The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-12-08
TEXT OF THE MESSAGE.

rcvfTSnE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ana offers
humble prayer for the continuance OF
B.s favor
The annihilation of Admiral Ger
Nera's fleet, followed by the capitula-
tton of Santiago having brought to the
Spanish government realizing sense
of the hopelessness of continuing q
struggle, now become wholly unequal,
II made overtures of peace through the
French Ambassador, who with the as
sent of his government had acted as
the friendly representative of Spanish
interests during the war On the 26th
of July M. Cambon presented a COM
munication signed by the Duke of AL
modovar, the Spanish Minister of
State, inviting the United States to
state the terms upon which 1t would
De willing to make peace. On the S0th
or July, by communication addressed
10 the Duke of Almodovar and handed
to M. Cambon, the terms of this Gov
ernment We're announced, substantially
as in the protocol afterward signed
On the 10th of August the Spanish re-
piy dated August was handed by NJ
Cambon to the Secretary of State. 1t
accepted Internationally the terms i'm
posed as to Cuba, Porto Rico and an
Island of the Ladrones group, but ap-
peared to seek to Introduce inadmis-
sible reservations in regard to QUE de-
mand as to the Philippine Islands
point could neither be practical nor
profitabla l directed that in erder to
avoid misunderstanding the matter
should be forthwith closed by propos-
ing the embodiment in formal pro-
tocol of the terms upon which the ne
EQUATIONS for peace were to be under
taken. The vague and inexplicit sug-
Eestions of the Spanish note could not
be accepted, the only reply being to
present as virtual ultimatum draft
of protocol embodying the precise
terms rendered to Spain in our note of
July 30, with added stipulations of de-
tall as to the appointment of Commits
s1oners to arrange for the evacuation
or the Spanish Antilles. On August IL
ma. Cambon announced his receipt of
his full powers to sign the protocol so
submitted, so accordingly on the after
noon of August II NJ. Cambon as the
Pienipotentiary of Spain, and the Sec
retary of State as the Plenipotentiary
on the United States, signed a protocol
Immediately on the conclusion of the
protocol l issued a proclamation of Aug.
IL suspending hostilities on the part Of
the United States.
Pursuant to the fifth article of the
protocol, l appointed William r. Day,
lately Secretary of State; Cushman K
Gray, Senators of the United States,
and Whitelaw Reid to be the Peace
Commissioners on the part of the
United States. Proceeding in due sea-
son to Paris, they there met on the 1st
of October five Commissioners similarly
appointed on the part of Spain. Their
negotiations have made hopeful prog
ress, SO that / trust soon to be able to
lay a definite treaty Of peace before the
Senate, with review of the steps lead
ing to it's signature.
/ do not discuss at this time the gov
ernment or the future of the new pos
sessiors which will come to US as the
result of the war with Spain. Such dis
cussion will be appropriate after the
treaty of peace shall be ratified. In the
meantime, aSd until the Congress has
legiSlated otherwise, 1t will be my duty
to continue the military governments
which have existed since our occupancy
and give to the people security in life
and property and encouragement under
just and beneficent rule.
AS soon as we are in possession of
Cuba and have pacified the island, it
will be necessary to give aid and direc-
ton to its people to form a govern
ment for themselves. This should be
undertaken at the earliest moment con-
sistent with safety and assured success.
1t is important that our relations with
this people shall be of the most friendly
character and our commercial relations
close and reciprocal. 1t should be our
duty to assist In every proper way to
build up the waste places of the island,
encourage the industry OF the people,
and assist them to form a government
which shall be free and independent,
thus realizing the best aspirations of
the Cuban people. Spanish rule must
be replaced by just, benevolent and
humane government, created by the
people of Cuba, capable of performing
all international obligations, and which
shall encourage thrift, industry and
prosperity, and promote peace and good
will among all of the inhabitants, what
ever may have been their relations in
the past. Neither revenge nor passion
should have place in the new Govern
ment. Until there is complete tran
guilty in the island and a stable gov
eminent inapgurated military occupa-
ton will be continued.
With the one exception of the rupture
with Spain, the Intercourse of the
United States with the great family of
nations has been marHed with cor
diality, and the close of the eventual
year finds most of the issues that neces-
sarily arise in the complex relations Of
sovereign States adjusted, or presenting
no serious obstacle to a just and hon
orable solution by am!cable agreement.
The Nicarauga Canal Commission,
under the craftsmanship of Rear Ad-
miral John c. Walker, appointed July
"a, 1897, under the authority of a pro-
vision in the Sundry Civil act of June
of that year, has nearly completed Its
labors, and the results of its exhaustive
inquiry into the proper route the feast
bility and the cost of construction of an
inter-oceanic canal by a Nicaraguan
route will be laid before you. That the
construction of such a maritime high
way is now more than ever indispensa-
BILE to that ultimate and ready inter-
communication between our Eastern
and Western seaboards demanded by
the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands
and the prospective expansion of our
influence and commerce in the Pacific,
and that our national policy now more
imperatively than ever calls for it's con-
troll by this Government, are PROPOSE
tions which l doubt not the Congress
will duly appreciate and wisely act
upon.
The United States has not been an in
different spectator of the extraordinary
events transpiring in the Chinese En-
pire, whereby portions of its maritime
provinces are passing under the control
of various European powers; but the
prospect that the vast commerce which
the energy of our citizens and the ne
.essity of our staple productions for