The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-12-05
THE M ESS AC z.

THE M ESsAcE.
To the Senate and House Of Representa-
tiVes:
Notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered necessary by the war, our peo-
ble rejoice in very satisfactory anu
steadily increasing degree OF prosperity
evidenced by the largest volume OF dust
less ever recorded. Manufacture mas
cen productive, agricultural pursuits
have yielded abundant returns, LABOR IN
all fields OF industry is better rewarded,
revenue legislation passed by the present
congress has increased the treasury
receipts To the amount estimated py It's
authors; the finances OF the SoVerhiilehI
have been successfully administered ana
It's credit advanced to the first rank.
while its currency has been maintained
at the worlds highest standard. Mill
.ary service under a common nag ana LOT
q righteous Cause has strengthened the
national spirft and served TO cement more
closely than ever the fraternai ponds De-
tween every section OF the country.
A review OF the relation OF the United
States 10 ether powers, always appro-
pirate, Is this year of primary importance
In view of the Rlomentous issues Whlch
have arisen, Demanding in one instance
the ultimate determlpation oy arms ana
involving far-reaching consequences
which will require the earnest attention
OF the congress.
In my last annual message very iuli
consideration was given to the question
OF the duty Of the government OF the
United States toward Spain and the Gu
ban insurrection as being by far the most
lmportant problem with which we nave
been called upon to deal. The considera-
tions then advapced, 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 inadmissable.
the recognition OF the independence or
Cuba. neutral Intervention 10 end the
war by impceng rational compromise
between the,oSrtestants, intervention In
favor of one OF the other party. and
forcible annexation of the island. con-
Cluded IL was honestly due TO our frienc-
ly relations with Spain that she should
be given reasonable chance 10 realize
her expectations of reform to which she
had become irrevocably committed.
Within a few weeks previously she had
announced comprehensive plans which ii
ives confidently asserted would be efiica-
cious TO remedy the evils so deeply al
fecting our own country so injurious TO
the true interests OF the mother country
as well as to those OF Cuba. and so re-
pugnant TO the universal sentiment or
humanity.
The ensuing month brought little sign
of real progress toward the pacihcation
of Cuba.
In the capital and some Of the principal
cities appeared not TO gain the favor
OF the inhabitants nor to be able to ex-
tend their influence 20 the largest extent
OF territory held by the insurgents. while
the military arm, obviously unable to
cone with the still active rebellion. con-
tinued many OF the most objectionable
and offensive policies OF the government
that had preceded 1t. No tangible relief
was afforded the vast numbers OF un-
happy reconcentrados. despite the re-
iterated prctestationS made In that re-
gard and the amount appropriated by
Spain to that end. The preferred ex-
pedient of E1nes OF cultivation proved
illusory; indeed, no less practical nor
more delusiVe promises of succor could
we'll have been rendered TO the exhausted
and destitute people. stripped Of all that
made life and home dear herded in
ltrange region among unsympathetlc
strangers hardly less necessitous than
themselves.
By the end of December the mortality
among them had frightfully increased.
Conservative estimates from Spanish
sources place< the deaths among these
distressed people at over 40 percent
from the time General Weyler's decree OF
RECOMMENDATION was enforced With
the acuuiesence OF the Spanish authori-
ties n scheme was adopted for relief by
charitable contributions raised in this
country and distributed. under the diTec-
tions OF the consul general and the sew
eral consuls. by noble and earnest in
dividual effort throughout the organized
agencies OF the American Red Croes.
Thousands OF lives were thus saved but
many thousands more were inaccessible
60 such forms OF aid.
The war continued on the old footing
without comprehensive plan. developing
only the same spasmcdic encounters.
barren OF strategic result, that had
marked the course OF the earlier 10
years rebellion as we'll as the present in
surrection from It's start. No alternative
save physical exhaustion OF either com
blatant and Herewith tho practical ruin
Of the island lay I'm sight. hut how FAR
distant no one would venture 10 con-
lecture
Al this iuncturc. on Feb. ~ last. oc-
CURED tho destruction Of the battleship
Maine, while rlghtfully lying In the har-
byr Of Havana on "a mission Of interna-
tonal courtesy and good villa catas-
trophe the SUSPICIOUS nature and horror
az which stirred the nations heart pro-
foundly. N Is striking evidence of the
roise and sturdy good sense distinguish
ing our national character that this
shocking blow. falling upon a generous
people already deeply touched by pre-
cedinZ events IN Cuba. did not move them
60 instant desperate resolve 20 tolerate
no longer the existence Of q coIdltion OF
Canger ard disorder at our dSors that
made possible such deed. by whomso-
ever wrought Yet the inntinCt Of justice
prevailed. ard the ration anviously
awaited the result ~ the searching in
Ncstigation 10 once set on foot The
&ndIng OF the naval board Of inquiry