Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1898-12-09
T. the Senate and House OF Repre-

To the Senate ana House VI INePie-
sentatives:
Notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered necessary by the war, our
people rejoice in very satisfactory
and steadily increasing degree OF pros
perity, evidenced by the largest volume
of business ever recorded. Every manu-
facture has been productive, agricul-
ture pursuits have yielded abundant re-
turns, labor in the fields Of industry Is
better rewarded, revenue legislation
passed by the present Congress has in
creased the trsasury's receipts to fne
amount estimated by its authorities, 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 GER
vice under a common nag and for &
righteous cause has strengthened the
national spirit and served to cement
more closely than ever the fraternal
bonds between every section OF the
country A review of the relation Of the
United States to other powers, always
appropriate is this year of primary i'm
portance in view of the momentous
issues which have arisen, demanding In
one instance the ultimate determination
by arms, and involving far?reachlng
consequences which will require the
earnest attention Of the Congress.
DUTY TOWARD SPAIN
In my last annual message. very fun
consideration was given 10 ihe question
Of the duty of the government OF the
Tinted States toward Spain, and the
Cuban instruction, as being by far the
most important problem with which we
were called upon to deal. The con-
sidera tions then advanced, ana the cX-
.,sftion of the views therein expressed,
pSclosed my sense of the extreme gray
7, of the situation. Setting ASIDE, as
.gically unfounded, or practically mad
.nissable the recognition Of the Cupan
insurgents as belligerents the recos-
milton of the independence OF Cuba, neu-
trail intervention to end the war by I'M
posing a rational compromise between
the contestants, intervention in favor OF
one or the other party and the forcibie
annexation of the island, concluded IL
was honestly due to our friendly rela-
lions with Spain that she should De
given a reasonable chance to reallze neI
expectations of reform to which sne mao
become irrevocably committed. WITHIN
a few weeks previous she had an
nouncad comprehensive plans. which 1t
was confidently asserted would be efnca-
cious to remedy the evils so deeply az
fecting our own country, so injurious
TO the true interests of the mother coun-
try. as we'll as those of CUBA and SO
renusnant to the universal sentiment OF
The ensuing months brought little
.ien of real progress toward the paclf-
cation of Cuba. The AUTONOMOUS ad,
ministration set up in she capltal af-9
Soma of the principal cities appeared
NOT TO gain the favor of the inhabitants
nor to be able to extend their influence
to the large extent of territory held by
Hhe Insurgents. while the military arm,
obviously unable to cope with the sun
active rebellion, continued many OF me
most objectionable and offensive pclicle5
~ the government that had preceded 1t.
No tangible relief was afforded the vast
numbers of unhappy reconcentrados,
despite the reiterated professions MADE
IN that regard, and the amount appro-
priated by Spain to that md. ms prof.
Tered expedient of zones OIL cultivation
nroyed illusory: indeed, no less prac-
fIcal nor more delusive promises OF sue
cor could we'll have been rendered 20
TIE exhausted and destitute people,
stripped of llsth2t made life and home
dear, and herded in strange region
among unsympathetic strangers hardly
less necessttous than themselves.
STARVING RECONCENTRADOS.
Rv the end of December the mortali-
nv among them had frightfully in
creased. Conservative estimates from
Spanish sources placed the deaths
among these distressed people at over
10 per cent, from the time Cen Wey-
ier's decree of -reconcentrados Gss en-
forced. With the acquiescence of Span
tsh authorities, a scheme was adopted
for relief by charitable contributions.
raised in this country and distributed
under the direction of the consul gener-
ii and the several consuls. by none ana
Earnest individual effort through me or
sanized agencies OF the American heo
Cross
Thousands of lives were thus saved
b,,t many thousands more were mac
possible to such form of aid.
The war continued on the old footing
without comprehensive plan, developing
only the same spasmodic encounters,
barren of strategic result. that had
marked the course of the earlier ten
years of rebellion as well as the present
instruction from Its start. No alterna-
tive save physical exhaustion OF eita-
er combatant and herewith II the prhc-
t,caI ruin of the island, lay In sight, Dut
how far distant no one could venture
TO conjecture.
DESTRUCTION OF THE MAINE.
At this juncture, on the 18th of
February last, occurred The
destruction of the ba'ttleship Maine.
while rightfully lying in the harbor of
Havana on a mission of international
courtesy and goodwill, a cata Srrophe
the suspicious nature and horror of
which stirred she nations heart pro-
foundry. 1t IS a striking evidence OF
The poise and sturdy good sense dis
Enguishing our national character that
this shocking blow. falling upon gen.
erous people, already deeply touched
by preceding events in Cuba, did not
move them to desperate resolve to toll
crate no longer the existence of con-
hilton of danger and disorder at our
Doors that made possible such a deed
by whomsoever wrought. Yet. the In
rtinct of justice prevailed end the ma
zion anxiously awaited the result OF
the searching Investigation az once Sc,
on foot. The finding of the naval ooaro
of inquiry established that ens olisin
IF the explosion was external py
.uhn,arine mine and onls halted