The Globe-republican., 1898-12-08
Principal Part Devoted to a Narra-
tive Of the War With Spain.
NO STARTLING SUGGESTIONS.
The Peace Treaty Stiu Unslgned, tho
. President Does Not Discuss the Per.
| manent Colonial Polloy-Th0 Chi
nese Question-Little Now
ON Currency-Army In
crease 100000.

To the Senate and House Of Representatives:
Notwithstanding the added burdens rendered
necessary by the war. our people rejoice In a
very satisfactory and steadily increasing
degree Of prosperity. evide iced By the larg-
est volume Of business ever recorded. Every
manufacture has been productive, agriculture
pursuits have yielded abundant returns labor
10 the fields OF industry is better rewarded. rev.
enue legislation passed by the present congress
has increased tie treasury's receipts to the
amount estimated by its authorities. the
finances Of the government have been carefully
administered and its credit advanced to the
nrst rank while it's currency has been main
tanned at the worlds highest standard Mill
tary service under o common flag and for q
righteous cause has strengthened the national
spirit and served to cement more closely than
ever the fraternal bonds between every section
OF the country.
review Of the relation Of the United States
to other powers, always appropriate is this
year Of primary Importance in view OF the mo-
mentOus questions which have arisen. demand
Ing in one instance the ultimate determination
by arms and involving far-reachinR conse-
Quences which will require the earnest atten-
ton OF congress.
THE WAR WITH SPAIN.
In my last annual message very full consid-
Grafton 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 EXPOSE
ton OF the views therein expressed, disclosed
my sense Of the extreme gravity Of the situa-
ton
The message then reviews in detail the state
Of affairs existing in Cuba up to the time Of the
destruction Of the battleship Maine. and con-
tnues:
On tho 18th Of February. last occurred the
destruction Of the battleship Maine. while
rightfully lying in the harb0r Of Havana on q
mission OF international courtesy and good
wiu-a catastrophe the suspicious nature and
horror Of which stirred the nations heart pro-
foundry. It is a striking evidence Of the p Use
and sturdy good sense Distinguishing our no
tlOnal character that this shocking blow. fall
ing upon generous people already deeply
touched by preceding events in Cuba d!d not
move them to an instant, desperate resolve to
tolerate no longer the existence of . condition
OF danger and disorder at our doors that made
possible such deed by whomsoever wrought
Yet the instinct Of justice prevailed.
and the nation anxiously awaited the
result OF the searching investigation at once set
on foot. The finding Of the naval board Of in
auiry established that the origin Of the explos-
ion was external by a 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
vas this belief that 1t needed but brief execu-
live 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 remark
able. almost unique spectacle was presented of
. unanimous vote Of both houses on the 9Th
OF March. appropriating $50, 900 ''for the
pose connected Herewith, to be expended at the
discretion of tho President"
That this act Of provision came none too soon
was disclosed when the application Of the funds
was undertaken. Our forts wero practically
undefended Our navy needed large provision
for increased ammunition and supplies, and
oven 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 mon and
munitions The details OF the hurried prepare
lions for tho dreaded contingency is told in the
reports Of the secretaries OF war and Of the
navy. and need not be repeated hero. 1t IS SUI
hcient to say that tho outbreak Of war. when it
did como. found our nation not unprepared to
meet the conflict.
Nor was the apprehension OF coming strife
confined to our own country. 1t was felt by the
powers which on April 18th, 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 and that further nego
while securing the maintenance OF peace. would
efnrm all necessary guarantees foy the re-
OF order in Cuba In responding
to the presentation. also shared tho hope that
the ENJOYS had expressed that peace might be
preserved in o manner to terminate the chronic
condition OF disturbance In Cuba so injurious
aud menscing to our interests and tranquility,
manity: and. while approaching the humanita-
rian aud dsinterested character Of the commu-
nifty they had made on behalf Of the powers. it
stated that the confidence Of this government
for its part, that equal appreciation would be
shown for its earnest and unselflsh endeo~ors
70 fuldll duty OF humanity by ending situa-
uon. the indefinite prolonsation Of which had
become iusuferable.
Still animated by the hope OF q peaceful solu-
tion and obeying the dictates Of duty. no effort
wss relaxed to bring about . speedy ending OF
tho Cuban struggle. Negotiations to this OBJ
ject continued actively with the government Of
Spkin looking to the immediate conclusion Of y
SIX months sxnisticein Cuba with . view to
erect tho recognition Of her peoples right to
cation OF the order Of Recommendation was
asked so that tho sufferers, returning TO their
homes and aided by united American and Span
ish effort might be put in . way TO support
themselves. and. by orderly 10 sumption OF the
well nigh destroyed productive energies Of the
island contribute to tho restoration OF its tran
guilty and we'll being. Negotiations continued
for some little time at Madrid resulting in
Offers by the Spanish government which could
not but be regarded as inadequate. It was pro-
posed 70 conflde the preparation OF peace to
the tnsular 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
meut. which to that end. would grant an armis-
tice. II solicited by the insurgents. for such
time IS the general-in-chief might soc At to ix
How. and with what scope Of discretionary
powers the insular par lament was expected to
set about the preparation" Of peace did not
appear. II 1t was to be by negotiation with the
insurgents, the issue seemed to rest on the one
side with body chosen By faction of the
electors In the districts under Spanish control
and the other. with the insurgent population
holding tho interior country. unrepresented In
the so-called parliament AMI defiant At the
suggestion Of suing for peace
Grieved and dis ppointed 1t this barren out
como Of nv sincere eudeavorS to reach prac-