The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-12-10
PRESIDENTS MESSAG {
A Critical Review of the War
with Spain.
NO POLICY OUTLINED.
Executive Says We Must Await Sign
ing of Treaty Before Dis
cussion Begins.

Washington, y. c., Dec. 5.-President
Mckinley's second annual me- sage, sub
United to Congress today contains about
2o,uD words. Following are the more
important features of the message.
To the Senate and House of Represen-
tatiyes: Notwithstanding the added bur
dens rendered necessary by the war. Our
people rejoice in a very satisfactory aud
steadlIy-lncTeasing degree of prosperity,
evidenced By the largest volume of bust
ness ever recorded. Manufacture has
been productive. agricultural pursuits
have yielded abundant returns, labor in
all fields of industry is better rewarded,
revenue legislation passed by the present
Congress has Increased the treasury's re-
celpts 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 Il
righteous cause has strengthened the ma
tlonal spirit and served to cement more
closely than ever the fraternal bonds be-
tween every section of the country.
In reviewing the controversy which led
up to the war with Spain, the President
takes up the thread of narrative where it
terminated in his last message. He con-
Guided: 1T was hone. ly due to our
friendly relations with Spain that she
should be given a reasonable chance to
realize her expectations of reform 10
which she had become irrevocably COM
mitted.'
1t became evident. however. that the
proposed plans were barren of good re-
suits. No tangible relief was afforded the
reconcentradoS. among whom the rate ct
mortality frightfully increased, the prof
Tered eXpedlent of zones Of cultivation
proved illusory and it was apparent that
nothing save the physical exhaustion Of
Spain or the Cubans and the practical ruin
of the island of Cuba could result from
the struggle then in progress.
Destruction of the Maine.
At this critical juncturc, the destruc-
ton of the battlsshp Maine occurred.
Concerning il the President said: ut j.
a striking evidence of the poi>e and
sturdy good sense distinguishing mr. ma
tiOnai character that this shocking blow.
falling upon a generous people already
deeply touched by preceding events III
Cuba, did not move them to an instant,
desperate resolve to tolerate no longer the
existence of an end of danger and dis
order at our doors that made possible
such a decd. by whem>oeyef wrought
Resuming the war narrative, the PreSl-
dent directs attention to the measures.
for national defense taken To place thu
country on war footing. and adds: III
IS sufficient TO say that the outbreak Of
war, when it did come. found oar nation
not unprepared to meet the conflict
+ Reference is made to the apprehension
of coming strife by the continental pow
ers, voiced in the address To the Presi
dent through their ambassadors and en-
voys. and to the Presidents reilly there
to. Still animated. however, by the hope
Of a peaceful solution of the difficulty and
0beying the dictates of duty. the PresI-
dent relaxed 10 effort TO bring about a
speedy ending of the Cuban struggle.
Negotiations with the Madrid government
proved futile 50 far as practical results
the President presented the question to
Congress. saying:
In the name Of humanity. in the name
ST civilization, in behalf Of endangered
American interests which give rs the
right and duty to speak. and to act. the
var in CUBA must stop,
The result Of this statement of the ca 81
was the adoption Of the memorable joint
resolution by Congress, declaring the pur-
pose of the Jnited States to intervene
between the Spaniards ana Cubans.
Following swiftly upon the enactment
Of the resolution came the severance Of
diplomatic relations between the two
countries. the proclamation Of a blockade
of Cuban ports, the call for volunteers
and the formal declaration of the exist
ence of a state Of war. All other govern
ments We're Immediately notified of the
existence of war and each proclaimed
neutrality.
1t is not among the least gratifying
incidents of the struggle that the obliga-
lions of neutrality were impartialr dis
charged by all, often under delicate and
difficult circumstances, remarks the
President