The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-12-05
VAP|D TRASH.
McKinley's Second Message
the Weakest Ever Pre-
sented to Congress.
NOT A SIGN OF AN IDEA
Lame Narrative of Common
place Facts Which Every
one Knows.
NO PRETENCE OF A POLICY
Document Wholly Lacking in
Recommendations Regard
ing Conquered Terri
tory.
NO PRETENCE OF A POLICY

lOiy
President McKinley's second annual
message, submitted to Congress today,
contains about twenty thousand words
Following is a brief synopsis-including
some direct excerps of the more import
ant features-of the MESSAGE
Notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered necessary by the war our people
rejoice in a very satisfactory and steadily
increasing degree of prosperity evidenced
by the largest volume OF business ever
recorded. Manufacture has been prodqc-
tive, agricultural pursuits have yielded
abundant returns, labor in ali heius OF
industry is better rewarded. revenue ieS-
islation passed by the present Congress
has increased the treasury's receipts 70
the amount estimated by its authors; the
finances of the government nave peen
successfully administered and It's cfedlt
advanced to the first rank; while Its cur
rency has been maintained at the world
highest standard Military service ullaef
a common flag and for a righteous cause
has strengthened the national spirit ana
served to cement more closely than eyer
the fraternal bonds between every SectloH
of the country
In reviewing the controversy which led
up TO the war with Spain the President
takes up the thread of narrative where 1t
terminated in his last annual message.
He concluded
1T was honestly due to our friend,
be given a reasonable chance to realize
her expectations of reform to which she
had become irrevocably 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 frightfully increased;
the proffered expedient of zones of cul-
tiyation proved illusory, and ii was ap-
parent that nothing save the physical
exhaustion of Spain or the Clbans and
the practical ruin of the Island of Cuba
could result from the struggle then IN
progress.
At this critical juncture the destruc-
tion of the battleship Maine occurred.
Concerning ii the President says
1T is a 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 by preceding
events in Cuba, did not move them 70
an instant, desperate resolve 10 tolerate
no longer the existence of a condition OF
danger and disorder at our doors that
made possible such a deed, by whomso-
ever wrought
Resuming the war narrative, the Presi-
dent directs attention to the measures,
including the fifty million dollars appro-
priation for national defence, taken 70
place the country on a war footing and
adds:-.I is sufficient to say that the
outbreak of war; when it did come, found
our nation not unprepared to meet the
conflict
Reference is made to the apprehension
of coming strife felt by the continental
powers voiced in the address to the
President through their ambassadors and
ENJOYS and to the Presidents reply
thereto. Still animated, however. by the
hope of a peaceful solution Of the diff
Guilty and obeying the dictates of duty,
the President relaxed no effort to bring
about a speedy ending Of the CUBAN
struggle. Negotiations with the Madrid
government proved futile, so far as prac-
tical results We're concerned, and them II
was the President presented the question
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 puf-
pose of the United States to intervene
between the Spanlards and GuDans. Fol
lowing swiftly upon the enactment of the
resolution came severance of diplomatic
relations between the two countries, the
ports. the call for volunteers, and the
formal declaration of the existence of a
state of war. All other governments were
Immediately notified of the existence of
war and each proclaimed neutrality.
1T is not among the least gratifying
incidents of the struggle that the opli-
cations of neutrality were impartially
discharged by all, often under delicate and
difficult circums tances." !" The President re-
views at length the work of preparation
for war, referring particularly to the en-
increase of the navy in both men and
ships, and to the precautionary measures
taken for the projection of the seaboard
coast and cities. The aggregate number
of mines placed was 1535. at the principal
harbors from Maine to California; Re-
ferring to the difficult and Important
character" of the work performed by the
Signal Corps the President says: This
service was invaluable to the Executive
in directing the operations of the army
and. navy. With total force of over
1,300 the loss was by disease. in camp and
field, officers and men included. only five
As to the authorized loan of $500 600 00O
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 up
hold their countrys honor.
Taking up chronologically the events of
the war, the President reviews them
shelling Of Matanzas on April 81 This
was followed by an engagement which
was destined to mark a memorable
epoch in maritime warfare" This was
at Manila, on May /. 1.-THE effect Of this
remarkable victory, says the President,
the fortunes Of the war was instant.
The prestige Of invincibility thereby at
tached to our arms which continued
throughout the struggle The President
less loss of life and property prevented
the early storn1ing and capture of the
city CMania}, and there with the abso-
lutte military occupancy of the whole
Following the memorable trip of the
battieship 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 The next act in the war thrilled
but the world, by its exceptional hero
ism. On the night of June 8, Lieutenant
Hobson. aidsd by seven devoted volln-