Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-12-09
1HPRES|DENT MESSAGE
~
MIR. Mckinley Sends to the Fifty
Fifth Congress a Document for
Guidance in Legislation.
WAR WITH SPAIN BRIEFLY REVIEWED.
The Spanish Overtures for Peace-The Mic
aragua CanaI-Parls Exoosition-The
Annexation sf the Hawaiian Islands
Matters Concerning Treasury, Post Or
flee, Army and Navy Departments, Etc.

Washington, Dec. 5.-President Nc
Kinley sent the following message to
the Fifty-ffth congress after he had
been informed by committees that the
senate and house awaited any COM
munication he wished to make to
them:
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
Notwithstanding the added burdens rendered
necessary by the war, our people rejoice in
very satisfactory and steadily increasing de-
gree of prosperity evidenced by the largest
volume of business ever recorded Every man
ufacture has been productive, agricultural pur-
suits 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 receipts to the
amount estimated by its authorities the
finances of the government have been sue
cessfully administered and its credit advanced
TO the first rank, while its currency has been
maintained at the worlds highest standard.
Military service under a common flag and for q
righteous cause has strengthened the national
spirit and servedoto cement more closely than
ever the traternal bonds between every section
OF thee country. A review OF the relation
OF the United States to other powers
always appropriate. is this year of primary i'm
portanceo in view of the momentous issues
which have arisen. demanding in one instance
the ultimate determination by arms and in
volving far-reaching consequences which will
require the earnest attention of the congress-
The Cuban Insurracrion.
In my last annual message very full consid-
GRAFTON was given to the question of the duty
OF the government of the United States toward
Spain and the Cuban instruction as being by
far the most i'm portant problem with which we
were then called upon to deal The consdera-
lions then advanced ana the exposition of the
views therein expressed. disclosed my sense OF
the extreme gravity of the situation Setting
aside. as logically unfouuded or practically in
admissible, the recognition of the CUBAN in
surgents as Delligerents. the recognition OF the
frAn
end the war by imposing a rational
compromise between the contestants, in
teryentiOn in favor of the other
party and forcible annexation OF the
island. concu led it was honestly due to odr
friendly relations with Spain that she should
be given a reasonable chance to realize her ex-
pectations OF reform to which she had become
trrevocably committed Within few weeks
previously she had announced comprehensive
plans. which it was confidently asserted would
be efhcaciouS to remedy the evil deeply
Affecting our own country. So injurious to the
true interests of the mother country as we'll as
to those OF Cuba. and so repugnant to the uni =
verSal sentiment of humanity. The ensuing
month brought little sign of real progress
toward the pacifcation of Cuba The auton-
omous administration set up III the cal ital and
some of the principal cities, appeared not
to gain the favor of the inhabitants
to be able to extend their influence to large
extent Of territory held by the insurgents W lie
the military arm. obviously unable to cope
with the still active rebellion. continus "a many
of the most Objectionable and offensive policies
OF the government that had preceded it. No
tangible relief was Afforded the vast numbers
of unhappy reconcentrados despite the reiter-
ated professions made in that regard and the
amount appropriated by Spain to that end
The proffered expedent OF zones of cultivation
proved iliusory; indeed. no less practical nor
moreo deIusive promises OF succor could
well have been rendered to the eS-
hauSted and destitute people, strip ed
OF all that made life and home dear and herded
in strange region among 7unsympathetic
strangers hardly less neceSsttouS than them
among them had frightfuily increased. Con,
sentative estimates from Spanish sources
placed the deaths among these distress peo-
pie ut over 40 per cent from the time Gen.
Weyler'S decree of RECOMMENDATION en-
forced With the acQuiescence of the Spanish
authorities scheme was adopted for relief by
charitable contributions raised in this coun-
try and distributed under the direction of the
consul general and the several con-
suls, by noble and earnest individual
effort through the organized agencies Of the
American Red Cross. Thousands OF lives were
thus saved. but many thousands more we're in
accessible to such forms Of aid. Toe war con-
tinued on the old footing without comprehen-
Sive plan, developing only the same SpaSmodic
encounters barren of strategic result that had
marked the course of rn4 earlier ten years re-
O bellion well as the present insurrecuiou from
fits start No alternative save physical ex-
q hauStion of either com Dataut and there with
the pr3cLlCal ruin al the lSlauU, lay IN Sl2nC,
but how far distant no one could venture to
conjecture.
The Destruction of the Isateleshsp Maiae.
At this juncture. on the 18th Of February
last, occurred the destruction of the battleshir
Maine, while rfghtfuilY lying in the harb0r OF
Havana q mission OF international courtesy
and good villa catastrophe the sus piciouS
nature and horror of which stirred the nat. on
heart profoundly 1t is q striking evidence OF
poise and sturdy good sense distingushu IN
our national character that this shocking blow
falling upon generous people, already deeply
touched by preceding events in Cuba. did no.
move them to an instant, desperate resolve to
tolerate no longer the existence or condition
of danger and disorder at our doors that made
possible such deed by whomsoever wrought
Yet, the instinct of justice prevailed aEt
the nation anxiously awaited the re-
suit OF the searching investigation IT once set
on foot The finding OF the naval board OF in
Quiry established that the origin of the explo-
sion external by submarine mne anC
only halted through lack Of positive testinhon,
to fix the responsibility of its authorship Al
those things carried conviction to the mos
thoughtful, even before the finding OF the nava
court. that \ crisis in our relations with Spain
and toward Cuba were at hand So strong wa:
this belief that it needed but a brief executive
suggestion to the cong -eSs to receive immediate
answer to the duty of making instant provision
for the possible and perhaps specially proba
BILE emergency OF war. and the remarkable, al
most unique spectacle was presented OF uuan
imous vote OF both houses on the 9th OF March
appropriating s5L013.O01 for the national de
Tense and for each and every purpose connected
herewith to BE- expended at the odiscretion o.
the president"
That this act OF provision came none too SCOT
was disclosed when the application of til,
funds was undertaken Our forts prac
ideally undefended. Our navy needed large pro-
vision tor increased ammunition supplies. and
even numbers. to cope with any sudden attach
from the navy OF Spain. which comprised mod
ern vessels of the highest type of continental
perfection Our army also required enlarge
rnenr of men and munitions The details OF
the hurried preparation for the dreaded con-
tingency Is told in the reports OF the secre-
taries OF war and OF the navy and need not be
49, -,