Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1898-04-11
WAR MESSAGE
FROM PRESIDENT!
He Carefully Discusses the Strained
Relations with Spain.
TREAcHERY OF SPAIN TERsELY TOLD.

Washington, April 1.-The president
to-day sent the following message 10 con-
gress:
0bedient TO that pFecept OF the oonsti-
tuition which commands the president 20
give from time 20 time 20 congress infOr.
nation OF the state OF the union and
recommend 10 their consideration such
measures as he shall Judge necessary and
expedient. II becomes my duty now 10
address your body with regard 10 the
grave condition that has arisen In the re-
latlon OF the United States 20 Spain By
reason OF the warfare that for more than
three years has ragged In the neighboring
island OF Cuba. do 30 because Of the
intimate connection OF the Cuoan ques-
tion with the state Of our own union and
grave relations, and the course which is
now incumbent upon the nation TO adopt
must needs bear 10 the traditional policy
OF our government II Il Ia 70 accord with
the precepts laid down BY the founders Of
the republic and religiously observed by
succeeding administrations TO the pres
ent DAY.
The pfesept- revolution Is but sue
ceesor /of other siHflar lnsurrections
whicb have occurred In Cuba against the
dominion OF Spain, extending over q
period OF nearly half century, each OF
which, during its progress, has subjected
the United States 10 great effort and ex-
pense enforcing its neutrality laws.
caused enormous losses TO American
trade and commerce, caused Irritation.
annoyance and disturbance among our
citizens and by the exercise OF cruel, bar
barous and uncivilized practices OF war
fare, shocked the sensibilities and offend
ha hnU ~
Since the present revolution began In
February, 1896, this country has seen the
fertile domain at our threshold Tavaged
by are and sword In the course OF a strug-
gle uneQualled In the history OF the island
and rarely paralleled AZ TO the number OF
eombatants and the bitterness OF contest
by any revolution of modern times, where
a dependent people, striving 10 be free,
has been opposed by the power Of soVor.
eign state. Our people have beheld the
once prosperous community reduced 20
comparative want, its commerce vir-
tualiy paralyEed, It's exceptional product
iveness diminished, It's fields laid waste,its
mills In ruins and Its people perishing
by the tens OF thousands from hunger
and destitution. We have found our
selves constrained In observance OF that
strict neutrality which our laws enjoin
and which the law OF nations commands,
70 police our own waters and watch our
own seaports Ia prevention OF any un-
lawful act In aid OF the Cubans. Our
trade has suffered; capital invested BY
our citizens In Cuba has been large
Iy lost, and the temper and
forbearance OF our people have
been 30 sorely tried as 70
beget perilous unrest among our own
citizens which has inevitably found Its
expression from time 10 time In the ra-
tiOnal legislature, 30 that issues wholly
external TO orr body politics engross the
attention and stand In the way OF that
close devotion 70 domestic advancement
that becomes self c0ntented common
wealth whose primal maxim has been
avoidance Of all foreign entanglements.
All this must needs awaken and has In
deed aroused the utmost concern on the
part Of this government as we'll during
my predecessors as my own administra-
tiOn.
The president reviews the futile efforts
OF this government In 1895 to bring
about peaco and repress the policy OF de-
VastatlOn and concentration inaugu-
rated and cruelty pursued by Spain.
'In the provinces OF Santa Clara, Ma
tanzas. Havana and Plnar del Rio agri-
cultural population TO estimated num-
ber OF 100000 or more was herded within
towns and their Immediate vicinity, de-
prived OF means OF support, rendered des-
titute Of shelter, left poorly clad and ex-
posed to the most unsatisfactory condi-
ti0ns.
'By March, 1897, according TO conserya-
tive estimates from otficial Spanish
sources, the mortality among the recon
rentradOes from starvation and disease
exceeded 30 per centum OF their total
number. No practical relief was accord
ed 10 the destitute"
The president says: RECOMMENDATION.
adopted ay0wedly as war measure In
order 70 cut on the resources OF the In
surgents, worked Its predestined result.
As ] said In my message OF last Decem-
ber. II was not civilized warfare, II was
determination. The only peace Il could
beget was that OF a wilderness and
grave"
The presidents message asks congress
TO authorize the president 10 take meas
ures 10 secure the termination OF hOstlli-
ties in Cuba and 10 secure the establish
ment OF a stable government there, and
60 use the military and naval forces OF
Nho luANou DNutCb 40 nluJ DC utCruuul iOt
those purposes. The president says that
the only hope for relief from the cOndi.
tion which can no longer be endured Is
enforced pacihcation OF the island. The
issue is now with congress and he awaits
Its action, standing prepared 20 carry out
every obligation imposed on him by the
constitution. Spain's decree for suspen.
sion OF hOstllities Is submitted 10 con-
gress for Just and careful attention, with
the observation that II the measure attain
a successful result then our aspirations
~ peace-loVlng people will be realized.
IL II fails, Il will be only another Justih.
cation for our contemplated action"
The Maine incident figures prominent
iy In the message. The president argues
that the wreck OF the Maine In Havana
harbOF shows that Spain Is not able TO
guarantee security Of foreign vessels.
Spain has disaYowed any connection with
that dis9ster, and offered 10 submit TO ar
bitratiOn all differences which may arise
from that affair.
The president reviews his negotiations
with Spain for ameliOratiOn OF the con-
ditions OF Cuba aud efforts made for
the relief OF the reconcentrados. follow