The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-06
NECESSITY OF THE
NICARAGUA CANAL.

President Mckinley in his message to
ne Finy-lfth Congress says
TO the senate and House Of Representa-
tives.
Notwithstanding The added burdens rem
dered necessary by tho war. our people
rejoice in d very satisfactory and steadily
increasing degree of prosperity, evil
denced by the largest volume Of bust
ness cvar recorded. Manufacture has
been productive. agricultural pursuits
have yielded abundant returns. labor in
on fields OF industry is better rewarded,
revenue legislation passed by the pres
ent Congress has increased the treas
ury's receipts to the amount estimated
by its authors; the finances of the gov
eminent have been successfully admin
istered and It's credit advanced 70 the
first rank. while It's currency has been
maintained AT the worlds highest stan
dard Military service under "a common
flag and for righteous cause has
strengthened the national spirit and
served to cement more closely than ever
the fraternal bonds between every see
tOn Of the country.
OUR RELATION TO OTHERS
a view of the relation of the United
States 10 other powers, always appro-
pirate. is This year of primary Importance
lu View of the momeufous issues which
have arisen. demanding in one instance
the uI' I'im4tc determination by arms and
involving far-reaching consequence
which viii require the earnest attention
of Congress.
Ia my last annual message very fun
II "a.
Of the duty Of the government of the
United States toward Spain and the Gu
ban lnsurrection as being by far the most
important problem with which wc were
tlrn called upon to deal Ine cousidera-
gous then advanced, ANA inc exposition
of the views therein expressed, disclosed
uy sense o. Che extreme gravity of the
situation.
Setting aside as logically unfoundod or
practically inadmissi1le the recognition
Of tae cuban insurgents as belligcrents.
tAe recognition of the independence of
cuba neutral Intervention to end the
Har Dog imposing "a rational compromise
between The contestants. Intervention ia
favor of oae or The other party and
forcl1ie annexation Ci the islnnd con-
CiudcQ So was homes ,iy due 90 our friendly
relations with Spain thai sho should be
given q reasonable chance to realize her
elDectati0ns of reform lo which She had
become irrcrocahIy committed. Within
few weeks previously She had announced
comprehensive plans which. IL was
confidently asserted. would Dc ei-
icac.ous 90 remedy ,he evils so
deeply aneorus our own coun-
Try. so injurious to the true interests
OF tnc mother country aa well as 90
those Of CuDa. ana s0 rcpuen8nt 20 the
tr.fD.ratN .InfHf.r.nf D.. humanity
UNSUCCESSFUL PLANS.
The ensuing month brought nttlc sign
OF rea progreas toward tae pac.dcatiOn
of cuba. The autonomists adinlnisira-
lions set mp in the capital and some OF
The principal cities appeared not 20 gain
the favor OF the iuhabdtnts nor TO- be
able TO extend influence TO the large cX-
tent of territory held by the insurgents
while The military arm. obviously unable !
10 cope with tie stil active rebellion,
continued many of the most Objectionable !
and offensive policies OF the government !
that had preceded a. 30 tangible relief /
was Afforded the vast numbers OF luhop- !
pe rrconcentradotr, despite tne reiterated !
professions made in thae regard and /
lhc ap.opnt appropriated by Spain 10 that
ud The Dronercd eSpedient OF zones (
- cultivation proved iIlusory indeed. no ,
81 succor could well have been rendered /
20 tho exhausted and destitute people. .
stripped o. all that made life and home /
1ear and bearded In strange region /
among unsympathetic strangers hardly /
ICES neccssitOuf than Themselves.
by the end o. December the mortality !
smonG them had frightfully increased. !
Conservative estlmate from Spanish !
sources placed the deaths among these /
distressed people az over 20 per cent. from !
TIE time General Weylers decree OF re- /
,Cncentration was enforced
RELIEF BY CHARITY.
With the acquiescence Of tho Spanish |
authorities. a scheme was adopted for 4
'eliee by charitable contributions raised !
u this country and distributed under !
he dl"cction Of the Consui-Ceneral and !
DC several consuls by noble aud earnest |
pd'yidual effort through the organized |