Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-06
REVIEW OF THE SPANISH WAR
Principal Events of the Struggle
Summarized and Participants
Praised for Results.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 5.-To the Sen
! ate and House of Representatives
Notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered necessary by the war, our
people rejoice in q very satisfactory and
steadily increasing degree Of prosperity evil
denced by the largest volume Of business
ever recorded. Every branch of manufac-
ture has been productive, agricultural pur-
suits have yielded abundant returns. labor
in the field of industry Is better rewarded,
revenue legislation passed by the present
congress has increased the treasurys 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 service under a 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.
A review Of the relations Of the United
States to other powers, always appropriate,
Ia this year Of primary Importance, In view
OF the momentous issues which have arisen,
demanding in one instance the ultimate de-
Termination by arms and involving far-reach-
ing consequences. which will require the
earnest attention Of the congress.
In my last annual message very full con-
sideration 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 considerations then advanced and
the exposition Of the views therein expressed,
oxyttv nj
the situation. Setting aside as logically
unfounded or practically inadmissible the
recognition Of the Cuban insurgents as bel
ligerents, the recognition OF the independ-
ence OF Cuba, neutral Intervention to end
the war by imposing a rational compromise
between the contestants. intervention In
favor of the other party. and forcible an
nexation Of the island, concluded 1t 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 COM
mitted. Within few weeks previously she
had announced comprehensive plans which
1t was confidently asserted would be effica-
cious to remedy the evils SO deeply ahect-
ing our own country, so injurious to the
true interests Of the mother country. as well
as to those OF Cuba, and SO repugnant to the
universal sentiment OF humanity.
Little Progress Toward Pacihcation
The ensuing month brought little sign OF
progress toward the pacihcation OF Cuba
The autonomous administration set up In
the capital and some Of the principal cities
appeared not to gain the favor OF the in
habitants nor to be able to extend Its In
fuence to q large extent Of territory held
by the insurgents, while the military arm,
obviously unable to cope with the still
active rebellion, continued many Of the
most Questionable and offensive policies OF
the government that had preceded 1t. No
tangible relief was afforded the vast num-
bers Of unhappy reconcentrados. despite
the reiterated professions made In that re-
gard and the amount appropriated by Spain
to that end. The proffered expsdient of
sones Se cultivation proved niusory; In
deed. no less practical nor more deiusive