Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-12-08
Presidents Message.
To the Senate and House of Representa-

W
rendered necessary by the war, our peo-
pie rejoice In a very satisfactory and
steadily increasing degree OF prosperity,
evidenced by the largest volume OF busi-
ness ever recorded. Manufacture has
been productive agricultural pursuits
have yielded abundant returns, labor in
all fields of industry is better rewarded,
revenue legislation passed by the present
congress has increased the treasury
receipts to the amount estimated by It's
authors; the finances OF tho government
have been successfully administered ana
its credit advanced to the first rank.
while its currency has been maintained
at the worlds highest standard. Mill
tary service under a common nag ana Tor
n righteous cause has strengthened the
national spirit and served to cement more
closely than ever the fraternal bonds be-
tween 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 Importance
In view of the momentous Issues which
have arisen, demanding In one instance
the ultimate determination by arms and
involving far-reaching consequences
which will require the earnest attention
OF the congress.
In my last annual message, very full
consideration was given to the question
of the duty OF the government of the
United States toward Spain and the Gu
ban insurrection as being by far the most
important problem with which we have
been called upon to deal. The considera-
tions then advanced. and the exposition
of the views therein expressed, disclosed
my sense of the extreme gravity OF the
situation. Setting aside, as logically
unfounded or practically inadmssable,
the recognition of the independence OF
Cuba. neutral intervention to end the
war by imposing n rational compromise
between the contestants. Intervention in
favor Of one or the other party. and
forcible annexation of the island. con-
cluded 1t wa, honestly due to our friend
" relations with Spain that she should
be given a reasonable chance to realize
her expectations of reform to which she
had become irrevocably committed.
Within a few weeks previously she had
announced comprehensive plans which IT
was confidently asserted would be ctica-
cious to remedy the evils so deeply af-
fecting our own country. 50 injurious to
the true interests of the mother country
as we'll as to those Of Cuba. and so re-
pugnant to the universal sentiment of
humanity
The ensuing month brought little sign
of real progress toward the pacitication
of Cuba.
The autonomous administration 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 ex-
tend their influence TO the largest extent
of territory held by the insurgents, while
, the military arm. obviously unable to
cope with the still active rebellion. con-
tinued many Of the most Objectionable
and offensive policies OF the government
that had preceded 1t. No tangible relief
was afforded the vast numbers Of un-
happy reconcentrados, despite the re-
iterated protestations made in that re-
gard and the amount appropriated by
nj in n lha "
pedient Of zones of cultivation proved
tllusory; indeed. no less practical nor
more delusive promises of succor could
well have been rendered to the exhausted
and destitute people. stripped OF all that
made life and home dear herded in a
ytrange region among unsympathetic
strangers hardly less necessitous than
themselves.
BY the end OF December the mortality
among them had friehtfully Increased.
Conservative estimates from Spanish
sources placed the deaths among these
distressed people at over 40 percent
from the time General Weyler's decree Of
recommendation was enforced. With
the acQuiesence of the Spanish authori-
ties q scheme was adopted for relief by
charitable contributions raised in this
country and distributed. under the direc-
tions Of the consul general and the sew
eral consuls by noble and earnest In
dividusl effort throughout the organized
agencies NJ the American Red Cross.
Thousands of lives were thus saved, hut
many thousands more were inaccessible
to such forms of aid.
Tho war continued on the old footing
without comprehensive plan, developing
only the same spasmodic encounters,
barren Of strategic result. that had
marked the course Of the earlier 10
years rebellion as we'll as the present In
surrection from its start. No alternative
save physical exhaustion of either com
Blatant and Herewith the practical ruin
OF the island, lay in sight. but how far
distant no one would venture to con-
lecture.
At this juncture on Feb Is last. &C
CURED the destruction Of the battleshir
Maine, while rightfully lying in the har-
Dor Of Havana on mission OF interna-
tional courtesy and good villa catas-
trophe the suspicious nature and horror
of which stirred the nations heart pro-
foundly, II is a striking evidence Of the
poise and sturdy good sense distinguish
ing orr national character that this
shocking blow, falling upon a generous
people already deeply touched by pre-
cedinG events in Cuba, did not move then
10 an instant desperate resolve tn tolerat,
no longer the existence of a condition OF
danger and disorder At our doors that
made possible such deed. by whomso-
ever wrought. Yet tho instinct of Justice
prevailed, and the nation anXiously
awaited the result OF the searching In.
vestigation at once set on foot. The
finding of the naval board Of inquiry
established that the origin OF the ex-
plosion was external by submarin
mine. and only halted. through lack OF
positive testimony to Ak the responsi.
hiity Of its authorship.
All these things carried conviction IL
the most thoughtful. even before the
finding of the naval court, that a crisi.
in our relations with Spain and toward
Cuba was at hand, So strong was thi,
belief that 1t needed but a brief executiv,
suggestion to the congress to receive i'm.
mediate answer To the duty of makinl
instant provision for the possible and
perhaps, speedily probable emergency a
war and the remarkable. almost uniuue
spectacle was presented OF a unanimous
vote Of both houses on March 9 an
propriating $50 900 600 for the nationa
defense and for each and every purpos
connected herewith, to be expended n
the discretion of the president"
That this act Of provision came non,
TOO soon was disclosed when the applica
ton Of the fund was undertaken. GU
coasts were practically undefended ON
navy needed large provision for liner ca Sc
ammunition and supplies and even mum
hers to cope with any sudden attacl
from the navy of Spain which comprised
modern vessels Of the highest type of con
tnentnl perfection. Our army also re
quired enlargement Of men and mum
lions. The details Of the hurried prem
aration for the dreaded contingency ar
told in the reports OF the secretaries o
war and OF the navy and need not be re
peated here, 1t is sufficient to say tina
the outbreak of war, when II did come