Griggs courier., 1898-12-08
The MESSAGE
President's Annual Communica-
tion to Congress Duly Laid
Before That Body.
War With Spain and Its Ont
come the Principal Topic
Discussed.
Recommends ations Regarding Our
New Possessions Will Be
Made Later.

increase In Army ana Navy---Nlc-
aragua Canal-Currency
Legislation.
To the Senate and House Of Representa-
tives:
Notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered necessary by the war, our people
rejoice in very satisfactory and steadily
increasing degree of prosperity evidenced
by the largest volume of business ever re-
corded. Manufacture has been productive,
agricultural pursuits have yielded abund-
ant returns, labor in the fields of industry is
betterrewarded, revenue legislation passed
by the present congress has increased the
treasury's receipts to the amount esti-
mated by its authors: the finances of the
government have been successfully ad-
ministered and it's credit advanced to the
first rank, while its currency has been
maintained at the worlds highest stand
ard Military service, under a common
flag and for righteous cause, has
strengthened the national spirit and
served to cement more closely than ever
the fraternal bonds between every section
of the country.
A review of the relations of the
United States to other powers, always ap-
propriate, is this year of primary impor.
tance in view of the momentous issues
which have arisen demanding in one in
stance the ultimate determination by
arms and involving far reaching conse-
quences which will require the earnest at
tention of hecongress.
In my last annual message very full
consideration was given to the question
of the duty of the government of the
United States towards Spain and the Gu
ban insurrection US being by far the most
important problem with which we were
then called upon to deal.
The considerations then advanced and
the exposition of the views therein ex-
pressed, disclosed my sense of the extreme
gravity of the situation. Setting aside as
logically unfounded, or practically inad-
missible, the recognition of the Cuban in
surgents as belligerents, the recognition
of independence of Cuba, as neutral inter-
vention to end war by imposing a rational
compromise between the contestants, in
tervcntion in favor of one or the other
party and forcible annexation Of
the island, I concluded it was
honestly due to our friendly relations
with Spain that she should be given a
reasonable chance to realize her expecta-
tions of reform to which she had be-
come irrcvocably committed. Within a
few weeks previously she had announced
comprehensive plans which it was conf
IDENTIFY asserted would be efficacious to
remedy the evils so deeply affecting our
own country, SO injurious to the true
interests of the mother country, as we'll
as to those of Cuba, and so repugnant to
the universal sentiment of humanity.
Little Sign of Real Progress.
The ensuing months brought little sign
of real progress toward the pacifcation of
Cuba. The destruction of the Maine in
Havana harbor and the suspicious nature
of the catastrophe made continuance of
the existing conditions impossible. New
ertheless, the instinct of justice prevailed
and the nation awaited the result of the
searching investigation set on foot. The
result of this investigation was antici-
pated, even before the finding Of the naval
court had been made public and it needed
but a brief executive suggestion for the
congress to appropriate $50, 1000, 600 "for
the national defense and for each and
every purpose connected Herewith, to be
expended at the discretion of the presi-
dent
The president then details the negotia
tions with Spain to the end that war
might be averted and the attempt to re-
lievc the distress in Cuba
Negotiations continued for some little
time at Madrid, resulting in offers by the
Spanish government which could not but
be regarded as inadequate. Grieved and
disappointed at this barren outcome of my
sincere endeavors to reach a practicable
solution, felt it my duty to remit the
whole question to the congress-
again reviewed the alternative course
Of action which had proposed, conclud-
ing that the only one consonant with in
ternational policy and compatible with
our tirm-set historical traditions was in.
tervention as neutral to stop the war
and check the hopeless sacrifice of life,
even though that resort involved "hostile
constraint upon both the parties to the
contest as we'll to enforce a truce as to
guide the eventual settlement"
Grounds of Justification.
The grounds justifying that step were
the interests of humanity; the duty to
protect life and property of our citizens
In Cuba; the right to check injury to our
commerce and people through the devas.
tation of the island, and, most important,
the need of removing at once and forever
the constant menace and the burdens en-.
tailed upon our government by the uncer-
tainties and perils of the situation caused
by the unendurable disturbance in Cuba
In view of all this the congress was
asked to authorize and empower the
president to take measures to secure q full
and final termination of hostilities be.
tween Spain and the people Of Cuba and
to secure to the island the establishment
of stable government, capable of main.
tanning order and observing its interna
tional obligations, insuring peace and
tranquility and the security of its citi
zens as our own, and for the accomplish
ment of those ends to use the military and
naval forces of the United States as might
be necessary, with added authority to
continue generous relief to the starving
people Of Cuba.
The president then reviews the debate
in congress upon the Cuban resolutions
the notification sent to Spain and the
presenting of his passports to General
Woodford. The proclamation of a state
of war, the blockade of Cuban ports, the
calls for volunteers and the responst