The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1898-12-08
AK|NLEYS MESSAGE
Text Of Presidents An.
nual Address.

To the Senate and House of Representa-
tives: Notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered necessary by the war, our people
rejoice In a very satisfactory and steadily
increasing degree of prosperity. evidenced
by the largest volume of business ever
recorded. Every manufacture has been
productive. agricultural pursuits have
yielded abundant returns. labor in tho
fields of industry Is better rewarded. rev.
enue legislation passed by the present
congress has increased the treasury's re-
ceipts to the amount estimated by its
authors. the finances of the government
have been successfully administered and
its credit advanced to the first rank; while
its currency has been maintained at the
worlds highest standard Military serv-
ice under common flag and for
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.
review of the relations of the United
States to other powers, always appropri-
ate, is this year OF primary Importance,
in view of the momentous issues which
have risen. demanding In one instance the
ultimate determination by arms and In
volving 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 instruction. as being by far the
most important problem with which we
were called upon to deal The considera-
tons 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 inadmissible, recogni-
ton OF the Cuban insurgents as beiliger-
ents, recognition OF the independence
of Cuba, neutral intervention to end the
war by imposing a rational compromise
between the contestants. intervention In
favor of one or the other party and the
foroibe annexation of the island. l con-
cluded II was honestly due to our friendly
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 few weeks previously she
had announced comprehensive plans
which II was confidently asserted would
be efficacious to remedy the evils SO
deeply affecting our own country, SO IN
furious to the true interests or the
mother country. as well as TO those OF
Cuba and so repugnant to the universal
sentiment of humanity.
Destruction of the Maine.
At this juncture, on the 18th of Feoru-
airy last. occurred the destruction Oh the
battle-ship Maine. while rightfully lying
in the harbor of Havana on a mission OF
international courtesy and good will,
catastrophe the suspicious nature ana
horror of which stirred the nations heart
profoundly. 1t Is striking evidence OF
the poise and sturdy good sense distin-
gushing our national character that this
shocking blow falling upon generous
people already deeply touched by pre-
cp1ipp events, I'm Cuba did not move them
to desperate resolve to tolerate no longer
the existence of condition of danger and
disorder at our doors that made possible
such deed by whomsoever wrought.
Yet the instinct of justice prevailed. and
the nation anx!ously awaited the result
of the searching investigation at once set
on foot The finding of the naval board
of inquiry established that the origin of
the explosion was external by subma-
rine mine, and only halted, through lack
of positive testimony to fix the RESPONSE
bility of its authorship.