The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-12-07
-esul.. and teach us to weigh the awful

result. and teach us TO weigh the awful
cost of war.
With the fall of Santiago the occnpa-
ton of Porto Rico became the next strait
egic necessity. Gen. Miles on July %
entered Ponce. from which be thereafter
directed operations for the capture of the
island.
The last scene Of the war was enacted
at Manila, its starting place, on August
l5 After brief assault upon the works
by the land forces, in which the squad
ron assisted, the capital surrendered un-
eonditionally. 1t is fitting that ! should
bear testimony to the patriotism aud de-
votion of that large portion OF our army
which, although eager 10 be ordered to
the post of greatest exposure, fortunately
was not required outside of the United
States They did their whole duty and
have earned the gratitude of the nation.
THE PEACE NEG oTIATIoNs-
The aunihilation of Admiral Cervera's
fleet followed by the capitulation of San
tiago. having brought to the Spanish
government a realizing sense of the
hopelessness of continuing struggle now
become unequal, il made overtures of
peace.
The Porto Rico joint committee speed
lily accomplished its task and by the 18th
of October the evacuation of the island
was completed. The Cuban joint commits
sion has not yet completed its labOrs, ow-
ing to the difficulties of removing the
Cnariof, t-oo.s sba ax-oo,,aff,,, ,a,rof la
completed until the first of January next
The peace commissioners Of the United
States proceeding to Paris, there met on
the first of October, five commissioners
similarly appointed on part of Spain.
Their negotiations have made hopeful
progress so that trust soon to be able
TO lay definiiive treaty of peace before
the Senate with review of the stress
leading to the signature. / do not discuss
at this time the government or the future
of the new possessions which viii come
TO us as the result Of the war with Spain.
Such discussion will be appropriate after
the treaty of peace shall be ratified.
About half of the message is devoted
to the relations of the United States with
the nations of the world other than
Spain.
The Nicaraguan canal commission has
nearly completed its labors and the re-
suits will be laid before Congress. In
view of the overtures made TO Nicaragua
and Costa Riea by other parties for a new
canal commission, the President has not
hesitated 10 express conviction that con-
siderations of expediency and inter
national policy between the several gov
ernments interested in the canal require
the maintenance Of the status quo until
Congress shall pass finally upon the
whole matter. The construction Of such
maritime highway is now more than
ever indispensable to that intimate and
ready inter communication between our
eastern and western seaboards.
The alien contract law is shown by ex-
perienee to need some amendment for the
better protection proposed; the right
full application of the eight-hour law for
the benefit of labor and Of the principle
of arbitration are suggested for consider
alton and these subjects are recommend
ed to the careful attention of Congress.
The several department reports will be
laid before you. They give in detail the
conduct of affairs of the government dur
ing the past year. and discuss many
questions upon which the Congress may
feel inclined to act.