The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-12-14
MESSAGE TO
| LAWMAKERS
President M'Kinley Addresses
Congress on War and
Other Problems.
FOR MONETARY REFORMS

Increase Of the Standing Army to
1OO,OO Men and the Temporary
Continuance Of Military Rule In
New Possessions Favored.
WASHINGTON, Dec 5-On the convening
of congress today, President Mckinley
transmitted his annual III. 50 ,ge, which
follows:
To the Senate and House of Representa-
tives:
Notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered necessary By the war our people
rejoice in sery satisfactory and steadily
increasing degree Of prosperity evidenced
by the greatest volume of business ever
recorded. Manufacture has been pro-
ductiye, agricultural pursuits have
yielded abundant returns, labor in the
fields of industry is better rewarded, rev
enue legislation passed by the present
congress has increased the treasury's re-
ceipts to the amount expected by its au-
thors, the finances Of the government
have been successfully administered and
its credit advanced to the first rank, while
lCS currency HAS DeSL
worlds highest standard.
Military service under common flag
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 I tied
States to other powers always appropri-
ate, is this year of primary Importance IL
view Of the momentous issues which have
arisen, demanding in one instance the ul-
innate determination by arms and involv-
ing farreaching consequences which will
require the earnest attention of tie con-
gress.
First Steps In the War.
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 considera
tions then advanced ard the exposition OF
the views therein expressed disclosed my
sense OF the extreme gravity of the situa-
tion.
Setting aside as logically untoundcd or
practically advisable. the recognition OF
the independence of Cuba. neutral inter
ventiou TO end the war by imposing re-
tional compromise between the contest
ants, intervention in favor OF one or the
other party, and forcible annexation OF
the island, / concluded it was honestly
due to our friendly relations with Spain
that she should lie given a reasonable
chance to realize her expectations of re-
form to which she had become irrevoca-
bly, committed.
The ensuing month brought little sign
of real progress toward the paclilcatloa
of Cuba. No tangible relief was afforded
the vast numbers of unhappy reconcen-
trados despite the reiterated professions
made in that regard 1nd the amount ap-
propriated by Spain to that en- |. BY the
end of December the Mortality among
them hal frightfullv increased. Conserv-
ative estimates from Spanish sources
placed the deaths among these distressed
people at over 40 per cent from the time
General Weyler's decree Of reconcentra-
tion was enforced.
The war continued on the old footing
without comprehensive plan, developing
only the same spasmodic encounters, bar
rem OF strategic result, that had marked
the course of the earlier ten years rebel
hon, as we'll rs the present insurrectio2
from it's start. No alternative save phys
ical exhaustion of either combatant and
therewithal the practical ruin of the
island lay in sight. but how far distant nc
one could venture to conjecture.
Blowing Up of the Maine.
At this iuncture on Feb. Is. last, oc-
Cured the destruction of the battleship
Maine. while rightfully lying in the har.