The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-12-10
PRESIDENT 70 CONGRESS.
Digest of the Annual Message of
President Mckinley to the Con-
gress of the United States.
LARGELY REVIEW OF THE RECENT WAR.
The President Has Only Words of Praise
for Those Who Brought the War to a
Successful Conclusion, and Looks For
ward Confidently to the Conclusion of an
Honorable Treaty of Peace with Spain.

Washington, Dec. 5.-President NC
Kinley's second annual message, sub
mitted to congress, contains o 90
900 words. Following is a brief synop-
sis including some direct excerpts of
the more important features of the
message:
TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES: Notwithstanding
the adde burdens rendered necessary by
the war, our people rejoice in a very sat
iSfactOry and Steadiiy-increasing degree
of prosperity evidenced by the largest
volume of Business ever recorded Manu-
features have been productive, aSrlcui-
turdl pursuits have yIeIded abundant re-
turns. labor in all fields of industry is
better rewarded, revenue legislation
passed by the present congress has in
creased the treasury'S receipts to the
amount stimate by its authors; the
finances of the government have been sue
cessfuily administered and its credit ad-
vanccd to the first rank; while its cur
rency has been maintained at the world
highest standard. Military service under
4 common laS and for 4 righteous cause
has strengthened the national spirit, and
served to cement more closely ina ever
the tratcrnal bonds between every Sec
ton of the country.
CONTROVERSY WITH SPAIN RE-
VIEWED.
In reviewing the controversy which led
up to the war with Spain, the president
takes up the thread or narrative where
it terminated in his last nnual mes
sage. He concluded: 1T was honestly
due to our friendly relations with Spain
that she should be given a reasonable
chance to realize her expectations Of re-
form to which she had become irrevOca-
bly, committed"
il became evident. however, that the
proposed plans were barren OF good re-
suits. No tangible relief WIS afforded the
rccuncentrados, anonS, whom the rate
~ mentality frfalfFu11U InRFag sod the
prolicred CXpedient OF Zones of Cultiva-
Iion proved illUsOry, and 1t was apparent
that nothing save the physical eNhaus-
tiUn of Spain or the CubanS and the prac-
IicIl ruin of the island of Cuba could re-
suit from the struggle then in progress
DESTRUCTION OF THE MAINE.
At this critical Juncturc the ~destruc-
ton of the battIeship Maine occurred.
Concerning it the president says:
III is a striking evidence OF the po1s"
and sturdy good sense distinguishing our
national character that this shocking
blow. falling upon a generous people, al
ready deeply touched ny preceding events
in Cuba, did not move them to an in
slant. desperate resolve to tolerate no
longer the existence of a condition OF
danger and disorder at our doors that
made possible such a deed, by WnOmSo-
ever wrought"
Rc&uming the war narrative, the presi-
dent directs attention to the measures,
including the So, OO0,O 600 appropriation for
national defense, taken TO place the
country on i war footing. and adds: 1t
Is stl,tlGitIt TO say mat the outbreak OF
war, when it did come, found our nation
mot unprepared to meet the conflict"
APPREHENSION BY EUROPEAN
POWERS
reference is made 10 the apprehension
OF coming strife by the continental pow
ers, voiced in the address to the presi-
dent through their ambassadors anu en-
VuES, and to the presidents reply thereto.
Suil animated, however. by the hope of
a peaceful solution of the difficulty, and
obIyinS the dictates of duty. the presi-
dot rA1= NAa M. fin n F1N ntnlr y
speedy ending of the Cuban struggle. Ne
EQUATIONS with the Madrid government
proved futile. so far as practical results
were concerned, and then it was the
president presented the question to con-
grcss. saying: In the name of humanity.
in the name of civilization, in behalf of
endangered American interests, which
give US the right and duty to speak and
to act. the war in Cuba. must stop"
RAJ DECLARATION OF CONGRESS.
tie result of this statement of the case
WAS me adoption of the memorable joint
resolution by congress, declaring the pur-
puSc OF the United States to intervene
between the Spaniards and Cuban. Fol-
lowing swiftly upon the enactment of the
resolution. came the severence of diplo-
matte relations between the two cOun-
tries. the proclamation OF a blockade of
Cuban ports, the call Tor volunteers, and
IN" formal declaration of :he existence
Of Il state of war. Ali other governments
were Immediately notified of the exist
rECr of war and each proclaimed neu-
tIanty. 1T is not among the least graft
flying incidents of the struggle that the
obligations of neutrality were impartfally
discharged. by all, often under delicate
and difficult circumstances
THE PREPARATION FOR WAR.
The president reviews at length the
work of preparation Tor war, referring
particularly To the enlistment of the vol
uGiccrS, to the material increase of the
navy in both men and ships, and to the
precautionary measures taken for the
projection of the seabOard coast and
cities. The aggregate number of mines
placed was LBS. at the principal harbors
from Maine to California"
Referring to the difficult and i'm
portant character" OF the work per-
formed by the signal corps the president
s:rs' This service was invaluable to the
t@r army and navy. With a total force
of over l.3eG. the loss was by disease. in
camp ami field. officers and men included.
~; TO the authorized loan Of $500. 900, 900,
which was taken entirely by small bid
GCTs. the president says: This was 4
rc,t encouraging and significant result.
showing the vast resources of the nation
and The determination of the people to
uphold their COuntry'S honor"
Taking UP chronologiCally the events of
the war, the president reviews them care
fully The first encounter wis the she'll
Ing Of Matanzas on April q This was
fo, ioWed by an engagement which was
DESTINED Ia mark a memorable epoch in
maritime warfare"
This WAS Commodore Dewey's wonder
fuI victory at Manila, on May l. THE eff
IeGI 81 AlliS EeIldI hiDlt victory says the
president. upon the spirit of our people
and upon the fortunes of the war was in
stunt. A prestige of invincihiiity thereby
attached 10 our arms. which continued
throughout the struggle"
The president says that "Only reluc-
lance to cause needless loss of life and
property prevented the early Storming
and capture OF the city Manila), and
herewith the absolute military occupan-
cy of the whole group" Following the
memorable trip of the battleship Oregon
from San Francisco to Key West. and the
bomharGment of San Juan and the forts
of Santiago. to which special reference is
made. the president says:
LIEUT.. HODSON'S EXPLOIT.
1.-THE next act in the war thrilled not
alone the hearts of our countrymen. but
the world, by its exceptional heroism. On
the night OF June 5 Lieut.. Hobson, aided
by seven volunteers, blocked the outlet
from Santiago harbor by sinking the
collier Merrimac in the channel. under a
fierce fire from the shore batteries, eScap-
ing with their lives as by a miracle, but
falling into the hands of the Spaniards.
II is q most gratifying incident of the war
that the bravery of this little band of he
roes was cordially appreciated by tine
Spanish admiral"
THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN.
The campaign of Santiago, resulting
In the investment and capture of that
city, Is referred to as a brilliant achieve
ment. A brief review Is then presented
Of the decisive naval combat of the war
IN July Z, resulting in the complete de-
struction OF Admiral Crevera'S fleet. Con-
PnPnin IL fha nrnaflonA aora III oil