Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-06

Following is the message sent TO Con-
cr.-s Yesterday by the President:
10 the senate and House Of Representa-
tges.
Notwithstanding the added burdens rem
5.-.d necessary by the war, our people
rejoice i'm a very satisfactory and steadily
Increasing degree OF prosperity. evidenced
tr the largest volume of business ever
recorded Manufacture mas been produc-
-.re. agricultural pursuits have yielded
abundant returns; labor in all fields of in
lstry IS better rewarded; revenue leg's-
luo- passed by the present Congress Sds
Increased the Treasury's receipts 10 the
amount estimated by its outaoEs' the
finances of the government have been sue
-s..fuly administered and its credit ad-
varcaI 20 the first rank, while its cur
r.r-v hes been maintained At the wcrids
Iebest standard. Military service un1cr
a common flag and for righteous cause
has strengthened the national spirit and
served 90 cement more closely than ever
trl fraternal bonds betweel every section
az the country.
A review OF the relation Of the United
States 10 other Powers. always aqprc-
r-ate. is this year OF primary Importance,
ir view Of the momentous issues which
have arisen. demanding in one instance
t-e ultimate determination by arms, and
Involving far-reaching consequences,
which viii require the earnest attention
o. the Congress.
CUBAN PROBLEM.
Tn my last annual message very full
consideration was given to the question
o. the duty OF the government of ihe
United States toward Spain and the Gu
f.r insurrection. as being by far the most
.-r.. ..4t rr5Dicm N. "a which We we're
sion called upon 10 deal. The considera-
lions then advanced and the exposition
OF the views therein expressed disclosed
my sense 90 the extreme gravity of the
situation. Setting aside, as logically un-
founded or practically inadmissible the
recognition of the Cuban insurgents as
leurerents. the recognition Of the inde-
penderce OF Cuba, neutral Intervention 10
end the war by imposing a rational com
promise between the contestants inter-
,.rtI9u iD favor Of one or the other
party and forcible annexation or the
island concluded it was honestly due
90 our friendly relations with Spain that
She should be given a reasonable chance
tH rallze her expectations or REFORM 10
which she had become irrevocably com
u.ued. Within a few weeks previously
sha had announced comprehensive plans
which 60 was confidently asserted Wouid
d. c.fcacious Co remedy the evils so deep
I affecting our own country, 50 injurious
g. the uue interests Of the mother coun-
trv. AS well as to those Of Cuba, and 50
rmsnaut to the universal sentiment OF
humanity.
Th. ensuing month brought little sign
of real progress toward the paciiicatioh
~ Cuba. The autonomist administrations
s.t up i'm the capital and some OF the
principal cities appeared not 10 gain the
favor of the inhabitants. nor to be able TO
extend their influence 70 the large extent
of territory held by the insurgents while
tte military arm. obviously unable 10
..rc with the stin active rebellion, con
tr..l many Of the most Objectionable
and offensive policies Of the government
uat bad preceded IL.
THE 'RECONCENTRADOS."
$50 tangible relief was afforded the vast
numbers Of unhappy ''reconcentrados'
despite The reiterated professions made IN
tat regard and the amount appropriated
ur spain 20 that end. The proffered eX-
l.lalt of zones of cultivation proved illu-
sorry, indeed. no less practical nor more
l.usye promises Of succor could wen
l.Ys been rendered 10 the exhausted ana
t. dilute people. stripped OF all that made
4la and home dear, ana hcrded IN d
strange region. among unsympatheuc
strangers hardly less necessltous thah
lem Ives. a.
Hy me- end Of December the mortality
among them had frightfully Increased.
Conservative estimates from spanish
sources placed the deaths among these
o. .r,sse1 people at over 40 per cent from
~. time General Weyler's decree OF re-
concentration was enforced. With The ac-
Q...sceuCe Of the Spanish authorities
scheme was adopted for relicf 10y chail-
iau.. coutribgti0ns raised IN THIS country
t.- .i-frlDuted, under the direction OF
i.t Consul-General and the several con-
s by noble and earnest individual Ell
i.ft. through the organized agencies OF
i.n American Red-CrOss Society Ihou-
SANDS ~ lives were thus saved. but many
thousands more were inaccessible 70 such
forms %. aid
The war continued on the old footing
without comprehensive plan. developing
VlF the same spasmOdlc encounters pal
i'h ol strategic results. that had markea
.fr course OF the earlier tcn-yearS rebel
Jon. as Wen as the present insurrection,
rom iis start. No alternative save phy-
tI'l exhaustion by either combatant, ana
ltroWithal the PRACTICAL ruin OF the
and Jay in sight but how far distant
NJ one could venture 20 conjecture.
DESTRUCTION OF THE MAINE
40 This iuncture. on the 18th OF Feb
t-ary last. occurred the destruction OF
.. ba,tleship Maine while rightiuliy
f.ne in The h8rbor Of Habana on mis-
..l of International courtesy ana good
villa catastrophe the Suspicious nature
ani horror OF which strried the nations
hcTt profoundly. II Is "a striking evil
0'tce ~ ihc pOise and sturdy good sense
lfilnguis hing our nationaH character that
lns shocking blow falling upon a gene
I21s people. already deeply touched by
I'cDding events in Cubal did not move
lhem 90 an instant, dgopArate resolve 10
DtIate no longer the oxist ence OF a con-
ntn NJ danger and dis0rCt at our doors
lh made possible such Deed. BY whom
h, ler Wrought Yet the Instincts Of
wee prevailed, and the nation anxious
~ aNatcn The result OF the searching In
,ifatlon at once set on foot. The iind-
~ ,' ihc naval board Of inquiry estab-
nthed mat the origin % the lexplosion was
L.fna by "a submarine mine and only