The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1898-12-15

REVIEWS IN DETAIL QUA VICTORIOUS
WAR WITH SPAIN.

REVIEWS IN DETAIL QUA VICTORIOUS
WAR WITH SPAIN.
PLEDGES lnAepeaaesee Fer the CO.
baas-PhSttpDlne Qaesston Left Fer
Cossi1erasiSa 81 CengPess-Aecsaa-
needs Increase IN Army aaA Navy.
The annual message Of President Nc
kiniey was presented at the opening
Of the final session Of the Fifty NTH
congress on Monday. By way Ct In
PRODUCTION the president says:
Notwithstanding the added burdens rem
dered necessary by the war our people
rejoice in a very satisfactory and steadily
degree OF prosperity. evidenced
by the largest volume of business ever re-
corded.
Manufacture has been productive. agri-
cultural pursuits have yielded abundant
feturns. labor in all fields of industry IL
better rewarded. revenue legislation pass
ed by the present congress has increased
the treasury's receipts to the amount es-
timated by its authors the finances Of the
government have been successfully Ad-
ministered and it's credit advanced to the
first rank. while It's currency has been
at the worlds highest stand
ard
md - q righteous cause has strength
ened the national spirit and served to ce
ment more closely than ever the fraternal
bonds between every section of the coun-
try.
Review Of the War.
The president reviews the war with
Spain at great length. In referring to
the controversy with Spain which led
up to the war he takes up the thread
OF the narrative where 1t terminated In
his last annual message and concludes:
1t was honestly due to our friendly rela-
tions with Spain that she should be given
a reasonable chance to realize her expec-
tations Of reform, to which she had be-
come irrevocably committed.
1t became evident. however. that the
proposed plans were barren Of good re-
suits. No tangible relief was afforded the
reconcentrados, among whom the rate OF
mortality frightfully increased. The prof
fered expedient of zones of cultivation
proved illusory, and it was apparent that
nothing save the physical exhaustion OF
Spain or the Cubans and the practical
ruin of the island of Cuba could result
from the struggle then in progress.
Resuming the war narrative, the
president directs attention to the meas
ures, including the voting without op-
position of an appropriation Of $50. .O00.-
600, taken to place the country on a war
footing, and adds:
1t is sufficient to say that the outbreak
Of war. when it did come. found our ma
ton not unprepared to meet the conflict.
The wreck Of the battleship Maine in
Havana harbor is thus referred to:
1t is a striking evidence Of the poise and
sturdy good sense distinguishing our ma
tionaf character that this shocking blow,
falling upon generous people already
deeply touched by preceding events in
Cuba. did not move them to an instant.
desperate resolve to tolerate no longer the
existence of a condition Of danger and
disorder at our doors that made possible
such deed by whomsoever wrought.
Efforts to Avert War.
Reference is made to the apprehen-
sion Of coming strife felt by the con-
tinental powers, voiced in the address
to the president through their embas-
sadors and ENJOYS and to the presi-
dents reply thereto. Still animated.
however, by the hope Of a peaceful So
luton of the difficulty and obeying the
dictates of duty the president relaxed
no effort to bring about a speedy end
ing of the Cuban struggle.
Negotiations with the Madrid gov
ernment proved futile so far as prac-
tical results were concerned. and then
it was the president presented the Ques-
ton to congress, 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.
The result of this statement Of the
case was the adoption of the memorable
joint resolution by congress declaring
the purpose Of the United States te
intervene between the Spaniards and
Cubans. Following swiftly upon the
enactment Of the resolution came the
severance of diplomatic relations be-
tween the two countries, the proclama.
ton of blockade of Cuban ports, tht
call for volunteers and the formal dec.
laration of the existence of a state ol
war. All other governments were i'm
mediately notified of the existence ol
war and each proclaimed neutrality
The president says:
1t is not among the least gratifying in
cidents of the struggle that the obliga
tions Of neutrality were impartially dis
charged by ALL often under delicate ant
difficult circumstances.
The president reviews at length thu
particularly to the enlistment Of thu
volunteers, to the material increase o
the navy in both men and ships, and t.
the protection of the seaboard coas
! and cities.
The Popular Bond Issue.
AS to the authorized loan Of $2O0. 90,
600 which was taken entirely by small
bidders, the president says:
This was a most encouraging and sig
| of the nation and the determination Of tn
people to uphold their countrys honor.
Taking up chronologically the event
| Of the war. the president reviews then
carefully. The first encounter was tn
! was followed by an engagement whicl
was destined to mark a memorabl
epoch in maritime warfare"
This was Commodore Dewey's won
! derful victory at Manila on May /. 9TH
: effect Of this remarkable victory" say
, the president, upon the spirit OF on
! people and upon the fortunes of the wa
was instant. The prestige Of invincibili
] ty thereby attached to our arms whic
: continued throughout the struggle"
| The president says that "only reluc
! tance to cause needless loss of life an
property prevented the early stormin
and capture of the city (Manila), an
herewith the absolute military occu
pancy Of the whole group"
Following the memorable trip of th
bat.leship Oregon from San Francisc
to Key West and the bombardment {
San Juan and the forts Of Santiago, til
president makes special reference (
the sinking of the Merrimac by Lieuten
: ant Hobson and his crew az the ne1
act in the war which thrilled not alon
the hearts Of our countrymen, but tn
world, by its exceptional heroism.'
The campaign of Santiago. resultin
in the investment and capture Of ths
city, Is referred to as brilliant achieve
ment. A brief review is then presente
Of the decisive naval combat Of the wa
on July 8, resulting In the complete d.
struction Of Admiral Cervera's Zee
Concerning 1t the president says:
Where all 30 conspicuously distinguish
ed themselves. from the commanders