The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-12-21
MESSAGE 70 CONGRESS
TERSE REVIEW OF THE PRESENT
SITUATION.
for Increased Army
and Navy-Relations With Spain
and Other Foreign Countries.

President McKinley's message in
the first part deals with the history of
the war with Spain. 1t commences
with the Cuban question as IT stood at
the time of the last message, and then
proceeds to recapitulate the national
effect of the loss of the Maine, the
efforts of the executive to prevent war.
The preparations made for war, when
it seemed inevitable, are detailed, and
show how well prepared the nation
was when hostilities commenced. Inc
army amounted to 100000 volunteers,
the regulars were raised to full
strength. the navy numbered 24,123
men and 1913 vessels were added by
purchase to the fleet. one was present
ed, one leased and four chartered.
The President then proceeds to
sketch the proceedings of the war,
which is done in mastery and con-
else manner, and praise is given to
individual officers and to the naval
and military forces engaged. \ de-
served compliment is paid to the work
of the Red Cross in a special para
graph. This portion of the message
concludes with the terms of the pro-
tocol and a reference to the territory
newly acquired from Spain. but this
the President does not discuss at large
considering that it will only be prop
err to enter on the subject after the
treaty of peace is signed.
The next portion of the message
deals with relations with other ma
tions, commencing with affairs in
Central America, which naturally
/ Lei, n.
this the President says:
That the construction of such a
maritime highway is now more than
ever Indispensable to that intimate
and ready intercommunication be-
tween our eastern and western sea.
boards demanded by the annexation
of the Hawaiian Islands and the pros
pective expansion of our influence and
commerce to the Pacific. and that oul
national policy now more imperative
! ly than ever calls for its control by
| this government are propositions
| which. | doubt not. the Congress viii
duly appreciate and act wisely upon.
The American interests in the Fan
| East are dwelt upon. The coming
Paris exhibition and the necessity O
more funds for display is urged. Ger
man restrictions upon American pro
ducts are considered and some compli
mentary things are said of the rela
tons with Great Britain.
Six paragraphs are devoted to Ha
waiian annexation and the Hawaiian
Commission. The first three deal will
the act of annexation and the tire
others with the report of the com
mission which the President urge
should have earnest consideration. $
The peace proposal of the Gar, tn
Samoan situation, claims against Tul
key. are reviewed. and then the mes
sage deals with home affairs. Tn
finances of the government are review
ed, and the power of the government
to maintain the present gold standar
is shown. 1t is recommended that tn
regular army should be increased +
100000 men, and as soon as Congress
passes the bill the remainder of tn
volunteer army will be mustered out
An increase in the navy is also recon
mended of three battleships, tire
protected cruisers and six smalle
cruisers. Lastly public lands and II
dian affairs are considered and tn
suggestion is made that there be
centennial celebration of the foundin
of the city of Washington.