceded it. No tangible relief
was afforded the vast numbers of I'M
happy reconcentrados, despite the reit-
Grated professions made in that regard
and the amount appropriated by Spain to
mat end. The proffered expedient of
zones Of cultivation proved illusory; in
deed no less practical nor more delusive
promises of succor could well have been
rendered to the exhausted and destitute
people stripped of all that made life and
nome DEAR and herded in a strange re-
hardly less necessitous than themselves.
b! the end of December the mortality
among them had frightfully increased.
conservative estimates from Spanish
sources placed the deaths among these
distressed people at over 40 per cent from
Inc time General Weyler's decree of
reconcentraton was enforced. With the
aeQuieScence of the Spanish authorities, a
sCheme was adopted for relief by charita-
ple contributions raised in this country
snu distributed, under the direction of the
.ohSu-general and the several consuls,
" noble and earnest individual effort
through the organized agencies of the
american Red Cross. Thousands of lives
were thus saved, but many thousands
more We're inaccessible to such forms OF
aid
me war continued on the old footing
.lelout comprehensive plan, developing
~ rrs me same spasmodic encounters, bar
~. ..n ot strategic result, that had marked
n Ne course Of the earlier 10 years rebel
s ,Ull as well as the present insurrection
III us start. No alternative save phySi-
70, .S1 exhaustion of either combatant, and
IVA 'MI'hal the practical ruin of the ISL
0n ~ lay IN sight, but how far distant no
"e oould venture to conjecture.
destruction of the Maine.
Ar a. ms luncture, on the 18th. of Febru-
has,, l"S. occurred the destruction of the
m nv ip Maine, While rightfully lying
nj ,.e haFoor OF Havana on a mission of
catss ,.%'Iohal courtesy and good will, a
horro~4 ophe the suspicious nature. and
profo',n =, which stirred the nations heart
the no.'N' 1t is striking evidence of
guisb pUiSe and sturdy good sense distin-
shocl.~s our national character that this
peonla DOW, falling upon a generous
cedinr already deeply touched by pre-
to events IN Cuba, did not move them
the piviate resolve to tolerate no longer
dsorSan eIce OF condition OF. danger and
Such d our doors that made possible
Yet ,ba ueed by whomsoever wrought.
The nat.a instinct of justice prevailed, and
Of the on anXiously awaited the result
On foot searching investigation at once set
Of inon;s Inc finding of the naval board
The EVIL established that the origin of
line mino was external by a subma-
Of poS; ;,ae' and only halted. through lack
hity ~ g testimony. to fix the RESPONSE
0f Its authorship.
ARATIONS FOR WAR.