Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-12-07
RESIDENTS MESSAGE
A Critical Review Of the War
with Spain.
NO POLICY OUTLINED.
Executive Says We Must Await Sign
ing of Treaty Before Dis
Cussion Begins.

10 the SENATE ana House OF RepreSen-
tatives: Notwithstanding the added bur
dens rendered necessary by the war, our
people rejoice in q very satisfactory and
notwithstanding degree of prosperity,
evidenced by the largest volume of bust
ness ever recorded. Manufacture has
been 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'S re-
ceipts to the amount estimated by it's
authors; the finances of the government
have been successfully administered and
its credit advanced to the first rank,
while its currency has been maintained
at the worlds highest standard. Military
| service under a common flag and for a
righteous cause has strengthened the ma
tional spirit and served to cement more
closely than ever the fraternal bonds be-
tween every section of the country.
In reviewing the controversy which led
up to the war with Spain, the President
takes up the thread of narrative where it
terminated in his last message. He con-
Guided: 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 1rreyocably 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
mortality frightfully increased, the prof
fered expedient of zones OF cultivation
proved illusory and it was apparent that
nothing save the physical exhaustion of
Spain or the Cubans and the practical ruin
of the island of Cuba could result from
the struggle then III progress.
Destruction of the Maine.
At this critical juncture, the destruc-
ton of the battleship Maine occurred.
Concerning it the President said: 1t is
4 striking evidence of the poise and
sturdy good sense distinguishing our ma
tional character that this shocking blow
falling upon generous people, already
deeply touched by preceding events IN
Cuba, did not move them to an instant
desperate resolve TO tolerate no longer the
existence Of an end of danger and dis
order at cur doors that made possible
such deed, by whomsoever wrought
ReSuming the war narrative, the PreSl-
dent directs attention to the measures
including the S50,000,000 appropriation
for national defense. taken to place the
country on Il war footing. and adds: 1T
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
dent through their ambassadors and en-
voyS. and to the Presidents reuly there
to. Still animated, however, by the hope
of a peaceful solution of the difficulty and
Obeying the dictates of duty, the Presi-
dent relaxed no effort to bring about
speedy ending Of the Cuban struggle
Negotiations with the Madrid government
proved futile SO far practical results
were concerned, and then it was that
the President presented the question TO
Congress, saying:
I'm the name of humanity. in the name
of civilization, in behalf of endangered
American interests which give Us the
right and duty to speak. and to act, the
war in Cuba must stop
The result of this statement of the case
was the adoption Of the memorable Joint
resolution by Congress. declaring the pur
pose of the United States to intervene
| between the Spaniards and Cubans.
Following swiftly upon the enactment
of the resolution came the severance of
diplomatic relations between the two
countries, the proclamation Of a blockade
of Cuban ports. the call for volunteers,
and the formal declaration of the exist
ence of a state of war. All other govern
| ments were Immediately notified of the
existence of war and each proclaimed
neutrality.
ut is not among the least gratifying
| incidents of the struggle that the obliga-
| tons of neutrality were impartially dis
! charged by all, often under delicate and
difficult circumstances" remarks the
| President.
Critical Review of the War.
] 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 III both men and ships and to the
| precautionary measures taken for the pro-
cctj of hn hos and n1Sta nd off
THE aggregate number of mines placed
was 1885, at the principal harbors from
! Maine to California"
Referring to 1.-The difficult and important
! character of the work performed by the
| signal corps, the President says: This
service was invaluable to the executive 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"
J AS to the authorized loan of $200,O00,-
J O00 which was taken entirely by small
| bidders, the President says: This was a
| most encouraging and significant result,
showing the vast resources of The nation
and the determination of the people to up
| hold their country'S honor"
Taking up chrOnologically the events of
| the war, the President reviews them care
| fully. The first encounter was the shell
ing of Matanzas on April q. This was
|
destined to mark q memorable epoch III
maritime warfare" This was Commo-
dore Dewey's wonderful victory at
Manila on May /. 'The effect of
this remarkable victory" says the
President, upon the spirit Of our peo-
| pie and on the fortunes of war was in
slant A prestige of invincibility thereby
attached to our arms, which continued
| throughout the struggle
The President says that ''on!y reluct-
ance to cause needless loss of life and
| property prevented the early storming
| and capture of the city Manila) and
Herewith the absolute military occupancy
Of the whole group"
Lieut.. Hobson's Exploit.
Following the memorable trip of the
battleship Oregon from San Francisco
| TO Key West and the bombardment of
| San Juan and the forts or Santiago,
| to which special reference is made, the
| President says: ''The next act IN the
war thrilled not alone the hearts of our
! countrymen but the world by its excep-
tional heroism. On the night of June
| Lieut.. Hobson, aided by seven volunteers,
| blocked the outlet from Santiago harbor
| by sinking the collier Merrimac in the