Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-12-10
President Mckinley Sent 1t
70 Congress.
Events Leading Up to the War
with Spain are Given
at Length.
LegIsIntion is Asked for to Increase
the strength of the Army TO lOO,-
900 lIen, Also TO Provide a
Form of Government for
Hawaii-NO Fixed Co
loninl Policy iu
Suggested.

10 thu sehsSS and House OF Represen-
tatives: Notwithstanding the added bur-
dens rendered necessary by the war, our
people rejoice in very satisfactory anu
steadily increasing degree of prosperity
evidenced by the largest volume Oh pusa-
Manufacture has been productive, agri-
cultural pursuits have yielded apunuant
returns labor in all fields OF Industry is
better rewarded, revenue legislatioh
passed by the present congress mas IN
creased the treasury's recelpts 10 t@he @
amount estimated by Its authors; the
finances of the government have been sue
cessfully administered and Its credit ad-
vanced to the first rank; while It's cur cur
rency has been maintained at tne Worlu
highest standard.
Military service under a common nag
and for righteous cause mas ] strengtn, n.
ened the national spirit and served 10
cement more closely than ever the IRA.
ternal bonds between every section or TINS
A review of the relation of the Unitei
States to other powers, always appro-
pirate. is this year of primary importance
in view of the momentous issues whicl
have arisen, demanding in one instance
the ultimate determination by arms ana
Involving far-reaching consequences
of the congress.
Duty TO Cuba. r--tc
In my last annual message very fuf
consideration was given to the question
of the duty of the government of the Unit
ed States toward Spain and the Cuban In
surrection, as being by far the most i'm
portant problem with which we were then
called upon to deal, with considerations
then advanced, and the exposition OF the
views therein expressed disclosed my
sense OF the extreme gravity of the situ-
alton.
without comprehensive plan. developing
only the same spasmodic encounters, bar
rem of strategic result, that had marked
the course of the earlier 10 years rebellion
oil ns inSurreCtiOn
Its start.
No alternative save physical exhaustion
of either combatant and therewithal the
practical ruin of the island. lay in sight,
Tut how far distant no one could ventura
90 conjecture.
The Maine Disaster.
AT this juncture.. on Feb; 10 last, oc-
Maine, while rightfully lying in the harbor
of Havana, on mission of International
courtesy and goood villa catastrophe
the suspicious nature and horror of which
stirred the nations heart profoundly
Yet the instinct of justice prevailed and
the nation anxiously awaited the result
OF the searching investigation at once set
on foot.
The finding OF the naval board of in
quiry established that the origin OF the
explosion was external, by a submarine
mine and only halted, through lack of
positive testimony, to fix the responsible
ties OF its authorship.
All these things carried conviction to the
most thoughtful even before the finding
of the naval court that crisis in our
relations with Spain and toward Cuba
So strong was this belief that 1T needed
but a brief executive suggestion to the
congress to receive immediate answer to
the duty OF making instant provision for
the possible and perhaps speedily proba-
BILE emergency OF war. ana the the remarka-
sented of a unanimous vote of both
houses, on the 9th of March, appropriat-
ing SO, 600 900 for the national defense and
purpose connected
Herewith, to be expended at the discre-
ton OF the president"
our navy needed large provision for in:
creased ammunition and supplies and
even numbers to cope wlth any sudden
nrised modern vessels OF the highest type
of continental perfection. Our army alsc
required enlargement or men and NUM-
tons
still animated by the hope of peace
full solution, and obeying the dictates OF
duty no effort was relaxed to bring abou
speedy ending && && Of the Gu cuban so strugfg.e fis;i,
time at Madrid, resulting in offers by the
Spanish government which could not bu
be regarded as inadequate.
Grieyeu and disappointed at the barrer
outcome of my sincere endeavors TO reacl
a practicable solution, felt It my duty tC
remit the whole question to the congress
The response OF congress, after Mint
davs of earnest deliberation, during whici
the almost unanimous sentiment OF you
body was developed on every point. saw
as fo the expediency of coupling the pro
posed action with formal recognition o
the republic Cu9s 's as shs Srue aonnsfo ana
which failed of adoption-the congress
after conference on April 10, by a vote o
42 to IS in the senate; ana ana Sil sd 10 IN tn tn
memorable joint resolution.
This resolution was approved by tn
executive on the next day, April 20.
copy was at once communicated to tn
Spanish minister at this capital, VIII
forthwith announced that his continuanc
in Washington had thereby become i'm
possible, and asked for his passports
which were given him after the instruc
tion reached Gen. W9odford In Madrid o
could present It the Spanish minister @
state notified him that upon the pres
dents approval of the joint resolution. tn
Madrid government, regarding the act a
equivalent to an evident declaratio Q
war" had ordered its minister in Wash
ington to withdraw thereby breaking or
diplomatic relations between the TIVE
countries and ceas:ng all official commu
nlcation between their respective govern
mentS.
Spain having thus denied the demand o
the United States and initiated that com
plete form of rupture OF relations whcl
attends a state of war. the executive pow
ers authorized by the resolution were a
once used by me to meet the enlarge
contingency OF actual war between sover
elgn states. on April % / proclaimed
blockade of the north coast of Cuba.
BY my message of April rs, the con
gress was informed of the situation an
1 recommended formal declaration OF IN
existence of a state of war between tn
United States and Spain. The congress
accordingly voted on the same day, tn
act approved April 25 1898, declaring IN
existence of such war from and includln
the 2lst day of April.
Our country thus, after an interval c
half a century OF peace with all nation
found itself engaged in deadly confiit
with a foreign enemy Every nerve wa
strained TO meet the emergency,
Every precauton was taken to preveI
possible Injury to our great cities lyin
along the coast Temporary garrison
were provided, drawn from the sta
militia; infantry and light batteries WEI
drawn from the volunteer force. Abol
1900 troops were thus employed. I'll
coast signal service was established, al
the life-saving and lighthouse services c
operated. which enabled the navy d.
partments to have all portions of the A
lantic coast from Maine to Texas und,
observation,
The auxiliary navy was created und
authority of congress and was ofilcert