The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1898-12-15
ANNUAL MESSAGE.
President Mckinley to the Closing
Session Of Fifty-Fifth Congress.
Writes Of the War with spain from Its In
ceptIob-Problems That Came with
Victory Govsrnment of New
Terrttortss.

hinley sent the following message to
; the Fifty-ifth congress after he had
l been informed by committees that the
senate and house awaited any COM
munication he wished to make to
them:
! To the Senate and House o. Representatives.
Notwithstanding the added burdens rendered
/ necessary by the war our people rejoice In
very satisfactory and steadily Increasing de-
gree Of prosperity evidenced by the largest
volume Of business ever recorded Every man
liacture has been productive AGRICULTURAL pur-
suits have yielded abundant returns. labor ia
the fields OF industry Is better rewarded. rev.
enue legislation passed by the present congress
has increased the treasury's receipts to the
amount estimated by its authorities the
finances Of the government have been sue
cessiuily admintstrai ed and Is credit advanced
TO the first rank, while its currency has been
maintained at the worlds livhsst standard
Mi itary service under a common flag and tor
rightrous cause has strengthened the national
spirit and served to cement more closely than
ever the fraternal bonds between every section
Of the country
The president here takes up the his
tory of the Cuban insurrection, the
failure Of Spain to successfully cope
with affairs in the island and the un-
successful efforts of this country for a
refers to the destruction OF the battle
ship Maine, "a catastrophe the sus-
picious nature and horror of which
stirred this nations heart profoundly"
The initiatory steps leading up to the
war are recounted, the unanimity of
congress in passing needed legislation
to strengthen the executive is praised
and the facts regarding the declara-
tion of war are told anew. The presi-
dent then recites the salient features
OF the war, paying a glowing tribute
to Americas heroes on lana and sea;
refers TO Dewey's remarkable victory
at Manila, to the mililsFy movements
in Cuba and finally to the destruction
of Cervera's feet and the capitulation
of Santiago. Continuing, he says:
susnisn Overtur-s tor Peace.
The annhilation OF Admiral Cervera's feet,
followed oy the capitulation of Santiago hav-
Ing brought to the Spanish government real
izinl sense OF the hopelessness OF continuing
struggle now becoming wholly un'qual II
made overtures Of peace through the French
| umbassador Accordingly On the afternoon OF
August L. NJ Cambnn. as the plenipotentiary
OF pa n. and the secretary OF state, as the
plenipotentiary OF the United States, signed a
protocol
| Immediately upon the conclusion OF the pro-
| tocol. issued a procl imaiion OF August a..
| suspendinR hoStilities on the par, OF the United
States The necessary orders TO tn 4 end we're
at oncs given by telegraph. The blockade Of
| the ports OF Cuba and san Jlan de Porto Rico
was in like manner raised, On August IS the
muster out Of lJJ iOJ volunteers or as near that
number as was found TO be practicable was
ordered The military committees TO superin-
| tend the evacuation OF Cuba Porto Rico and
A.
The Peace ComInI-si"n.
Pursuant to the fifth article of the protocol
/ / appointed William r Day, lately secretary
OF state: Gu ,hman X. Davis, William p. Frye
/ ana George Grav, senators Of the United States,
and Whilelaw Reid, TO be the peace commits
sioners on the part of the United States Pro-
ceedng in due season to Faris they there
met on the lst OF October five commissioners
similarly appointed on the part OF Spain The
negotiations have made hopeful progress so
that trust soon to be abs to lay a definite
| treaty OF peace before the senate with a re-
| view OF the steps leading to It's signature
| MILITARY Government, for "A Time.
| l do not discuss at this tine the government
or the future OF the new possessions which will
come TO US the result OF war with Spain Such
a discussion will be appropriate after the
| treaty OF peace shall be ratified In the mean
time and until congress has legislated other
wise, It will be my duty to continue the mill
tary governments which haze existed since our
occupation and give its people security in life
and property and encoura cement under Just
and beuefcent rule
THE Nicaragua Canal CommIssIon.
The Nicaragua canal commission, under the
championship OF Rear Admiral John G. Walker,
appointed July "a, 1897, act Of June OF that
year. has nearly completed its labors, and the
results OF its exhaustive inquiry into the
propar route, the feasibility, and the cost OF
construction OF an inter-oceanic canal by a
u n H. - IL
the performance OF its task the commission re-
eeived all possible courtesy and assistance from
the governments Of Nicaragua and Costa Rica,
which thus testified their appreciation OF the
importance Of giving q speedy and practical
outcome 10 the great pro.ect that has for so
many years engrossed the attention OF the re-
spective countries.
The Parts Exposition.
There is now every prospect that the partici-
pa ion Of the United Statss In the universal
position to be held in Paris in 9 will be on O
seal comm nsurate with the advanced posi-
tion held by cur products and industries in the
worlds chief martS By a provision in the
sundry civil appropriation act OF July l. 1898 a
sum not to exceed t65 o . was allotted for the
organization Of a commission to care for the
proper prep ration and installation OF
American exhibits and for the display OF
suitable exhibits by the several executive de-
par ments particularly by the department Of
agriculture, the hsh commits sion and the Smith
sonian institution. In he representation OF tn
government OF the United States Pursuant
n that enactment appointed Mr.. Ferdinand
W, Peck OF Cnica TO- Commissioner general
with an assistant commissioner general and
secretary
K.istIons with Great Britain.
Our relations with Great Britain have coz
tlnued on the mostfrisnlly footing. As entint
TO our request. the protection OF Americans
and their interests in Spanish Jurisdiction was
assumed by tn diplomat, ana consular repre-
senlatiyes OF Great Britain. who fu,n.led their
deli ate and arduous trust with tact and z.al
elicitine high commentator.
II will give me snecial sat sfautiou II / shall
be authorized TO communigate to you a favor
able conclusion OF the pending NEGOTIATIONS
with Great Britain In re'pect 70 the Dominion
OF Canada It is the earnest wish OF this gov
eminent to remove all sources OF discord and
irritation in relations with the neighboring do
minion The trade between the two eoun rieS
is constantly increasing aud II is important to
both countries that all reasonable facilities
should be granted for It's Development
ne Ann x,Ion OF tn- HsSau, Islands
Pending the consideration by the senate OF
the treaty signed June 10 Is97, by the plsni-
potentiarirs of the United States aud tn re-
public OF Hawaii. providing for the annexation
OF the Islands. Joint resolution 10 accomplish
the same purpose by accepting The OF red ces-
sion ard Incorporating The cedad territory into
the union, was adopted by the con ,ress and
approved July {. ls9s I thereupon directed
the United States steamer Philadel-
phia 10 convey Rear Admiral Mi Ter
to Honolulu and entrusted 10 hi>
hands this important legislative act e.
be delivered to the preside>id mt OF Hawai-
with whom the admiral and the United states
minister were authorized 70 make appropriate
arrangements for transf srring the sovereignty
OF the Islands TO the United States THIS va
simply but lmpressively accomplished on the