The evening times., 1898-12-05
MONDAY, DECEMBER 5. 1895.
The Message.

The Presidents message Is not longer
than the events Of the past five months
would warrant, but il is worthy of note
that the most important Of these, the
war with Spain and the enlarged re-
sponsibilities Of the nation growing out
of il, take bur small part of the
whole Besides an outline history of
conflict there are only the bTiefest refer
ences To the fruits OF victory, these
matters being reserved for special mos
sages on the completion Of the treaty
and when tht need for legislation touch
ing the islands arises. No advantage is
taken of the opportunity for a display
Of eloquent enthusiasm. on the con-
trary. there is an apparently studied
effort 10 keep the recital as free from
the exhibition of emotion as possible.
The message relates the events leading
UP to the war briefly, dwelling on the
efforts of the President to reach salts
factory settlement Of the Cuban trouble
by peaceable means. Ii describes in a
few lines the sui1erings Of the Cubans
and the complete failure of Spain to
respond 10 his endeaVors. the patience
uf the American people during the in
Nestigation OF the Maine tragedy, and
his final disappointment which induced
him TO remit the whole question to
Congress. He pays a tribute TO the
patriotism of that body which was
shown by generous appropriations and
the prompt granting of the power to
declare war, etc. There is nothing in
This entire recital that is new To the
public, except the significant remark.
which contradicts the assertions OF the
- CT -tary Of War, that the outbreak of
war found US not unprepared TO meet
The conflict 4 paragraph is devoted
~ the remarkable victory OF Dewey.
and in the mention OF the destruction of
Cervera's 5 fleet there Is a careful omis-
sion of names, the credit being given in
a general way. OF the Santiago cam
paign nothing is said touching the scan
dals and there is no reference to the
Tavages Of epidemic disease in the
camps Of mobilization. There is, how
ever. unstinted praise for the army TO
the Red Cross and our patriotic pe1-
ple.
A bare outline of the history of the
peace negotiations, from the signing of
the protocol to the meeting Of the Peace
Commissioners at Paris, completes the
Presidents story Of the war. He re-
serves all discussion Of the treaty of
peace and the future of our new pos
sessions Tor later messages, concluding
with the statement that il will be neces-
sary to continue for time the military
government of the present In Cuba.
Spanish rule must be replaced by a
just, benevolent and humane govern
ment created by the people of Cuba
Until there is complete tranquility,
military rule by this country must be
maintained. The greater part of the
document deals with our foreign rela-
tions, and gives a brief history Of
events in Central America Included in
this part of the message is reference
To the Nicaragua Canal, on which Rear
Admiral Walkers commission is soon
TO make a report. He urges some def
mite action by Congress in view of an
option granted by Nicaragua to another
association. The President touches on
our Chinese relations. asserting our
claim 10 a share in tke trade and the
protection Of our citizens in any future
arrangements by yhe European powers.
lie approves the suggestion of COM
mission to study the commercial and
industrial conditions of China. At pres
ready a
there to protect our citizens and our in
terests. Nothing is said, directly. of our
Willingness TO cooperate with England
and there is an excess Of caution and
reserve In The neglect To refer to En-
glands efforts for more cordial relations
with this country.
There is less Of an abstract of the re-
port Of the Secretary of the Treasury
than is usual That portion Of his pre-
vious message advocating legislation
for the gradual retirement of the green
backs is repeated and there is a three
line statement Of an obvious demand
for other legislation relating TO the cur
rency, which the reader is left to con-
strue as he will. There is a warm an
proTal Of the suggestion of a centennial
celebration at the Capital in
1900 and a request for an appro
priation and the appointment of COM
mittees from both Houses. 1t is sug-
sested that the President also appoint
a committee from the country at large
70 make the plans for a great celebra-