Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1898-12-09
The PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

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.
A review of the relation of the
United States to other powers, always |
appropriate, is this year of primary |
Importance.
IN my last annual message very full |
| consideration was given TO the ques-
ton 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 have been called upon 10
| deal
The war continued on the old foot
! ing without comprehensive plan, de-
veloping only the same spasmodic en-
counters, barren of strategic result,
that had marked the course of the
earlier ten years rebellion as well as
the present insurrection from its start.
30 alternative save physical eXhaus-
ton of either combatant and there
withal the practical rain of the island
lay in sight. but how far distant no
one could venture to cOnjccture
At this iuncturc. on the 10th of Feb.
ruary last. occurred the destruction of
the battle shin Maine while rightfully
living in the harbur of Havana on
mission of international courtesy and
good villa catastrophe the suspicious
nature and horror of which stirred the
nations heart profoundly. The finding
Of the Naval Board of Inquiry estab-
liShed that the origin of the explosion
was external by Il submarine mine ana
only halted, thrOugh lack of positive
testimony, to fix the responsibility OF
its authorship.
All these things carried conviction to
the most thoughtful, even before the
finding of the naval court that cris-
is in our relations with Spain and to-
ward Cuba was at hand.
Nor was the apprehension of coming
strife confined to our own country.
1t was felt by the continental powers.
which, on April &. through their Am
hassadors and EnvoYs. addressed TO
ihp Executive an expression of hope
that humanity and moderation might
mark the course of this Government
and people. and that further negotia-
tons would lead to an agreement
which. while securing the maintenance
Of peace. would afford all necessary
Guarantees for the re-establishment of
order in Cuba.
In responding to that representation.
said | shared the hope the ENJOYS
had EXPRESSED that peace might he
preserved in n manner to terminate the
chronic condition of disturbance in
cuba.
again reviewed the alternative
courses of action which had been pro
posed. concluding that the only one
compatible with our firm-set histor-
zeal traditions. was intervention as a
neutral to stop the war and check the
hopeless sacrifice Of life. even though
that resort involved hostile cOnstraint
upon both the parties to the contest, as
well to enforce truce as to guide the
eventual settlement.
The grounds jusiifying that steI
were the interests of humanity; tho
duty to protect the life and property
of our citizens in Cuba; the right &c
check injury to our commerce and
ppople through the devastation of the
island, and most important, the neet
of removing at once and forever the
constant menace and the burdens en-
tailed upon our government by tht
uncertainties and perils of the stu
alton caused by the uncomfortable dis
turbance in Cuba. said
That the long trial has proved tina
the object for which Spain has wageC
the war cannot be attained. The fir,
of insurrection may flame or may
Smolder, smolder with varying sea
sons but it has not been and it is plail
hat it can not be extnguished b!
present methods. The only hope of re
ipf and repose from condition whicl
can no longer be endured is the en-
rorced paciiication of Cuba. In tn
came of humanity in the name o
utilization. in behalf of endangefe,
american interests, which gave us tn
ight and the duty to speak and t.
net the war i'm Cuba must stop.
In view of this. the Congress wa
asked to authorize and empower tn
President to take measures to secur
q full termination of hostilities be
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