Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-12-05
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Washington, Dec. 5.-The president
message is very long, nearly 25.0O(
words. and consists, in the create,
| part, of review of the war and the in.
| cidents leading up to it. At the outset
| the president says:
STEADILY INCREASING PROSPER.
| ITY.
| Notwithstanding the added burdens
| rendered necessary by the war, the peo,
| pie are able to rejoice in a very salts
| FACTORY and steadily increasing pros
| perity, as evidenced by the largest vol
ume of business ever recorded Every
manufacture has been productive, agri.
cultural pursuits have yielded abun-
dant returns, the labor fields of indus
| try have been rewarded the revenue
legislation passed by the present con-
sress has increased the treasury's re-
ceipts to an amount beyond that esti-
mated by it's authorities, the finances
of the government have been success
fully administrated and it's credit ad-
vanced to the first rank, while it's cur
rency has been maintained at the
worlds highest standard. Military serv-
ice under common flag and for a
righteous cause has strengthened the
national spirit and served to cement
more closely than ever the fraternal
cciAuo OCINCSH CNCIy ocCllDI VI Tie
country"
DESTRUCTION OF THE MAINE.
The president then discussed at
length the futile efforts of Spain to re-
store peace in Cuba, the steps taken by
this country, the condition of the suf-
fering Cubans and the destruction of
the battleship Maine, and says: HThe
finding of the naval board of inquiry
established that the origin of the explo-
sion was external, by submarine mine
and only halted through lack of posi-
tive testimony to fix the responsibility
of it's authorship"
FAILURE TO AVERT WAR.
The president then reviews the prep
aratfons begun for national defense,
though he still hoped that peace might
be preserved in a manner to terminate
the chronic conditions and disturbances
in Cuba, but, "grieved and disappoint-
ed at the barren outcome of my endeav-
o1s to reach a practicable solution,
felt it my duty to remit the whole ques-
tion to congress-" He quotes the mes
sage of April II, and the memorable
resolution adopted nine days later, as a
result of which the Spanish minister
was ordered by his government to with
draw from Washington, the Madrid
government regarding the act as equiv
alent to declaration of war.
After speaking of delaying war meas
ures which subsequently followed the
president briefly recites the salient
features of the conflict that ensued. OF
DEWEY'S VICTORY AT MANILA
on May 1, he says: ''The effect of this re-
markable victory upon the spirit of our
people and upon the fortunes of war
was instant. The prestige of invinci-
bility thereby attached to our arms,
which continued throughout the strug
gle. Only reluctance to cause need
less loss Of life and property prevented
the easily storming and capture of the
city, and there was absolute military
occupation of the whole group of ISL
ands. The insurgents invested Manila,
from the northern and eastern sides,
but were constrained by Admiral
Dewey and General Merritt from at
tempting to assail the Notifications. 1t
was fitting that whatever was to be
done in any way, the decisive opera
tions in that quarter should be accom-
plished by the strong arm of the United
States alone.
DESTRUCTION OF CERVERA'S s
FLEET.
Of the naval engagement off Santiago
July 3, he says. Where all so conspic-
uously distinguished themselves, from
the commanders to the gunners and the
unnamed heroes in the boiler rooms,
each and all contributing toward the
achievement of this astounding victory,
for which neither ancient nor modern
history affords a parallel In complete
ness of the event and the marvellous
disproportion of casualties, 1t would
be invidious to single out any for spe-
cial honor. Deserved promotion has re-
warded the more conspicuous actors,
and the nations profoundest gratitude
J is due all those brave men. who. by
their skill and devotion, In a few short
hours crushed the sea power of Spain
and wrought triumph whose decisive
ness and far reaching effects can
scarcely be measured. Nor can we be
unmindful Of the achievements of our
builders, mechanics and artisans for
their skill in the construction of our
war ships.
SURRENDER OF SANTIAGO.
The capitulation of Santiago follow
ed. The individual valor of officers and
soldiers was never more strikingly
shown than in the several engagements
leading to the surrender Of Santiago
while the prompt movements and sue
cessive victories won instant and uni