The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1898-12-07
Future of the New Possessions Are
Not Discussed Just Now.
PRAISE Is IAvIsHLY BESTOWED.
Among the MATTERS Recommended For
Earnest AttentIon of the LseisIa-
tors Is the Nicaragua VCanal
PraJeot-oIher Matters OF
National Iaterest.


Notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered necessary by the war, our
and steadily increasing degree of pros
perity, evidenced by the largest vol
ume of business ever recorded.
A reYeiew of the relation OF the
United States to other powers, always
appropriate, is this year OF primary
importance in view of the momentous
issues which nave arisen, demandir
In one instance the ultimate determin-
alton by arms and involving far-reach-
ing consequences which will require the
earnest attention OF the congress.
In my last annual message very full
consideration was given to the Ques-
ton of the duty of the government OF
the Cuban instruction as being by far
the most important problem with
which we were then called upon to
deal. The considerations then advanc-
ed, and the exposition OF the views
therein expressed. disclosed my senHe
of the extreme gravity of the situation.
The war continued on the old foot
Oping only the same SpaSmodic en-
counters, barren of strategic results,
that had marked the course of the ca
lier ten years rebellion, as well as the
present insurrection from the stat.
No alternative. save physical exhaus-
ton Of either combatant and there,
withal the practical ruin OF the island
lay in sight, but how far distant 10
one could venture to conjecture.
The Maine Disaster.
At this juncture, on Feb. Is last, oc-
CURED the destruction of the battle
ship Maine, while rightfully lying in
the harbor of Havana on a mission of
international courtesy and good viii,
a catastrophe the suspicious nature
and horror of which stirred the ma
tons heat profoundly.
Yet the instinct of justice pre-
vailed, 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 eS-
plosion was external by submarine
mine, and only halted, through lack
of positive testimony, to fix the re-
sponsibility of it's authorship.
1t needed but a brief and imme-
date executive suggestion to the con-
greSS to receive immediate answer to
the duty of making instant provision
probable emergency of war, and the
remarkable, almost unique, spectacle
was presented of unanimous vote or
both houses. on March 9, appropriate
Tense"
Still animated by the hope of a
peaceful solution and obeying the die
tates of duty, no effort was relaxed to
bring about speedy ending of the
Cuban struggle.
tie time at Madrid. resulting in offers
by the Spanish government which
could not but be regarded as made
quate.
A Barren Oufcome.
Grieved and disappointed at this
barren outcome of my sincere endeay-
ors to reach a practicable. solution, L
felt it my duty to remit the whole
question to congress. In the message
of april IL, 1898, announced that with
this last overture in the direction of
immediate peace in Cuba, and its dis
appointing reception by Spain, the ef-
fort of the executive was brought to
an end.
The response of the congress, after
nine days of earnest elaboration, dur
ing which the almost unanimous sem
timent of your body was developed on
every point save as to the expectancy
OF coupling the proposed action with
formal recognition of the republic of
Cuba as the true and lawful govern
ment of that island-a proposition
which failed of adoption-the congress,
after conference. on April 10, by
vote of AZ to 80 in the senate and 81 to
3 IN the house or representatives,, pass
ed the memorial joint resolution.
This resolution was approved by the
executive on the next day, April 20.
a copy was at once communicated to
the Spanish minister at this capital,
who forthwith announced that his con-
tinuance in Washington had thereby
become impossible, and asked for his
passports, which we're given him.
He thereupon withdrew from WASH
ington. leaving the protection of Span
iSh interests in the United States to
the French ambassador and the Aus
tro-Hungarian minister.
simultaneously with its communica-
ton to the Spanish minister here, Cen
= eral Woodford. the American minister
at Madrid, was telegTaphed confirma-
ton of the text of the Joint resolution
End directed to communicate it to the
government of Spain with the formal
demand that it at once relinquish its
authority and government in the ISL
and of Cuba and withdraw it's forces
therefrom, coupling this demand with
announcement of the intentions of this
arm mt nc m Hf h =
island, in conformity with the fourth
clause of the resolution, and giving
Spain until noon of April % to reply.
Diplomatic Rotations Severed
That demand, although, as above
shown; officially made known TO the
Spanish envoy here, was not delivered
at Madrid. After the instruction
reached General Woodford on the
could present 1t, the Spanish minister
of state notified him that upon the
presidents approval of the Joint rest
luton the Madrid government. regard
ing the act as equivalent to an evil
dent declaration of war" had ordered
its minister in Washington to with
relations between the two countries
and ceasing all official communication
between their respective representa-
tiYes.
General woodford thereupon de-
mapded his passports and quilted
Madrid the same day.
Spain having thus denied the de-
mand OF the United States and initial
ed that complete form OF rupture of
relations which attends state OF war.
the executive powers authorized by
the resolution were at once used by
me to meet the enlarged continger cy
of actual war between sovereign states.
On April % I proclaimed a blockade
OF the north coast Of Cuba, including
FORTS on said coast between Cardenas
nd Bahia Honda and the port of Glen
pegos on the south coast of Cuba /;
q on the April % called for volun-
/, Cers to e. ecute the purpose OF the
Resolution. BY my message of April
IS the congress was informed of the
situation, and 1 recommended formal
declaration of the existence of a state
, Of war between the United States and
spain
The congress accordingly voted on
the same day the act approved April
25. 1893, facIaring the existence of
such war om and including April 81,
and re-enacted the provision of the
resolution of April 20, directing the
president to use all the armed forces
of the naticn to carry it into effect
Our country thus. after an interval
of half a century of peace with all ma
lions, fcupd Itself engaged in deadly