Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-12-09
Principal Part Devoted to a Nara
tive of the War With Spain.
NO STARTLING SUGGESTIONS.
Tho Peace Treaty Still Unsigned, the
President Does Not Discuss the Per-
maneut Colonial Policy-The Chi
ncse Question-Littio New
on Currcncy-Army Ia
crease 100000.

To tho Senate and Hous,o OF Representatives.
N Notwithstanding the adJsi BURDENS rem lered
cessary by the war. our people rsjo'cc in a
very satisfactory and steadily incr aSiug
degree OF prosperity evide .ccI By the larg-
est volume of business ever 70 oricd. Every
manufacture has been proiu ,tive, agriculture
pursuits have yielded abundant returns. labor
In the Holds of Industry Is better rs.i;lci, rev
cnue legislation passed by the PFC scat congress
has increased the treaSury's receipts to the
amount estimated by it, authorities the
finances OF the government have been carefully
administered and its credit advanced to the
first rank, while its currency has been main
tanned at the worlds highest standard Mill
tary service under common flag and for o
righteous cause has strengthened the national
spirit and served TO cement more closely than
ever the fratcrnal bonds between every section
of the country.
A review of the relation OF the United States
to other powers, always appropriate is this
year of primary importance in view OF the mo-
cnentous questions which have arisen, demand
ing in one instance the ultimate determination
by arms and involving far-reaching conse-
Qucnccs which will require the earnest atten-
tion OF congress.
THE WAR WITH SPAIN.
In my last annual message yer; full consd-
grafton was given to the question of the duty
OF the government Of the United States toward
Spain and the Cuban instruction Us
being by far.the most important problem with
which we we're then called upon to deal The
con ,iderations then advanced and the expos-
ton OF the views therein expressed, disclosed
my ST 20 OF the extreme gravity of the situa-
ton
IT,. message then reviews In detail the state
of affairs existing in Cuba up TO the time of the
destruction of the battle hip blaine, and con-
tinues:
On the I tn of February, last, occurred the
destruction of the battleship Maine, while
rightfuly lying in the harbor OF Havana on "a
mission OF international courtesy and good
villa catastrophe the suspicious nature anu
horror OF which stirred the nations heart pro-
foundry. 1t is striking evidence oil the D Use
and stur !y good sense distinguishing our ma
tional character that this shocNia blow. fall
ing upol generous people already deeply
touched by preceding evelts in Cuba, did not
move them to an instant, desperate resolve to
tolerate no longer the existence of condition
of dancer and disorder at our doors that made
possible such deed by whomsoevcr wrought.
Yet the instinct Of justice prevailed
and the nation anxiousy awaited the
result of the searching investigation at once set
on foot. The finding OF the naval board Of in
CURRY established that tho origin OF the explos-
ion was external by submarine mine and only
halted through lack Of positive testimony to fix
the responsibility OF its authorship.
All those things carried conviction to the
most thoughtful, even before the finding OF the
naval court, that crisis In our relations with
Spain and toward Cuba was at hand. SO strong
was this belief that it needed but a brief cxecu-
tive suggestion to the Congress to receive i'm
mediate answer to the duty OF making instant
provision for the possible and perhaps speedily
probable emergency Of war and the ronark-
able, almost unique spectacle was presented OF
,,.t,, xratn nf hnf
OF March. appropriating s5D,oOo,00) "for the
national defense and for each and every par
pose connected herewith, to be expended ut the
discretion Of the President"
! That this act of provision came none too soon
was disclosed when the application Of the funds
was undertaken. Our forts were practically
undofended. Our navy needed large provision
for increased ammunition and supplies, and
even numbers to cope with any sudden
attack from the navy of Spain,
which comprised modern vessels OF the
highest type OF continental perfection. Our
army also required enlargement OF men and
munitions. The details OF the hurried prepara-
tons for the dreaded contingency is told in the
reports OF tine secretaries of war and OF the
navy and need not be repeated here. 1t is sur
Hcient to say that the outbreak of war, when 1t
did come found our nation not unpreparcd 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 It'll through
their ambassadors and ENJOYS, addressed to the
executive an expression OF hope that humanity
and moderation might mark the course of this
government and people ana that turtner neSo-
tiations would lead to an agreement, which,
while securing the maintenance OF peace would
affirm all necessary guarantees FOR the re-
establishment of order in CUBA In responding
to the presentation, also shared the hope that
the enyoys had expressed that pence might be
preserved in a manner to terminate the chronic
condition OF disturbance in Cuba so injurious
aud menacing to our interests and tranquility,
as well as shocking to our sentiments OF hu-
manity; and, While approaching the humanita-
rim and disintercstGd character Of the commu-
nity they had made on behalf Of the powers 1t
stated that the confidence OF this government
for its part that equal appreciation would be
shown for it's earnest and unseltish epdeaVors
to fulfill duty Of humanity By ending situa-
ton, the indefinite proongation OF which had
become inSufferabe.
Still animated by the hope Of a peaceful solu-
ton and obeying the dictates of duty, no effort
was relaxed to bring about speedy ending OF
the Cuban struggle. Negotiations to this OBJ
jcct continued actively with the government OF
Spain looking to the immediate conclusion or
six months armstce in Cuoa with view 10
effect the recognition OF har peoples right 10
Independence. Besides this, the instant re o.
cation OF the order of RECOMMENDATION was
asked, so that the sufferers. returning to their
homes and aided by united American and Span
fish effort might be put in way to support
themselves. and, by orderly re umption OF the
we'll nigh destroyed productive energies OF the
island contribute to the restoration OF its tran
guilty and we'll ueing. Negotiations continued
for some little time at Madrid resulting In
offers by the Spanish government which could
not but be regarded as Inadequate. 1t was pro-
posed to contide the preparation OF peace to
the insuar parliament, yet to be convened
under the autonomous DEGREES OF November,
1897. but without impairment in any wise OF the
constitutional powers Of the Madrid govern
ment. which to that end, would grant an armis-
tice, il solicited by the insurgents, for sucn
time as the general-in-chief might see fit to fix
How and with what scope OF discretionary
powers the insular par lament was expected to
set about the preparation" of peace did not
eppear II 1t was to be by negotiation with the
Insurgents, the issue seemed to rest on the one
side with a boly cho sea- By faction OF the
electors in the districts under Spanish control
and the other. with the insursent population
holding the interior country, unrepreseited In
the so called parliament, ami defiant at the
lsuggestion OF suing for peace.
Grieved and dis ppointed at this barren out