The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1898-12-09
ANNUAL MESSAGE
President Mckinley COMMUNE
Gates to Congress in the
Usual Form.
Information as to Past Events
and Advice as to Future
Ones.
REVIEW OF THE LATE WAR
Large Portion of the Document
Devoted to Our Recent
Troubles.
No recommendations at Pres
ent Regarding the Phil
+ ippineS.
To the Senate and House of Representa-

TO the Senate and House of Representa-
tiveS:
Notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered necessary by the war, our people
rejoice in a very satisfactory and steadily
increasing degree of prosperity evidenced
ty the largest volume of business ever re-
corded. Manufacture has been productive,
agricultural pursuits have yielded abund-
ant returns, labor in the fields of industry is
better rewarded, revenue legislation passed
by the present congress has increased the
treasury's receipts to the amount esti-
mated by its authors; the finances Of the
government have been successfully adj
ministered and it's credit advanced to the
first rank, while it's currency has been
maintained at the worlds highest stand
ard Military service, under a common
flag and for a righteous cause, has
strengthened the national spirit and
served 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 ap-
propriate, is this year of primary impor-
lance in view of the momentous issues
stance the ultimate determination by
arms and involving far reaching conse-
quences which will require the earnest at
eention of the congress.
In my last annual message very full
consideration was given to the question
of the duty of the government of the
United States towards Spain and the Gu
ban instruction as being by far the most
important problem with which we were
then called upon to deal.
The considerations then advanced and
the exposition of the views therein ex-
pressed, disclosed my sense of the extreme
gravity of the situation. Setting aside as
logically unfounded, or practically mad
1nissible, the recognition of the Cuban in
surgents as belligerents, the recognition
of independence of Cuba, as neutral inter-
vention to end war by imposing rational
compromise between the contestants, in
tervention in favor of one or the other
party and forcible annexation of
the island, 1 concluded it was
honestly due to our friendly relations
with Spain that she should be given
reasonable chance to realize her expecta-
tions of reform to which she had be-
come irrevocably committed. Within
few weeks previously she had announced
COMPREHENSIVE
IDENTIFY asserted would be efficacious to
remedy the evils so deeply affecting our
own country, so injurious to the true
interests of the mother country, as we'll
as to those of Cuba, and so repugnant to
the universal sentiment of humanity.
Little Sign of Real Progress.
The ensuing months brought little sign
of real progress toward the pacification of
MI - fa;, b;
Havana harbor and the suspicious nature
of the catastrophe made continuance of
the existing conditions impossible. New
ertheless, the instinct of justice prevailed
and the nation awaited the result of the
searching investigation set on foot. The
result of this Investigation was antici-
pated, even before the finding of the naval
court had been made public, and it needed
but brief executive suggestion for the
congress to appropriate $50 100000 ''for
the national defense and for each and
every purpose connected Herewith, to be
expended at the discretion of the presi-
dent"
The president then details the negotia-
lions with Spain to the end that war
might be averted and the attempt to re-
lieve the distress in Cuba.
Negotiations continued for some little
time at Madrid, resulting in offers by the
Spanish government which could not but
be regarded as inadequate. Grieved and
disappointed at this barren outcome of my
sincere endeavors to reach a practicable
solution, I felt it my duty to remit the
whole question to the congress.
Iagain reviewed the alternative course
of action which I had proposed, conclud-
dng that the only one consonant with in
tternational policy and compatible with
our firm-set historical traditions was in
,tervention as a neutral to- stop the war
and check the hopeless sacrifice of life,
even though that resort involved 'hostile
sconstraint upon both the parties to the
contest as well to enforce q truce as to
guide the eventual settlement"
Grounds of Justification.
The grounds justifying that step were
che interests of humanity; the duty to
protect life and property of our citizens
In Cuba; the right to check injury to our
commerce and people through the devas-
tation of the island, and, most important,
the need of removing at once and forever
the constant menace and the burdens en-
tailed upon our government by the uncer-
tainties and perils of the situation caused
by the uncomfortable disturbancein Cuba.
In view of all this the congress was
asked to authorize and empower the
president to take measures to secure a full
and final termination of hostilities be-
tween Spain and the people of Cuba and
to secure to the island the establishment
of IL stable government, capable of main
tanning order and observing its interna.
tional obligations, insuring peace and
tranquility and the security Of its citi-
gems as our own, and for the accomplish
ment of those ends to use the military and
naval forces of the United States as might
be necessary, with added authority to
continue generous relief to the starving
people of Cuba. tf3'
The president then reviews the debate
In congress upon the Cuban resolutions,
she notification sent to Spain and the
presenting of his passports to General
Wnodffr d The nroclamation of a stats