The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1898-12-08
To the Senate and House of Representa-.


Notwithstanding the added burdens rer
dered necessary by the war. our people re
Joicc in n very satisfactory and steadil
increasing degree of prosperity evidence
tS the largest volume of business ever re
corded. Manufacture has been produC
tive. agricultural pursuits have yielde
abundant returns, labor in the. fields o
industry is better rewarded. revenue lesis
lation passed by the present Congress ha'
increased the treasury's receipts to tn
amount estimated by its authors, tlf
finances OF the Government have 9cet
successfully administered. and ITS credi
advanced to the first rank, while it has
been maintained at the worlds highes
standard. Military scrTice under com
mon flag and for q righteous cause has
strengthened the national spirit and serv
ed to cement more closely than ever the
fraternal bonds between every section OF
the country. A review of the relations OF
the United States to other powers. always
appropriate. is this year of primary impor
tance. in view of the momentous issues
which have arisen. demanding in one in
stance the ultimate determination by arms
and involving far-reaching consequences
which will require the earnest attention OF
the Congress.
Failure of Autonomy in Cuba.
In my last annual message very full con-
sideration was given to the question OF the
duty of the Government of the United
States toward Spain and the Cuban insur-
rection as being by far the most important
problem with which we were then called
upon TO DEAL concluded it was honestly
due TO our friendly relations with Spain
that she should be given n reasonable
chance to realize her expectations Of re-
form to which she had become irrevocably
The ensuing month brought little sign of
real progress toward the pacihcation of
Cuba by the autonomous administration.
No tangible relief was afforded the vast
of unhappy reconcentrados. and
by the end of December the mortality
among them had frightfully increased.
With the acQuiescence of the Spanish au-
thorities scheme was adopted for relief
by charitable contributions raised in this
Thousands of lives were thus
saved, but the war continued on the old
footing without comprehensive plan. No
alternative save physical exhaustion Of
either combatant and therewithal the
practical ruin of the island lay In sight.
Destruction of the Maine.
At this juncture, on the 10Th of Febru-
ary last. occurred the destruction of the
Maine. while .ightfnlly lying
N the harbor of Havana-a catastrophe,
he suspicious nature and horror of which
stirred the nations heart profoundly. Yet
he instinct of justice prevailed and the
nation anxiously awaited the result of the
investigation at once set on foot.
rhc finding of the naval board of inquiry
that the origin of the explosion
vas external by a submarine mine, and
'nly halted through lack of positive testi-
nony TO fix the responsibility of its author
hip.
All these things carried conviction to
he most thoughtful, even before the find
ngs of the naval court, thaka crisis in
ur relations with Spain and toward Cuba
vas at hand. So strong was this belief
hat it needed but brief executive sug-
estion to the Congress to receive immedi
tie answer to the duty of making instant
peedily probable emergency of war. The
etails of the hurried preparation for the
readed contingency is told in the reports
f the Secretaries of War and of the
'avy. 1t is sufficient to say that the out |
reak of war. when it did come, found |
ur nation not unprepared 10 meet the |
onfict.
Negotiations with Spain.
Still. animated by the hope of peaceful |
Dlution and obeying the dictates of duty, |
o effort was relaxed to bring about |
peedy ending of the Cuban struggle. Ne
citations to this object continued active
: with the Government of Spain, looking !
, the immediate conclusion of six |
lonths' armistice in Cuba, with view to |
fleet the recognition of her peoples right |
, independence. Negotiations continued |
,r some little time at Madrid. resulting
offers by the Spanish Government
hich could not but be regarded as made
uate. Grieved and disappointed at this
arren outcome of my sincere endeavors
} reach a practical solution. felt it my
uty to remit the whole question to the
ongress. In the message of April II.
S9S. reviewed the alternative course Of
ction which / had proposed. concluding
lat the only one consonant with interna-
onal policy and compatible with our firm
It historical traditions was Intervention
neutral TO stop the war and check the
,peless sacrifice of life.
In view of all this. the Congress was
;ked to authorize and empower the Pres
ent to take measures 30 secure a full
nd final termination of hostilities be-
veen Spain and tia people of Cuba. and
secure in the island the establishment
a stable government.
Congress Declares War.
The response of the Congress. after
ne days of earnest deliberation. during
hich the almost unanimous sentiment of
'ur body was developed on every point
We as to the expediency of coupling the
opposed action with n formal recogni-
,n of the Republic of Cuba as the true
I'd lawful government of that island
proposition which failed of adoption--l
@ Congress. after conference, April 10.
a vote of a. to 50 in the Senate and 3iI
6 in the House of Representatives.
ssed the memorable joint resolution, de-
airing war.
This resolution was approved by the
ecutive on the next day, April 20. A
py was at once communicated to the
'ansh minister at this capital who
rthwith announced that his continuance
Washington had thereby become impos-
Die. and asked for his passports. which
sre given him. He thereupon withdrew
ON Washington. leaving the protection
Spanish interests in the United States {
the French ambassador and the Aus
,-Hungarian minister. simultaneously
tn its communication TO the Spanish :
mister. Gen. Woodford, the American
mister at Madrid. was telegraphed con-
nation of the text of the joint resolu-
N and directed to communicate it TO !
e Government of Spain, with the formal ;
mand that it at once relinquish its au- t
GRITTY and government IN the Island of }
lba and withdraw its forces therefrom.
ipling this demand with announcements
the intentions of this Government as to
e future of the island, in conformity !
tn the fourth clause of the resolution,
d giving Spain until noon of April 23 {
reply. II
The demand, although. as above shown, ;