The Monmouth inquirer., 1898-12-08
PRESIDENT MESSAGE
3 the senate and House Of Represent

dLlNCSe
notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered necessary by the war our peo-
pie rejoice in vefy satisfactory ana
steadily Increasing degree of prosperity
evidenced by the largest volume OF pusl-
ness ever recorded. Manufacture mas
been productive, agricultural pursuits
have yielded abundant returns, labor IN
all fields of industry is better rewarded
revenue legislation passed by the pres
ent congress has increased the treasu-
ry's receipts to the amount estimated
by its authors, the finances of the gov
ernment have been successfully admin
istered and it's credit advanced to the
first rank, while its currency has peen
maintained at the worlds highest stand
ard. Military service under common
flag and for a righteous cause mas
strengthened the national spirit ana
served to cement more closely than
ever the fraternal bonds between every
section of the country.
A review of the relation of the United
States to other powers, always appro-
pirate, is this year of primary lmpor-
tance in view of the momentous issues
which have arisen, demanding in one
instance the ultimate determination by
arms and involving farreaching conse-
ouences, which will require the earnest
attention of the congress.
In my last annual message very full
consideration was given to the ques-
ton of the duty of the government OF
the United States toward Spain and the
Cuban insurrection as being by far the
most important problem with which we
have been called upon to deal. The con-
siderations then advanced and the ex-
position Of the views therein expressed
disclosed my sense of the extreme grav-
ity of the situation.
spain's Due.
Setting aside as logically unfounded
or practically inadmissible the recog-
milton of the Cuban insurgents as bel
1igerents, the recognition of the inde-
pendence of Cuba, neutral intervention
to end the war by imposing rational
compromise between the contestants,
other party and forcible annexation
of the island, I concluded it was
honestly due to our friendly relations
with Spain that she should be given a
reasonable chance to realize her expec-
tations of reform, to which she had be-
come irrevocably committed. Within a
few weeks previously she had an
nounced comprehensive plans which it
was confidently asserted would be effica-
cious to remedy the evils so deeply af-
fecting our own country, so injurious to
the true interests of the mother coun-
try as well as to those of Cuba, and so
repugnant to the universal sentiment
Of humanity.
The ensuing month brought little sign
Of real progress toward the pacification
of Cuba. The autonomous administra-
ton set up in the capital and some of
the principal cities appeared not to gain
the favor of the inhabitants nor to be
able to extend their influence to the
large extent of territory held by the in
surgents, while the military arm, OBJ
viously unable to cope with the still
active rebellion, continued many of the
most Objectionable and offensive pOli-
ciese of the government that had preced-
ed IT. The war continued on the old
footing without comprehensive plan,
developing only the same spasmodic en-
counters barren of strategic result,
that had marked the course of the ear
lier ten years rebellion as well as the
present insurrection from it's start. No
alternative save physical exhaustion OF
either combatant and therewithal the
practical ruin of the island lay in sight,
but how far distant. no one could ven
ture to conjecture
The Maine's Destruction.
At this juncture, on the 18th of Febru-
ary last, occurred the destruction of the
battIeshfp Maine while rightfully lying
in the harbor of Havana on a mission
Of international courtesy and good will
Ia catastrophe the suspicious nature
and horror of which stirred the nations
heart profoundly Yet the instinct of
justice prevailed. and the nation anx-
iously awaited the result of the search
ing investigation at once set on foot
The finding of the naval board of in
quiry established that the origin of the
explosion was external. by a submarine
mine, and only halted through lack OF
positive testimony to fix the response
bility Of its authorship.
All these things carried conviction to
the most thoughtful. even before the
finding of the naval court, that a crisis
in cur relations with Spain and toward
Cuba was at hand. So strong was this
belief that it needed but brief exec
utive suggestion to the congress to re-
ceive immediate answer to the duty OF
making instant provision for the possi-
BILE and perhaps probable emergency Of
war, and the remarkable, almost unique,
spectacle was presented of a unanimous
vote OF both houses on the 9Th of March
approprfating s5oOoO,00O "for the ma
tional defense and for each and every
purpose connected Herewith. to be ex-
pended at the discretion Of the presi-
dent
That this act OF provision came none
too soon was disclosed when the appli-
cation of the fund was undertaken
Our coasts were practically undefend-
ed. Our navy needed large provision
for increased ammunition and supplies
and even numbers to cope with any
sudden attack from the navy Of Spain,
which comprised modern vessels of the