Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-12-08
PRESIDENT SAYS IT MUST BE
MAINTAINED.
MESSAGE SENT CONGRESS
Larger Army and Navy Favored and
Also the Construction OF the Suck
Canal-neurement of Greenbacks
Urged-Ais.ory of the War-Many
Themes Discussed.

dent Mckinley, in his annual message
to congress yesterday. said among
other things that, Notwithstanding the
added burdens rendered necessary by
the war; our people rejoice in very
satisfactory and steadily increasing
degree of prosperity as is evidenced by
the largest volume OF business ever
recorded. Manufacture has been pro-
ductive; agricultural pursuits have
yielded abundant returns; labor in the
fields 5t industry is better rewarded;
the revenue legislation passed by the
present congress increased the treas
ury's receipts to an amount estimated
by its authors; the finances of the gov
ernmeAt have been successfully ad-
ministered and as credit has been ad-
vanCed to the first rank; while Its cur
rency has been maintained at the
worlds highest standard, Military
service under a common flag ana for
a righteous cause has strengthened the
national spirit and served to cement
more closely than ever the fraJernal
bonds between every section of the
country. A view OF the relations OF
the United States to other powers, al
ways appropriate, is this year of prl-
mary Importance in view OF the mo-
mentous issues which have arisen, de-
handing in one instance an ultimate
determination by arms and involving
far-reaching consequences which VIII
require the earnest attention OF con-
gress. The president then speaks of
the paragraph in his last annual mes
sage in reference to our relations with
Spain and Cuba; to the futile efforts of
Spain to conquer the island to the
failure of the autonomous government
set up in the island; to the suffering
of the reconcentrados and to the evil
dent inability OF Spain to end the war
successfully. The message next takes
up the destruction OF the Maine, which
aroused such indignation in the hearts
of the American people, and to the APP
pointment and work OF the naval
board of inquiry which established
that the origin of the explosion was
external by submarine mine and
only halted through positive testimony
to fix the responsibility of its author
ship" Continuing the message says
these things convinced the most
thoughtful that crisis In our relations
with Spain and towards Cuba was at
hand and it needed but brief execu-
tive session of congress to receive an
immediate answer to the duty of max
ing instant provision for war and the
almost unique spectacle was pre-
scented of unanimous vote of both
ating $50,000,0O0 for the national de-
tense" The president declared that
this provision came none too soon as
our forts were practically undefended;
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 highest type of continental perfec-
ton; and the army also required en-
largement of men and munitions. Re
ferring congress to the reports OF the
secretaries of war and the navy for de-
tails, the president says: 1T Is sufii-
cient to say that the outbreak OF war
when 1t did come found our nation not
unprcpGfGG TO meet the conflict" Ref
erence Is made to the apprehension Of
coming strife felt by the continental
powers and voiced In an address to
the president through their amDassa-
doris and ENJOYS, and TO the presl-
dents reply thereto. Still, minated,
however, by the hope OF pe, eful so
luton OF the difficulty and obeying the
dictates OF duty. the president relaxed
no effort to bring about the speedy
ending OF the Cuban struggle. Nego-
tiations with the Madrid government
proved futile so far as practical re-
suits were concerned. and then II was
that the president presented the ques-
ton to congress. saying: In the name
Of humanity, In the name OF civiliza-
ton, in behalf OF endangered Ameri-
can interests which give US the right
Cuba must stop" The result OF this
statement Of the case was the adoption
Of the memorable joint resolution by
congress declaring the purpose OF the
United States TO intervene between
the Spaniards and Cubans. Following
swiftly upon the enactment OF this
resolution came the severance OF dip
omatic relations between the two
countries, the proclamation OF the
blockade o. Cuban ports, the call for
volunteers and the formal declaration
of the existence OF state war. All
other governments were Immediately
notified OF the existence OF war and
each proclaimed It's neutrality. 1T Is
not among the least gratifying incl
dents OF the struggle that the obliga-
tons OF neutrality were impartially
by all" says the president.
often under delicate and difficult cir
The president reviewed
AZ length the work CT preparation for
war, referring particularly 70 the en-
Of the volunteers. to the ma
terial increase In the navy In both men
and ships and to the precautionary
measures taken for the protection Of
the epahnafd and coast cities The