The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-12-07

Wahuihp Nhtiinctton tof tine tat'imrr
Congress Urged to Act In Regard
10 the Nicaragua Canal Government
In sympathy with thr Cars Peace
Movement Condition of the Treasury.
President McKinley's message was
submitted to Congress last Monday.
The war is carefully reviewed from be-
ginning to end and the president feels
grateful over the result. Our new
possessions and their future govern
rnents. as well as the history of the
war are considered In the following
m, ssage:
Washington. December 5.-The Pres
ident's message was sent to Congress
To the Senate and House of Represen-
tatives:
Notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered necessary by the war our
people are in very satisfactory and
steadily increasing degree of prosper
ity. evidenced by the largest vol
ume Of business ever recorded
Manufacture has been produc-
tive. agricultural pursuits have
yielded abundant returns. labor In all
helds of industry Is better rewarded,
revenue legislation passed by the pres
ent Congress has increased the treas
ury's receipts to the amount estimates
by its authors; the finances of the gov
ernment have been successfully admin
istered and its credit advanced to the
first rank; while its currency has been
maintained at the worlds highest
standard. Military service under
common flag 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
al propriate, is this year of primary
Importance in view of the momentous
issues which have arisen. demanding
in one instance the ultimate determin-
alton by arms and involving far-reach-
ing consequences which viii inspire
The earnest attention of the Congress.
In my last message very full consid-
Grafton was given to the question Of
the government of the United States
toward Spain and the Cuban insurrec-
tion as being by far the most impor-
tant problem with which we were then
called upon to deal The considerations
then advanced, and the exposition of
the views therein expressed. disclosed
my serse of the evtreme gravity of the
situation. Setting aside, as logically
unfounded or practically inadmissibe.
the recognition of the Cuban insurg-
Cuba. neutral Intervention to end the
war by imposing a rational compro-
mise between the contestants inter-
Yention In favor of one or the other
party. and forcihle annexation of the
isiaud-I concluded 1t was honestly due
To our friendly relations with Spain
that she should be given a reasonable
chance to realize her expectations of
reform to which she had become ire
socably committed Within few weeks
previously she had announced compre-
honsive plans which ii was confidently
asserted would be eiIicacious to reme-
dy the evils so deeply affecting our
country. so injurious to the true in
terests of the mother country as well
as TO those of Cuba, and so repugnant
10 the universal sentiment Of human
ity.
The ensuing month brought little
sign of real progress toward the pacifi-
cation of Cuba. The autonomous ad-
mintstration set up in the capital and
some 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
the insurgents. while the military arm,
obviously unable to cope with the still
active rebellion continued many of the
most Objectionable and offensive poll
des OF the government that had pre-
ceded 1t. No tangible relief was af-
forded the vast numbers of unhappy
reconcentrados. despite the reiterated
professions made in that regard and
the amount appropriated by Spain to
that end. The proffered expedient of
DoEes OF cultivation proved illusOry;
indeed, no less practical nor more de-
lusive promises of succor could woii
have been rendered to the exhausted
and destitute people, stripped Of all that
made life and home dear, and herded
In strange region among unsympa-
thetic strangers hardly less neoessltous
than themselves.
, MEETING a CRISIS.
BY the end Of December the mortal
ity among them had frlghtfully in
creased. Conservative estimates from
Spanish sources placed the deaths
among these distressed people at over
20 per cent. from the time Gen. Wey-
hrs decree of rec ccncentration was en-
forced. With the acquiescence of the
spanish authorities a scheme was
adopted for relief by charitable contrl-
buttons, raised in this country and dis
sributed. under the direction of the
consul general and the several consuls
by noble and earnest Individual effort
through the organized agencies of the
American Red Cross. Thousands of
lives were thus saved. but many thou
sAuus hioTc were lHdcCeSSlDle 10 sucn
forms Of aid.
The war conellued on the old footing
without comprehensive plan, develop
Ing only the same spasmodic encount-
ers. barren Of strategic result, that had
marked the course of the earlier ten
years rebellion as well as the present
insurrection from its start No altern-
alive save physical exhaustion of
either combatant, and therewithal the
practical ruin of the island, lay in
sight, but how far distant no one could
venture to conjecture.
At this juncture. on the 18th OF Feb
Ruary last. occurred the destruction of
the battieship Maine. while rightfully
lying In the harbor of Havana on a
mission of international courtesy and
good villa catastrophe the suspicious
nature and horror OF which stirred the
nations heart profoundly. 1t Is a
striking evidence of the poise and
sturdy good sense distinguishing our
national character that this shocking
blows falling upon q generous people.
aEoady deeply touched by preceding
svsats In Cuba, did not move them 70
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