The times., 1898-12-06
TUESDAY. DECEMBER 6, 1855
A Stupid Nessare.

The patriotic member OF Congress
who is eager to do his whole duty and
who is particularly anxious to promote
something that is ardently desired by
the giver of all first-class offices, will
scan the Presidents message in vain for
a suggestion. The avowed purpose of
this document that has been guarded so
carefully from newspaper reporters
who are supposed to have been ready
to commit a moderately criminal act
in order to get at the proof-slips. is 10
enlighten the National Legislature and
suggest things for its consideration. In
both these particulars it is a distinct
failure. Ii the President has told, in
this message, all he knows about the
war with Spain. it is apparent that he
has not read the newspapers with any
care. He seems to be unacquainted
even with some of his own share of the
events leading up To the conflict. Those
who have acquired their knowledge
from the press will recall that although
the President, 'grieved and disappoint-
ed at the barren outcome of his sincere
endeavors' to avoid war. did remit the
whole matter To Congress, he also made
a plea for still another chance at di-
plomacy. However. there are many
more disappointing omissions than
those in relation to tine events preced-
ing the declaration of war. Indeed, of
those things about which the country.
and presumably Congress, most desired
to hear from the President, there is not
word.
It is obvious that the President does
not intend that Congress shall learn of
Tie scandals Of the war until the Com
mission appointed 10 protect Secretary
Alger is ready with its report There
is not hint Of anything in the admin
istration of the war, as described in the
message, that could call for Congress
sional action. So absolute is the silence
on this point, that along with the sta
tistics of the killed and wounded in
battle, there is no mention of the deaths
by disease, a fuli statement o. which
would arouse curiosity. Nothing is said
of the appointment of u Commission,
alleged in the first days of its career to
be in response To general demand for
an investigation into the conduct of the
war. 1t may be recalled that Secretary
Alger. in reply to the charges of in
competency, defects and neglect af-
firmed that our army was called upon
to invade tropical country before
there was time to make preparations
and that the evils were the unavoidable
ever. notes in his message that although
much had to be done, the outbreak of
war found our nation not unprepared
TO meet the conflict"
Considering the comparatively small
space given To the history of the war,
from the message of last December to
The meeting of the Peace Commission.
the message seems to be very long
long enough TO have covered the many
subjects tEat are deftly avoided. The
glorious achievement of the gallant
Dewey, which improved ON the naval
victories that have been the pride of
the nation for years, receives a single
paragraph, in which the enthusiasm
that such revelation of genius and
courage must inspire in the mind and
heart OF every American is sternly re-
pressed. There is no mention of the
service of that great admiral as a
statesman in the critical days that fol-
lowed. 1t must have required great
self-restraint to recite the bore fact cf
Dewey's work without an exhibition of
feeling. The message is lass success
full in conceal.ng the PRIDE IN the de-
struction of Cerveras ships. the credit
of which is given To all who took part,
without invid;ous distinction.
OF suggestions as to The fruits of the
war there is none. The question of
the government of the Philippines is
left for subsequent discussion. when the
treaty shall have been completed. II
is stated that the military government
viii be maintained until the time comes
for Congressional action. The columns
devoted to our relations with other
countries could have lively interest
TO the general public, only in event of
some definite recognition of the English
overtures of special friendship, or posi-
tive Information of the Turkish contro-
Versy, or distinct suggestion of ac-
ton in the matter of the Nicaragua
Canal The President urges Congress
10 do something to meet the condition
created by the giving of a canal fran
chise to another company, but he leaves