The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-12-08
TEXT OF THE MESSAGE

added burdens rendered necessary by
the war, our people rejoice In a very
satisfactory and steadily increasing de-
gree of prosperity, evidenced by the
largest volume of business ever record
ed. Manufacture has been productive,
agricultural pursuits have yielded abuu-
dant returns. labor in all fields of in
dustry Is better rewarded, revenue leg
islation passed by the present Congress-
has increased the Treasury's receipts to
the amount estimated by its authors,
the finances of the Government have
been successfully administered and its
credit advances to the first rank while
its currency has been maintained at the
worlds highest standard. Military Serv-
ice under a common flag and for a
righteous cause has strengthened the
national spirit and served to cement
more closely than ever the fraternal
bonds between every section of the
country.
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
Cuban insurrection as being by far the
most important problem with which We
were then called upon to deal. The con-
siderations then advanced, and the ex-
position OF the views therein expressed,
disclosed my sense of the extreme Srav-
ity of the situation. Setting aside as
logically unfounded or practically mad
missible the recognition of the Cuban
insurgents as belligerents, the recogni-
tion of the independence of Cuba. neu-
tral intervention to end the war by i'm
posing n rational compromise between
the contestants, intervention in favor Of
one or the other party, and forcible an
neXation of the island, l concluded 1t
was honestly due to our friendly rela-
tions with Spain that she should be
given reasonable chance to realize her
expectations Of reform TO which she had
become irrevocably committed. Within
a few weeks previously she had an
nounced comprehensive plans which 1t
was confidently asserted would be eiil-
cacious to remedy the evils 50 deeply
affecting our own country, so injurious
to the true interests of the mother clun-
TRY as We'll as to those of Cuba, and so
repugnant to the universal sentiment of
humanity.
The 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 ten
years rebellion, as well as the present
inSurrectiUn from its start. NO alterna-
tive save physical exhaustion of either
combatant. and therewithal the praCti
cal ruin Of the island, lay in sight, but
how far distant no one could venture to
conjecture. At this juncture, on the
18th of February last, occurred the de-
struction of the battleship Maine while
riEhtfully lying in the harbor of
Havana, on mission of international
courtesy and good villa catastrophe
the suspicious nature and horror of
which stirred the nations heart pro-
foundly. 1t is a striking evidence OF the
poise and sturdy good sense distinguish
ing our national character that this
shocking blow, falling upon generous
people, already deeply touched by pre-
ceding events in Cuba, did not move
them to an instant desperate resolve to
tolerate no longer the existence of a
condition of danger and disorder a our
doors that made possible such Gesd, by
whomsoever wrought. Yet the instinct
of justice prevailed and the nation anx-
ious 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 eXternaI ny 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 our
relations with Spain and toward Cuba
was at hand. So strong was this belief
that ii needed but a brief Executive
suggestion to the Congress to receive
immediate answer to the duty of max
ing instant provision for the positive
and perhaps speedily probable emer-
gency of war, and the remarkable al
most unique, spectacle was presented
OF unaknimOuS vote of both houses on
the 9Th of March 'appropriating $780,
100000 for the national defense, and for
Il
therewith-to be expended at the dis
cretion of the President" That this act
OF provision came none too soon was
disclosed when the application of the
fund was undertaken. Our coasts were
practically undefended. Our navy need
ed large provision for increased am
munition and supplies, and even num-
Ders, TO cope with any sudden attack
from the navy of Spain, which com
prised modern vessels of the highest
type of continental perfection.
Our army also required enlargement
of men and munitions. 1t is sufficient
to say that the outbreak of war, when
II dld come, found our nation not pre-
pared to meet the conflict. Nor was the
apprehension of coming strife confined
to our own country. 1t was felt by the
continental powers, which on April 6,
through their Ambassadors and En-
Voys, addressed to the Executive an eX-
preston OF nope tnat humanity and
moderation might mark the course of
this Government and people, and that
further negotiations would lead to am
agreement which, while securing the
maintenance of peace, would afford all
necessary guarantees for the re-estab-
lishmcnt of order In Cuba In respond
ing to that representation l said l
shared the hope the Envoys had ex-
pressed that peace might be preserved
in manner to terminate the chronic
condition of disturbance in Cuba, so in
furious and menacing to our inuereS Is
and tranquility as well as shocking to
our sentiments of humanity; and while
apprecating the humanitarian and dis
interested character of the communica-
tion they had made on behalf of the
Powers, | stated the confidence of this
Government, for its part, that equal ap.
probation WOULD be shown for it's own
interest and unxeifish endeaVors to full
fill duty to humanity by ending sit.
uation the indefinite prolongation of
which had become insufferable. Grieved
and disappointed at this barren out
come of my sincere endeavor to reach a
practicable solution, | found 1t my duty
to remit the whole question to the Con-
T.. r.. .