The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-12-13

Washington, Dec 6.-President McI<in-
ley's second annual message, submitted
to congress yesterday, contains about
twenty thousand words. Following is
brief synopsis-including some direct .ex-
cerptS of the more important features
of the messages:
To the Senate and House of Represen-
Notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered necessary by the war, our people
rejoice in a very satisfactory and steadily
by the largest volume of business ever
recorded. Manufacture has been pro-
ductive, agricultural pursuits have yield
ed abundant returns, labor in all fields of
industry is better rewarded; revenue leg
islation passed by the present congress
has increased the treasurys receipts to
the amount estimated by it's authors; the
finances of tho government have been
successfully administered and it's credit
advanced to the first rank; while it's cur
rency has been maintained a. the worlds
highest standard. Military service under
a common flag and for a righteous cause
has strengthened the national spirit and
served to cement more closely than ever
the fraternal bonds between every section
of the country"
In reviewing the controversy which led
up to the war with Spain, tie president
takes up the thread of narrative where it
terminated in his last annual message.
He concluded: 1T was honestly due to
our friendly relations with Spain that she
should be given a reasonable chance to
realize her expectations of reform TO
which she had become irreVocably COM
mitted.''
1t became evident however, that the
proposed plans were barren of good re-
suits. No tangible relief was afforded the
reconcentrados, among whom the rate of
ferred expedient of zones of cultivation
proved illusory; and it was apparent that
Spain or the 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. Con-
corning it, the president says -.
and sturdy good sense Distinguishing our
national character that this unlool1ed-for
blow, falling upon a generous people, al
ready deeply, touched by preceding events
in Cuba, did not move them to an IN
stant desperate resolve to tolerate
longer the existence of a condition of dam
ger and disorder at our doors that made
possible such deed, by Whomsoever
wrought"
Resumng the war narrative the presi-
dent directs attention to the measures, in
Guiding the $50,000,000 appropriation for
national defense taken to place the coun-
try on a war footing, and adds: ut is
sufficient to say that the outbreak of war,
when it did come found our nation not
unprepared to meet the conflict"
Reference is made to the apprehension
of coming strife by the Continental pow
ers, voiced in the address to the president
through their ambassadors and ENJOYS;
peaceful solution of the difficulty, and
relaxed no eort to bring about a speedy
ending of the Cuban struggle Negotia
tons with the Madrid government proved
futile, so far as practical results were
concerned. and when the president pre-
scented the question to congress, saying:
I'm the name of humanity, in the name
American interests. which give us the
right and duty to speak. and to act, the
war in Cuba must stop.
The Declaration of War.
The result of this statement of the case
was the adoption of the memorable joint
resolution by congress declaring the pur-
tween the Spanish ard Cubans Follow
ing swiftly upon the enactment of the res
relations between the two countries, the
proclamation of a blockade of Cuban
ports the calling for. volunteers and the
formal declaration of the existence of .
state of war All other governments
were Immediately notified of the existence
of war, and each proclaimed neutrality.
cit is not among the least gratifying in
cidents of the struggle, that the obii@a-
lions of neutrality were impartlally dis
charged by all often under most delicate
and difficult circumstances.
The president reviews at length the
work of preparation for war, referring
particularly to the enlistment of the. vol
unteerS; to the material increase of the
navy in both men and ships and to the
precautionary measures taken for the
cities.
s"The aggregate number of mines placed
was 1885, in the principal harDorS, from
Maine to California
Referring to "the d ff1cult and important
character of the work performed by the
signal corps. the president says:
t'ThiS service was invaluable to the eX-
ecutive in directing the operations of the
army and navy. With a total force of
over 1900, the loss was by disease, in
camp and field, officers and men included,
only five"
AS to the authorized loan of 5000 000O 600,
which was taken entirely by small bid
derS, the president says:
This was a most encouraging and sig
niicant result showing tie vast reSoUrC eS
of the nation and the determin ation of the
people to uphold their country's honor
Taking up chronologically the events of
the war the president reviews them care
fully The first encounter was the she'll
ing of Matanzas, on April p. This was
followed by an engagement which was
destined to mark a memorable epoch in
dore Dewey's wonderful victory at Ma
Mia on May l. ''The effect of this remark
able victory" says the president, upon
the spirit of our people and upon the
tige of invincibility thereby attached to
our arms which continued throughout the
struggle"
The president says that 'only reluc-
property prevented the early storming
and capture of the city (Manila), and
Herewith the absolute military occupan-
cy of the whole Philippines group.
battleship Oregon from San Francisco to
Key West and the bombardm ent OF san
Juan and the forts of Santiago, to which
special reference is made, the president
says VS. -. :, a. 40, +br;,,oa not
alone the hearts of our countrymen. but