Times-promoter., 1898-12-10

Honorable Treaty of Peace with Spain.
Washington, Dec. 5.--President Nc
kinley's second annual message, sub
mitted to congress, contains about 90
900 words. Following is 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 steadiy-increasing degree
of prosperity evidenced by the largest
volume of business ever recorded. Manu-
factures have been productive, agricul-
tural pursuits have yielded abundant re-
better rewarded, revenue legislation
passed by the present congress has IN
creased the treasury's receipts to the
amount estimated by its authors; the
finances of the government have been sue
cessfully administered and it's credit ad-
ranced to the first rank; while its cur
rency has been maintained at the world s
highest standard. Military service under
common flag and for a righteous cause
has strengthened the national spirit, and
served to cement more closely than ever
the fraternal 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
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 irreyoca-
bly, committed
1t became evident, however, that the
proposed plans We're barren of good re-
suits. No tangible relief was afforded the
reConcentradOs among whom the rate
of mortality frightfuily increased; the
proffered eXpedient of zones of cult!va-
ton proved illusory and it was apparent
that nothing save the physical exhaus-
tion of Spain or the Cubans and the prac-
tical ruin of the island of Cuba could re-
suit from the struggle then in progress
DESTRUCTION OF THE MAINE.
Az this critical juncture the destruc-
tion of the battleshp Maine occurred
Concerning it the president says:
1T is striking evidence OF the poise
and sturdy good sense distinguishing our
national character that this shocking
blow, falling upon a generous people, al
ready deeply touched Dy preceding events
in Cuba, did not move them to an in
Stant, desperate resolve to tolerate no
longer the existence of a condition OF
danger and disorder at our doors that
made possible such deed, by whomso-
ever wrought.
Resuning the war narrative, the presi-
dent directs attention to the measures
including the $5COOO,OOO appropriation for
national defense, taken to place the
country on war footing, and adds: ut
is sufficient to say that the outbreak OF
war, when it did come, found our nation
not unprepared to meet the conflict"
APPREHENSION BY EUROPEAN
POWERS.
Reference is made to the apprehension
of coming strife by the continental pow
10 tln II
dent through their ambassadors and en-
voys, and to the presidents reply thereto.
Still animated, however, by the hope Of
q peaceful solution of the difficulty. and
obeying the dictates of duty, the pres-
dent relaxed no effort to bring about a
speedy ending of the Cuban struggle Ne
gotiations with the Madrid government
proved futile, so far as practical results
were concerned and then it was the
president presented the question to con-
gress saying: I'm the name of humanity,
in the name of civilization, in behalf of
endangered American interests, which
give us the right and duty to speak ard
to act. the war in Cuba must stop"
THE DECLARATION OF CONGRESS.
The result of this statement of the case
was lne adoption of the memorable joint
resolution by congress-, declaring the pur-
pose of the United States to intervene
between the Spanards 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
the formal declaration of the existence
of state of war All other governments
were Immediately notified of the exist
ence of war and each proclaimed neu-
trality. 1T is not among the least grati-
Tying Incidents Of the struggle that the
obligations of neutrality were impartially
discharged by all, often un scr delicate
and difficult circumstances
THE PREPARATION FOR WAR.
The president reviews at length the
work of preparation for war, referring
unteers, to the material increase of the
navy in both men and ships, and to the
precautionary measures taken for the
protection of the seaboard coast and
cities. "The aggregate number of mines
placed was 1.535, at the principal harbors
from Maine to California"
Referring to the Of difficult fba wors aqd @
formed by the signal corps the president
says: "This service was Invaluable to the
executive in directing the, operations of
of over 1906. the loss was by disease, in
camp and held, officers and men included
only five"
AS to the authorized loan of 5000, 900, 900.
which was taken entirely by small bid
,ders the president says: This was a
most 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, was the she'll
ing of Matanzas on April q. This was
followed by an engagement which was
DESTINED to mark a memorable epoch In
maritime warfare.
DEWEY'S WONDERFUL VICTORY.
This was Commodore Dewey's wonder
full victory at Manila, on May |. 1.-The eff
feet of this remarkable victory says the
president, upon the spirit of our people
and upon the fortunes of the war was in
slant. A prestige Of nvineblhlity thereby
attached to our arms. which continued
throughout the struggle.
The president says that Only reluc-
tance 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
bombardment Of San Juan and the forts
of Santiago, to which special reference Is
made the president says:
LIEUT.. HOBSON'S EXPLOIT.
..The next act in the war thrilled not
alone the hearts of our countrymen, Dut
the world by its exceptional herolSm On
the night of June Lieut. Hobson, aided
nv seven volunteers, blocked the outlet
from Santiago harbor by sinking the
collier Merrimac in the channel, under
fierce fire from the shore batteries, escap--
faIinr into the hands of the Spaniards.
It is a most gratifying incident of the war
that the bravery of this little band OF he
rnes was cordially appreciated by the
Spanish admiral
THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN.
The campaign of Santiago, resulting
in the investment and capture OF that
city. is referred to as II brilliant achieve,
ment A brief review Is then presentea
Of the decisive naval combat of the war
on July 3, resulting in the complete de-
struction Of Admiral Crevera's S fleet. Con,
cerning 1t the president says: WI mere an
W 'I'-'o lintir,1 r,1rIiichnl tlRm-