Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-12-08

: 1T was Il llOSl llIlltly en-
abling the government to strengthen its
defenses and make preparations greatly
needed in case of war.
This fund being inadequate to the re-
quirements of equipment and for the
conduct of the war, the patriotism OF
the congress provided the means in the
war revenue act of June IS by author
izing a per cent popular loan not to
exceed $400 000,0 900 and by levying addi-
tional imposts and taxes. OF the ST
thorized loan 5000 200, 900 was offered
and promptly taken, the subscriptions
so far exceeding the call as to cover 1t
many times over, while preference be-
ing given to the smaller bids no single
allotment exceeded $1,000. This was a
/ most encouraging and significant result,
showing the vast resources of the ma
ton, and the determination of the peo-
pie to uphold their country's honor.
The message then recites the salient
| features in the history of the war and
continues:
The total casualties in killed ard
wounded in the army during the war
with Spain were: officers killed. 90: en-
listed men killed, 25T; total, $50; officers
wounded, {13; enlisted men wounded,
/ ,464 total, 1877. OF the navy: Killed,
II; wounded, 81; died as result of
wounds. l. invalided from service, G;
total, 81.
1t will be observed hat while our ma
Wy was engaged in two great battles
and in numerous perilous undertakings
in blockade and bombardment and more
than $4,000 of our troops were trans
ported to distant lands and were en-
gagged in assault and siege and battle
and many skirmishes in unfamiliar ter
ritory, we lost in both arms of the serv-
ice a total of 1,668 killed and wounded,
and in the entire campaign by land and
sea we did not lose a gun or a flag or Il
! transport or a ship, and, with the ex-
ception of the crew of the Merrimac
not a soldier or sailor was taken pris-
oner
On Aug 7, 46 days from the date Of
the landing of General Skaters army
in Cuba and q days from the surrender
OF Santiago, the United States troops
commenced embarkation for home. and
our entire force was returned to the
United States as early as Aug. "a. They
were absent from the United States
! only two months.
Tribute Paid.
The president then pays tribute II
| that portion of the army which was
kept in camp in the United States and
also to the work Of the Red Cross soct-
ETY.. He recognizes the hand of God in
| the war in these words:
| In tracing these events we are con-
| stantly reminded of our obligations to
the divine Master for his watchful care
over us and his safe guidance, for
which the nation makes reverent ac-
acknowledgement and offers humble pray
er for the continuance of his favor.
The message continues by detailing
the steps taken in the formation of the
protocol, the issuance of the p"oclama-
ton suspendng hostilities and the mus
tering out of the volunteers the forma-
ton of the evacuation commissions n
Porto Rico and Cuba and the appoint
ment of the peace commission. The
| president then says:
| do not discuss at this time the gov
ernment or the future of the new pos
sessions which will come to us as the
result of the war with Spain. Such
discussion will be appropriate after the
treaty of peace shall be ratified. In
the meantime and until the congress
has legislated otherwise 1t will be my
duty to continue the military govern
ments which have existed since our oc-
cupation and give to the people security
N life and property and encouragement
lnder just and beneficent rule.
AS soon as we are in possession of Gu
ba and have pacited the island it will
be necessary to give aid and direction
20 its people to form government for
! themselves This should be undertaken
at the earliest moment consistent with
safety and assured success. 1t Is i'm
portant that our relations with this
people shall be of the most friendly
character and our commercial relations
close and reciprocal. 1t should be our
duty to assist in every proper way to
ouild up the waste places Of the island,
encourage the industry of the people
ana assist them to form government
which shall be free and independent,
thus realizing the best aspirations of
:he Cuban people.
Must BE just Government.
Spanish rule must be replaced by
Just benevolent and humane govern
ment created by the people of Cuba ca
pable of performing all International
obligations and which shall encourage
thrift, industry and prosperity and
promote peace and good will among all
OF the inhabitants whatever may have
been their relations In the past. Nei-
Ni'SA i0'ShSt ilol passion SnOulQ nave q
place in the new government Until
there is complete tranquility in the is
land and stable government inaugu-
rated military occupation will be con-
tinued
With the one exception of the rup-
ture with Spain the intercourse of the
United States with the great family of
nations has been marked with cordial
ity, and the close Of the eventful year
finds most of the issues that necessarily
arise in the complex relations of sover-
eign states adjusted or presenting no
serious obstacle to just and honora BILE
solution by amicable agreement.
The message, after touching on the
Argentine-Chile boundary question and
the subject Of an international cable
agreement, speaks of the Lattimer shoot
ing on Sept. 10, 1897, and expresses the
hope that Austria Hungarys claim for
indemnity for its subjects then slain
will be satisfactorily adjusted. The
success of American exhibits at the
Brussels fair of 1897 is mentioned The
history of the formation of the United