The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-06
THE RESIDENTS MESSAGE,

President Mckinley confines his mes
sage largely TO "A simple narration o. the
causes leading up to the war with Spain
and the incidents Of the war. 1t is
very clear and concise statements or the
facts and is a valuable contribution to
current history The President does not
undertake. to settle any disputes that have
arisen between the commanders OF the
naval forces and the commanders Of the
Hand forces as TO who won the battles,
but in general terms pays a high tribute
10 the courage and heroism and patriot
ism Of officers and men without invidious
distinctions.
We are interested to note that in citing
The grounds OF justification fer our war
with Spain he mentions as more inn
portant than all the necessity for dis
posing of the Cuban question which for
so long a time had been agitating the
people Of the United States. Ii is signih-
cant that in the estimation Of the Presi-
dent tits phase of the question Is more
important than our hgh-sounding de-
claration about war for humanity's
sake The fact Of the business is that
this Is about the only peg that the add
ministration now has to stand upon and
1he President is doing the best that he
can. our war for humanitys sake and
for the liberation Of the Cuban patriots,
in the light of recent events, turns out
10 be more or less farcical The poor
rcconcertradoes whom we set about TO
deliver Jared very much worse by reason
of the war than they would have Jared
IL there had been no war ana as some
body said after the war was over this
question was eliminated because there
were no reconcentradoes--an having
persisted. As for the Cuban patriots the
less said about them the better. And so
the only good reason that can now be
assigned FOR waging this war is that the
Cuban question had been annoying the
people OF this country fon. so long time
that II was necessary by force Of arms
10 retire g. But IL win be observed tha'
that reason Is purely practicai-and ousl-
ness-like without any high-sounding pre-
tonces And so. in days 10 come wheh
our boys and girls arc questioned as TO
the reason for this war With Spain they
will answer. on authority Of the Presi-
dent. that IL was wagcd to rid ourselves
OF an annoyance.
The President insists that we shall es-
tablish a good government In Cuba ana
tha, we shall cultivate the most friendly
Ia lf
az II will cleary be to our Interest 10 90
SO. AS 10 the Philippines he dismisses
that great question in few words de-
claring ana it must be confessed very
properly so. that until the peace treaty
with Spain shall nave been signed, At
would DO improper for the administration
20 Indicate any line of policy with re-
ference to those islands. We suppose
thar The President will make this the
subject % a special message hereafter
but his reference in another place TO t"'
irrespective expansion OF our influence
In the Pacific" indicates very clearly the
bent Of his mind. Perhaps in that mes
sage the President will be good enough
10 point out the logic OF grabbing these
possessions es a result of war ina
was waged for humanity's sake and L
rid ourselves OF the Cuban annoyance.
In this connection the President speaks
most amiably of the Cars proposi'loi
10 disarm. but at the same time he urge
that we Increase our standing army ant
add ships 10 our navy.
suitable recognition is made Of IN
kindly Offices OF Great Britain during on
war with Spain. and the reference Is 81
dollcaiely made as nOt 10 give ohenc
10 Spain or any other continental! power
The President who has ever been
prince among pro,ccuonists. and VIII
mas never before lost an opportunity Z
exploit that doctrine, leaves protection
out OF his message. and instead Of tn
usual dissertation on the great value o
a .'home market" speaks enthusiasticail
of our growing trade abroad and the ne
cessity OF opening up the markets of tn
world 10 American commerce, 40 that "
may 10 and occupy them. This is sil
nifcant.
The President makes one and only ont
b,ief alusion TO the currency question
lie says:
'.rbe Secretary Of the Treasury r.